HE-MAN
and the
MASTERS of the UNIVERSE:
REVELATION

Episode #5:
THE FOREST AT THE FORGE OF FOREVER

VOICE CAST:
Ron Perlman as Man-At-Arms/Duncan
Susan Eisenberg as Sorceress
Laura Bailey as Teela
David Koechner as Vikor
Christopher McCulloch as Skeletor
Brian Dobson as Skelegod
Brian Drummond as Stinkor
Dennis Haysbert as King Primus Grayskull
Dolph Lundgren as King D'Vann Grayskull
Lena Headey as Evil-Lyn
Phil LaMarr as He-Ro
Greg Berger as Roboto
Jim Cummings as Beast Man
Paul Dobson as Tri-Klops
Kevin Michael Richardson as Cringer
Tiffany Smith as Andra
Cree Summer as Kuduk Ungol
Jay Tavare as Wundar
Harley Quinn Smith as Illeena
Crispin Freeman as Adam
April Winchell as Scorpia
and Frank Langella as Eldor

Adam finished his carving, and placed the chisel and hammer to the side. He gazed down at his handiwork—a tiny little headstone with Orko's signature emblem adorning it.

"...I know that not everyone thought much of you, or brushed you off as the royal goofball…" he said, trying not to cry. "...but it's ironic; you've bailed me out more often than not. In fact...without you, there wouldn't have been a He-Man and Battlecat. That day, in the tar swamp, when I was little…you saved me and Cringer. And for that, I'll always be grateful. I just wish I could've saved you this time."

[As seen in Creatures from the Tar Swamp, penned by Richard Pardee and Paul Dini]

"You were loyal and kind, always willing to help even when things were going wrong," said Teela, as she laid the scrap of the scarf before the headstone. "I understand that sometimes your tricks would get on Father's last nerve…but I hope you understand that he never meant any malice. He did care about you—he just didn't want you getting in over your head, is all."

Next up was Lyn, who removed her helmet and placed it before the gravestone. "Some would call you a fool…but I suppose I could call you 'tenacious'," she said. "When things looked their darkest, or even when we faced off…you still never backed down or ran away. In spite of your blunders, your defeats, you kept standing up against me. Honestly? That's really quite impressive. I suppose that in a way, you really DID earn the name 'Orko the Great'."

Last up was Beast Man. "Ya really pulled off somethin' spectacular, didn't you, runt?" he commented. "Honestly, all I thought of you wuz that you were some kinda pint-sized wimp…but I guess Trap-Jaw and I learned not to underestimate you after that time we tried to take ya prisoner." he chuckled at the memory.

[He's not just blowing smoke, folks. It happened in the Season 2 episode "Orko's Return", written by J. Larry Carroll.]

After Beast Man said his piece, Andra bowed her head. "I barely got to know you, little guy…but you were one of the most interesting people I've ever met," she said.

"You displayed qualities befitting a Master of the Universe," said Adam, wiping his eyes. "...and we'll all miss you, little buddy."

After a few minutes, some Trollan flowers grew around the gravestone.

"Thank you!" called Adam.

Teela looked on, surprised. "Valternia can do that?" she asked.

Adam shook his head. "No," he replied. "But it helps to have a friend."

Within the forests, a cloaked, bearded old man gave a nod and closed his spellbook before he walked off.

As Evil-Lyn watched, she looked down to see her wand glowing and whispering.

Restore the magic…save Eternia…Sword of Power…

One thing was for sure—it was beginning to flicker out. The Orb of Power's magic wouldn't last long.

"Alright, we need to get the Sword re-forged," she spoke up, glancing at the others. "And after that, we have to go."

"If it's a Sword you're looking for, it's a sword you'll have," said Adam as he pulled the Blade of Light from his shirt and handed it over. "You could even ask He-Ro for help re-forging it."

Andra did a double-take. "...hold on a second," she prompted. "You're telling me that the He-Ro is up here?"

"For all eternity…same as you guys now," said Adam, his look dour. "The doorway to Valternia is strictly one-way."

"So that means…" Andra began before Adam answered. "Mm-hm! One way in, no way out. Although…I might know one way. I'll need your help, though, Teela."

"Oh? What do you have in mind, Adam?" the blonde warrior asked.

"Just…follow me, okay?" Adam said as he headed off.

Teela watched for a few minutes, then handed the swords off to Roboto. "Go ahead…make us a Power Sword," she instructed.

If Roboto had a mouth, it would be smiling. "It would be my pleasure…sister," he responded.

That being done, Teela walked off with Adam.

Soon, they were both walking down a clear pathway in the woods. Of course, five minutes went by without either of them saying a word to each other.

At least a few glances were shared between them, however.

"...so…" began Teela. "...all those times you had to excuse yourself, or go for help…"

Adam looked lower than a centipede's ankles. "...yeah…" he responded.

"You know, Adam..." Teela began. "If you had told me you were He-Man, I gladly would have kept your secret."

"Maybe…but it wasn't my secret to tell," Adam replied. "...not to mention, if someone knew that you knew. Just thinking about what they'd do to get that information sickens me. Some days I wish I'd never held that sword or said those words."

"Well, for what it's worth, if I had known just how brave you truly were, I guess I wouldn't have given you such a hard time," responded Teela.

Adam sighed. "I know I had a destiny, a duty," he continued. "But that meant having to lie to almost everyone I knew."

"...well, not your mother," Teela responded.

"What do you mean, not my—" Adam stopped mid-sentence. "...did she know?"

"Somehow," Teela replied. "Maybe it was her intuition."

"Well, that's a small weight off of my mind," the young prince said. "I bet Dad's hoarse with anger. And that's not even getting to you! …if you hated me, I wouldn't even blame you. More than I deserve."

"No, Adam," the blonde swordswoman replied. "I don't hate you."

Adam raised a brow as he ducked under a tree trunk. "Why?" he asked. "You've got more than enough reason to."

"While I am upset that you lied to me for so long, I could never harbor any kind of animosity towards you." Teela admitted.

"Well, you hate me less than I do," Adam shrugged. "So there's something."

"Adam, I've never said this before…but you mean a lot to me," Teela said. "You always have, since we were little. And…for what it's worth, I'm sorry."

"For what?" Adam inquired.

"All those times I belittled or commented on your supposed cowardice," Teela responded. "I shouldn't have doubted you so often. Being compared to your alter-ego probably didn't help things."

"Teela, I had no idea you felt this way," Adam stated. "I guess that means I should reveal something, too."

"What is it, Adam?" the warrior woman asked.

"Well, it's not easy to explain," the young prince spoke again. "What I mean to say is—"

"IN-COMIIIIIIING!" bellowed a voice that was swiftly approaching. As Adam and Teela hit the dirt, they looked overhead to see a massive green lion with battle armor atop its head leaping over the downed tree. When the lion landed, they saw that atop it was someone who looked almost like He-Man, but with longer blonde hair, a furry cape, and a pouch attached to his loincloth, along with two swords hanging off his back.

"To be continued, I guess," Adam said as he shrugged his shoulders.

Teela blinked in bewilderment. "...who was that?" she asked.

Adam smiled for the first time in a while. "That…would be D'vann of Grayskull," he responded. "The second to bear the title of King, mind you."

"Wow!" Teela exclaimed, utterly speechless.

"That…is just one of the few who are up here," Adam said as he took out two Hover Disks. "So whaddyou say we catch up?"

"Let's do it!" Teela answered eagerly as she hopped aboard her hover disk, with Adam following suit.

One by one, they took off into the air, and soared off.

ELSEWHERE, AT GRAYSKULL TOWER…

The legendary He-Ro had faced more than his fair share of cosmic conundrums…he'd battled ferocious giants…struggled against the Snake-Men…but these two swords he clutched in his hands were among some of the most perplexing of all.

"I still can't believe we're in the presence of He-Ro himself," Andra gushed, practically about to burst from sheer joy. "He fought the Horde invaders and defended the free people right beside the second King Grayskull!"

"Was that before or after the Snake-Men?" Stinkor inquired, taking notes. "I don't know why, but I always get that detail mixed up."

"I will admit, my beliefs have been challenged as well," responded He-Ro as he placed the blades down.

"So, who do you make of it?" asked Roboto.

"I've witnessed many things that defied explanation when I was a breathing man," He-Ro replied. "But the conduit, cleaved in twain? This is inconceivable!"

"The real question is, can it be rebuilt?" queried Scorpia.

"This was forged by Trollan mage-smiths thousands of years ago," explained He-Ro. "It is no trifling thing."

"Perhaps I could lend a hand," Roboto said as he opened his chest cavity. "My heart happens to be a quark collider."

He-Ro bent down to take a look, amazed. "That's very clever, metal man," he commented. "But what would contain it? Even the Forge at Grayskull could scarcely—"

Suddenly, Andra was struck by inspiration. "What about this place?" she asked, her eyes darting around. "The walls are made of Eternium, right? Is there a lockdown procedure?"

The Most Powerful Wizard in the Universe gave a curious smile. "What terrible design have you in store?" he asked.

Andra whirled around. "Our forge…shall be…THE TOWER!" she declared, as thunder rumbled overhead.

BACK IN THE WOODS…

Adam and Teela were neck and neck, just inches away from catching up with D'Vann, when suddenly, out of the sky came another racer on a Sky Sled. This one was a man wearing a horned helmet, a necklace of bones, leather boots and a fur cape.

"Vikor!" exclaimed Adam. "This is Teela! She's a friend!"

Vikor gave a quick wave. "Well-met, Teela!" he called before he revved his engine and flew ahead.

Teela then spotted a woman who looked almost like the spitting image of her mother—albeit in more tribal-type clothing, and riding a feather-armed dinosaur as a mount.

"...Sorceress?" she muttered.

"Once, yes," the woman replied. "My name is Kuduk Ungol, but please, call me Kuduk."

Teela nodded, still reeling from this.

"Now, with that out of the way, I hope you brought an appetite," Kuduk smiled as she jiggled the reins, prompting her mount to hasten its speed. "Because you're about to, as they say, eat my dust!"

"Oh, you are so on!" Teela said in response as she sped up. Rounding a corner through the woods, she caught some air off a rock, and zoomed through the trees nearby, surfing on the branches like she was Tarzan.

Adam was getting closer to Kuduk, but her mount grabbed him by the back of his shirt, and tossed him like a ragdoll into the air, hover disk and all.

Teela bounced off the tree trunk, struck Vikor's Sky Sled, and grabbed Adam in mid-air.

"Coming in high?" he asked.

Teela smirked. "Caught you low."

Then, she clutched Adam's hand and swung him in Kuduk's direction. "Swing you around…" she began.

Adam fired off the thrusters, causing Kuduk to reel back. "And away we go!" he finished as he came back next to Teela, and bumped fists with her.

As they sped up, they passed by a brunette male clad in black chest armor, riding a dinosaur mount, who tugged on the reins, making his dinosaur stop.

"Who was that?" asked Teela.

"Wun-Dar," responded Adam, seconds before he and Teela veered over a cliff. Sure, they might not fall, but the cliff was pretty damned scary.

Thinking quickly, Teela activated her grappler and shot it off, wrapping it around the dinosaur mount's tail. Swinging around, she grabbed Adam and they jetted back to the top of the cliff.

In spite of the brief moment of fright, Teela couldn't help but laugh…and Adam couldn't help but smile at the sight of it. It had been a long time since he'd seen her laugh. In fact, it'd been a long time since he'd seen her, period.

"Look! We're almost to the front!" he called.

"Oh, yeah!" Teela laughed. "Nobody's gonna stop us!"

Adam's eyes widened. "Well, there might be someone," he replied as a rumbling shook the ground.

"Who do you—" began Teela, before…

SKRA-BOOM!

Out of the brush emerged the Bionatops, being ridden by a large, dark-skinned man with a battle harness like D'Vann's, along with a furry cape and boots.

Teela silently gestured to the large man, then looked at Adam.

"That…would be King Grayskull the First, aka Primus," explained the blonde.

[Special thanks to Gbagok for figuring out a way to include both the Revelation King Grayskull and the 2002 King Grayskull! Kudos, man!]

"It would appear that I am the victor," Primus smiled as D'Vann arrived on Battle Lion.

"And that makes...206," D'Vann rolled his eyes, before his adoptive father pulled him into a noogie.

"Come now, son," Primus chuckled. "There's no shame in coming in second place!"

"Father, I really wish you wouldn't do that," commented D'Vann.

Releasing his son, Primus looked up at Teela. "You flew well," he told her. "You must have died a truly glorious death!"

Immediately, Teela tried to explain, but she could barely get her words out. "Oh! I didn't—I'm not—I came in desperation to beseech you to…" she began.

"Looks as though we've brought spoils of the hunt!" called Vikor as he, Kuduk, and Wun-Dar brought Adam over [Vikor had him on his shoulders].

Primus smirked. "Welcome to the winners' circle…Flea-man!" he greeted.

D'Vann sighed. "Father, please do not call him that," he insisted. "It's so undignified."

"Nonsense!" Primus clapped his adoptive son on the back. "It's all in good fun."

While Vikor gave Adam a noogie, Wun-Dar laughed. "We call him that because he's small, y'see!" he declared.

"Yes, we understand, Wun-Dar," responded D'Vann.

"We choose our forms here," Primus explained. "And no great champion ever chose their lesser self…until Adam."

Teela looked a little perturbed. "...well, I wouldn't really say he's 'lesser'..." she murmured.

SOME HOURS LATER…

Night had fallen upon Valternia, and within the forest a campfire blazed. Many Eternian heroes talked amongst each other, and Adam was in the middle of a story, talking to Kuduk, Primus and Vikor.

"...and when he comes out, it's a big purple rabbit!" he exclaimed, eliciting much laughter from the ancient heroes.

[Hey, He-Fans, can you guess who Adam is talking about? Put your answers in the comments, but separate them from your reviews.]

"So someone shattered the Orb?" asked D'Vann, sitting at the campfire with Teela. "The Sword of Power was forged to protect the Orb…of course, I was second to wield it, after my father."

"I see," Teela responded. "So…why do you guys choose to stay in your…powered forms?"

"To do otherwise would be a reminder of when we were weak and helpless," responded D'Vann. "And none of us wants to go back to those days."

First, he pointed at Vikor. "He was the son of Vulkan, a chieftain of a barbarian tribe. Vikor was always small, scrawny and too weak to wield a battle axe for any more than gathering firewood. One day, Vikor went out to prove his worth as a barbarian warrior by hunting down and killing a night cat, a dangerous animal that was a sworn enemy of those who lived in the wilds. He found a wounded night cat, but decided there was no honor in killing an animal that couldn't fight back. He nursed the night cat back to health and found that it was intelligent and very grateful for his help. Vikor named it 'Catamount' because it would allow him to ride on its back. He thought his tribe would be impressed when he came in riding a night cat, but he was banished for befriending an enemy instead. Vikor and Catamount made it on their own for awhile. Living in the wilderness, they knew nothing of the death or even much of the life of King Grayskull. When the Goddess appeared to Vikor, he wasn't sure why she was entrusting him with the Sword of He, but he was glad she did when he transformed. He almost never transformed back."

Next, he pointed at Wun-Dar. "Darwun was abandoned at an orphanage in the subterranean city of Tundaria as a baby with nothing, not even a blanket. He was barely fed and often hired out to work. When he was 12, he was bought by a baker who wanted a servant. Darwun took it in stride. He'd work hard and dealt fairly with customers, unlike his master who had a tendency to cheat people. Of his tasks, he preferred deliveries as it got him out of the hot bakery, away from the cruel baker and sometimes his customers would give him tips. Darwun was saving up to buy his freedom. He was on his way back from a delivery and about to take a break and eat a loaf he had saved for himself, when he found an old woman fainted by the road. When she told him she hadn't eaten in days, Darwun gave her his bread. The woman turned out to be The Goddess in disguise and she had an important job for him. Upon his transformation, Darwun changed his name to Wun-Dar and never went back."

Finally, he pointed at Kuduk. "And she was born into a coven of witches who looked down on her for having a speech impediment that made it hard for her to cast spells. Kuduk had a talent for caring for hunting falcons, who she could signal more easily by whistles than her voice anyway. Kuduk tried endearing herself to the coven by sharing the prey her falcons caught. Usually, she received a bone thrown at her for her trouble. One day, Kuduk found a wild falcon entangled in a net. She freed it, and was surprised to see it bow to her. The falcon circled Kuduk and seemed to want her to follow it. Kuduk followed the falcon to a grand castle. The falcon was the Goddess in disguise. Kuduk had been chosen to be the guardian of Castle Grayskull and given the ability to do magic without spoken words."

As the flames crackled, D'Vann stared into them. "The other heroes in Preternia never knew love or respect, even from themselves, until they were given strength and power," he said. "While your Adam may not have been big and powerful, he had friends, family, a good home to live in and a loyal companion. Even if his friends and family occasionally gave him a hard time, it was out of a place of love. And yet…perhaps he doesn't feel that he deserves the power. Maybe he sees being stuck in his mortal form for eternity as his ultimate penance."

[Special thanks to TV Tropes' WMG page for the information.]

Teela sat in silence, contemplating that which she had just been told.

…of course, she'd need to put a pin in that. "So…is there a way out of here?" she asked.

"Yes," nodded D'Vann. "There's a gate within my tower that issues to the outskirts of the castle in your dimension. I will take you there."

"So you've never used it?" asked Adam, coming over. "Have you ever gone back before?"

"It wouldn't be natural," D'Vann said, looking off wistfully. "After all…our time had come. What could we really go back to, anyway?"

"My son is correct," replied Primus as he came over. "I spent my whole life afraid of death, but when I died and was received unto Paradise, I discovered there was never anything to fear. The end is merely the beginning, and only in death am I truly living. So I ask you…why would I ever leave?"

With that, Adam turned and headed further into the woods.

Teela glanced out and reached to him, as if trying to pull him back.

"Give him time, child," instructed Kuduk. "He needs to realize that these were circumstances beyond his control."

"...wait, I thought you had trouble speaking?" asked Teela.

Kuduk shrugged. "I had time to practice after I became Sorceress," she replied.

MEANWHILE…

Inside the Central Tower, He-Ro placed the two swords on a stone pedestal.

"This is not the first time I've helped to make a sword," he mused. "...actually, it's the third."

[After all, He-Fans, there are TWO swords for Castle Grayskull, and the other wielder is…well, she's somewhere. Did I say 'she'? I've already said too much!]

Beast Man and Scorpia connected a cable into an electrical conduit, while Andra was attaching cables to Roboto's body.

"OK…" she said, wiping her brow. "Lyn, go time."

Glancing down at her orb, Evil-Lyn raised her wand. "Like a candle from a torch, I borrowed this Power from Castle Grayskull," she said as she stepped forward. Holding her wand out, she cast the last of the energy into Roboto's chest cavity. "It tethers us to that energy…"

Roboto's entire body was cast in a heavenly glow, as he clenched his fists tightly, and the conduits sparked with life.

"...but there is strength in it yet," smiled Evil-Lyn.

"The energy will be cataclysmic, metal man," explained He-Ro. "Are you sure you're up to a task this dangerous?"

"Oh, not at all," responded Roboto, calm as always. "Please get the others to the minimum safe distance."

The others stepped off the platform and left the room. As the blast doors slid shut, Andra gave Roboto a final thumbs-up.

With that done, the mechanical warrior approached the pedestal. As he looked over the swords, his display screen read "ENERGY READINGS EXCEED REGULATOR THRESHOLD. INSULATOR FAILURE IMMINENT."

"I cannot turn back—not when my allies are counting on me," said Roboto, his tone calm. Shifting his right hand into a hammer, he lifted it into the air. "With that said…shall we begin?" he declared.

As he did, the power conduits shot Grayskull energy into the hammer, and he brought it down.

KA-WHOOM!

Deep in the woods, Adam was by himself, gazing into the starry night sky.

Just as he was growing lost in the tranquility of it all, he overheard footsteps. Sitting upright, Adam turned and saw Teela coming into the clearing.

"...gotta say, I wasn't expecting company," he said.

"Sorry if I interrupted something," said Teela. "So…are you going to come with us?"

"Hm?" asked Adam.

"You know, back to Eternia," explained Teela.

Adam glanced away, a little uneasy. "...honestly, I don't know," he replied. "I mean, we saved the world. No reason for He-Man anymore, right?"

Teela sighed. "I wish that were the case."

Adam raised a brow. "...is something wrong?" he asked.

"You see, Adam. Eternia hasn't been saved," explained Teela. "In fact, it's in worse shape than ever."

Now Adam looked even guiltier. "Great…so my sacrifice was twice as meaningless," he remarked. "I should've been stuck in Subternia…maybe then I'd get what I deserved. Not only am I a liar, I've damned my planet and its people to a slow, painful death."

"Don't say that, Adam." the blonde warrior woman replied. "If you hadn't done what you had done, Skeletor would still be running loose on Eternia, without He-Man to stop him."

"...no, then everything would've been gone, and there wouldn't have been anyone," said Adam. "That would've been a quick death."

"You're being way too hard on yourself," insisted Teela. "Besides, Grayskull still needs a champion, you know? And…" she muttered something underneath her breath.

"...what?" Adam asked.

"...need you."

"A little louder?" inquired Adam. "I really didn't hear you."

"I STILL NEED YOU, OKAY?!" Teela blurted, her face red with embarrassment.

"You…need me?" the young prince asked in utter bewilderment.

"Please don't make me say it again…" insisted Teela, her face still burning.

"No, I'm just…surprised," Adam replied. "On good days, it just seemed like we were only platonic…and on bad days, it felt like you'd rather be doing anything else besides babysitting your charge: the skirt-chasing royal layabout."

"Well, I'd be lying if I said that I hadn't grown fond of you and your antics," Teela responded. "I guess I didn't know how much I…appreciated you, until you were gone."

"I guess I could say the same thing," replied Adam.

"Come back with m—us, Adam," insisted Teela. "Eternia needs its prince…and we still need you."

"Just…give me a few minutes to think, alright?" asked Adam. "That's all I ask."

Teela nodded, and left the clearing.

A few seconds after she did, from the forest emerged another individual—he resembled an old, bearded man in a dark brown cloak.

"So, then…" said Eldor. "Are you going to rejoin your friends?"

"I'm a little unsure," replied Adam. "I mean, everything that happened because of me."

"You could not have possibly known that this would transpire," Eldor explained. "After all, not one among us is without their fair share of blunders. It is one thing to let your mistakes rule your life, Adam Glenn of House Randor…but it is another to accept them, apologize, and move forward."

Adam glanced up.

"But, I am, in a lot of ways, simply an old man," Eldor responded. "The true question is, what will your choice be?"

This, at the very least, left Adam to ponder.

Inside the Central Tower, Roboto continued to hammer away at the Swords of Light and Darkness. As the Sword of Light crackled with electricity, Roboto hoisted it into the air and the conduits fired energy into it, charging the blade. The energy turned golden, and shone through the hilt.

With that part done, Roboto raised the Sword of Darkness and brought it to his chest. A bright blue ember shone forth, like a blowtorch, and lit the sword ablaze.

His sensors began beeping rapidly, as his visual display flashed a warning: CORE LEVELS CRITICAL. DANGER.

As he drew the Sword of Darkness away, it lit up in dazzling purple flames! Stepping on a pedal, Roboto opened the ceiling up.

Outside, the others waited near the lion-shaped gate as Teela came to join them. "So…how is the sword-forge going?" she inquired.

Andra smiled. "It's definitely going," she responded.

As Adam came over, the tower opened its windows, and air began to rush inside rapidly.

"It's working!" Andra beamed. "Roboto's doing it!"

As the air rushed in, it gathered into a whirlwind of flame that surrounded Roboto. The whirlwind began to turn a multitude of colors as Roboto held both swords aloft, while anything not bolted down was picked up and flung away.

Roboto glanced down at both swords as his visor display began to glitch. It was plain to see that he was not long for this world.

"And now…" he grunted as he slowly brought both blades together. "The two…shall become…ONE!"

His display began to glitch even further, going pixelated as he merged the swords into a singular blade.

In a magnificent flash of light, the Sword of Power floated before his optic display. It glimmered for a moment, then showed its steel blade.

"It is…beautiful," Roboto mused.

And then, it crackled with leftover energy, which was absorbed into the blade.

It was at that point Roboto knew, this was it for him. "...oh," he said quietly.

CHA-KOOM!

The following explosion blew Roboto back, tearing one of his arms off.

Seconds later, Andra pulled the doors apart so she could get inside the tower. At this point, the entire interior was peppered with flames.

As Andra headed inside, Teela followed behind. She spared a brief glance to spot the Sword of Power floating freely above the spot where the pedestal once stood.

"Roboto!" exclaimed Andra. "Teela, he's not doing so well!"

Turning around, Teela ran over to check on her fallen ally. The mechanical warrior was now down by an arm and two legs, and barely clinging to life.

"You did it…" said Andra, on the verge of tears. "...you fixed the sword…and—and you're gonna be okay, alright? We can fix you, or—or download your data…" Frantically, she started looking for some slot to get his personality disk or brain chip or….anything, just as long as he didn't have to die!

Roboto turned his head towards Teela as she took his hand. "Teela, please tell Father he was more successful at making me than he knew," he instructed. "If I was simply a machine, I would never be afraid to die…but as my gears stall, and my visual display grows dark, I feel fear."

"N-no!" insisted Andra. "We can fix you! We can get you back, and Duncan can—"

"No tears…" insisted Roboto. "Don't you see? I feel FEAR. Ergo…I feel. I was no mere machine…I was alive."

As he spoke his last words, the ember in his chest faded.

"What a way to go-o-o-o-o…" he said, his words dying out on the last vowel as his neck went limp.

Roboto…was dead.

Andra clutched his head and cried silent tears.

SOME TIME LATER, AT GRAYSKULL TOWER…

The heroes were all gathered as they watched Primus approach an arch structure and twist a gear. Suddenly, a colorful aurora materialized inside the arch.

Teela accepted the Sword of Power from He-Ro, now wrapped tightly in binding, and pulled it over her shoulder.

She took what she thought might be her final glance at Adam. "...looks like this might be it," she said.

"Then maybe you'd better look again," said Adam as he stepped forward. "Because I'll be joining you."

"If this is about the Sword," said He-Ro. "There have been champions before you, and there shall be others after."

"Roboto, Orko—they gave everything they had for the sake of the mission," said Adam. "No one else will die. And besides, if the world is in danger, it wouldn't be good if the prince were to turn his back on the people."

Primus stepped forward. "Adam, if you go with them…there may be no coming back," he said. "This is your great reward."

Adam glanced back at him. "Maybe…but next time, I'd rather earn it," he responded. "And I don't feel that way yet."

Teela smiled a little.

"Very well," responded He-Ro. "May fortune smile."

"Protect your kith and kin," added Primus.

"Good…bye…Adam," added Kuduk.

"Where I come from, we do not say 'good-bye'," concluded D'Vann. "We say…Good Journey."

[Ladies and gentlemen, DOLPH LUNDGREN! Let's hear it for him, yeah?]

Looking forward, Adam saw that he and Teela were the only two left in the room who hadn't gone through.

First she went, then Adam shook his wrists, took a deep breath, and headed into the portal…

…moments later, Adam reopened his eyes and looked around.

He was back…on Eternia.

Suddenly, he heard a scream approaching. Turning around, he saw a robed cultist with a saw-hand lunging at him!

Right as Adam thought he was going to get it, the cultist was knocked for a loop by a flash grenade that flung him on his ass.

"That was close," said Illeena, dusting her hands off. "Are you okay, pal? You look kinda familiar…almost like—"

And then, all at once, it clicked into place.

"ADAM!" Illeena exclaimed as she scooped her old friend up in a massive hug. "I thought you were dead! How'd you come back? This is just so—"

"Illeena…good to see you too," Adam responded. "As for how, it's a long story."

As he took notice of his situation, he noticed that Teela and the others were locked in combat against these robe-clad cultists…and that more were swiftly approaching while riding Rotons.

"Who are these guys, anyway?" asked the young prince. "Who do they work for?"

"Believe it or not, they belong to Tri-Klops." Illeena answered.

"Tri-Klops?!" Adam remarked. "Never took him for the religious sort."

"As fascinating as this talk is, we've still got company!" Stinkor called as one of the Rotons began spinning towards the group.

But before it could make contact, a laser blast from above streaked down and split the vehicle in half, blowing it to pieces.

Everyone looked in the blast's direction, and saw, at the top of the tower, Duncan, clutching a massive energy launcher.

Taking aim slightly higher, he fired another sweeping blast, decimating the entire fleet with one shot.

Seizing an opportunity, the group raced toward the castle as Duncan rappelled down to greet them. Once he reached the ground, he scooped Teela up in a hug.

Once that was done, he turned to the others. "They'll be back…raids come every few hours," he explained. "But I'd sooner die than let them come close to her."

"I know a thing or two about dying, old friend," said Adam, prompting Duncan to turn his head in awe.

"Adam!" the engineer exclaimed at the sight of his formerly deceased friend. "How is this possible?" He then looked around. "Where's Roboto? A-and Orko?"

Andra stepped forth and solemnly handed the head over to Duncan. "Orko…saved us so we could escape…" she explained. "And Roboto helped fix the sword."

Now Duncan was feeling especially guilty about all those times he'd yelled at Orko, or gotten mad about every time his magic tricks backfired. After all…he'd never meant any harm.

"His death…will not be in vain!" Duncan vowed. "We'd better get inside…but first, I think an old friend wants to reconnect."

And thus, he stepped aside, revealing Cringer. "...Adam? Is that really you?" he asked, his eyes welling up.

Before Adam could respond, he found himself being tackled by his cowardly companion, who wasted no time in playfully licking his face.

"Oh, buddy!" exclaimed Adam. "I thought I'd never see you again!"

Everyone else couldn't help but smile. Maybe there was a chance that things could be returning to normal.

Shortly, the group entered the Hall of Wisdom. "When you absorbed the exploding Orb of Power, it split your Sword in two, and both halves took all the magic in the universe back to Valternia and Subternia," explained Teela on the way in. "But now that it's reforged, your Sword is a conduit again to call back the Power."

She stepped aside, revealing the aged countenance of the Sorceress, standing before the center of the castle.

"...it's good to see you again, Adam," she smiled. Even if she looked a bit older, there was still something that couldn't be withered away, even by time.

"Sorceress…did I do this to you?" Adam asked, mortified.

Teela put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry…you're about to fix it all," she said. "All you have to do is say those words."

And so, the group descended to the lower depths of the Hall of Wisdom; as they did, Adam took a glance at the massive scorch mark where he'd previously passed on.

Teela took a look at him. "You still know the words?" she asked.

"Never forgot them," smiled Adam, as he approached the platform where the prism once stood. Unwrapping the blade, he lifted the Sword of Power skyward. "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL!" he exclaimed in a powerful tone of voice.

Up in the skies, swirling red clouds took shape overhead, and a massive bolt of lightning shot down through the roof, engulfing Adam and charging the Sword of Power.

As everyone stared in awe, the Orb of Power began to materialize before their very eyes. Up on the higher level, the pillar of light shone brightly once again. Sorceress petted Cringer and entered the pillar, and Duncan watched as her body glowed brightly.

Back in the lower level, the Orb of Power grew larger as the prism was closing around it. As the magic returned, it restored the dying plant life, lining it with lush foliage.

"Never thought fresh flowers could smell that good," commented Stinkor.

As Evil-Lyn watched, she noticed that her wand was now glowing bright again. She smiled and clutched it tightly.

Outside, the Hall of Wisdom resumed the form of Castle Grayskull. Tri-Klops fumed as he watched the event play out.

"RETREAT!" he bellowed to his followers, who quickly made themselves scarce.

Back in Castle Grayskull, the prism closed around the Orb of Power.

Suddenly, there was a rustling from within Evil-Lyn's satchel. As she opened it up to check, the Havoc Staff's ram skull floated free, and its handle grew to full size.

Evil-Lyn watched in horror as she tried to summon the words to warn Adam, but it was like they were caught in her throat.

Adam was about to finish the transformation off: "I…HAVE…THE PO—"

G-CHOK!

He felt a painful, piercing sensation in his lower abdomen, and blood trickled from his mouth as he felt his grip loosening. He tried to scream…but all that came forth sounded like a mix between a pained gasp and gagging on his own tongue.

Glancing down, he saw a bloody purple spear piercing his body.

To everyone's shock, especially that of Evil-Lyn, murky purple magic seeped from the wand, forming into the sinister Skeletor, who clutched the staff behind the punctured prince.

With a horrified expression, Adam managed to barely turn and get a look at the vile visage of his most hated enemy.

"I'll just take that off your hands, seeing as you can't even hold it," Skeletor sneered, effortlessly sliding the Sword of Power from Adam's trembling hand. Then, when he did that, he simply kicked Adam off the Havoc Staff, sending him sprawling to the floor.

"It's...it's him!" Andra said, absolutely terrified.

"You might want to get that patched up, Captain Teela," Skeletor commented, as he gazed at the sword. "Though the prince will live, it's quite a nasty injury. I wouldn't want him to die before seeing my moment of triumph."

Immediately, Teela ran over to Adam and clasped his hand. "No…no, no, no!" she exclaimed, mortified.

Evil-Lyn looked even worse. "S-Skeletor?" she asked. "But…but how?!"

"I must apologize for keeping you in the dark," the skull-headed schemer responded. "But when I was blown apart in the Orb's explosion, I used the last of my energy to transfer my essence into your wand-staff. And you played your part magnificently…now, take your rightful place at my side."

Evil-Lyn looked incredibly guilty as she glanced down at the wand-staff, then over at Teela and the others.

With a sigh, she started into her 'villain routine'; a shame, too, she hadn't really needed to go into one again until now.

"Sad thing is, I was really starting to like you," she said with a phony smirk as she strode over to rejoin Skeletor. Beast Man, reluctantly, joined her.

Andra reached out a hand. "You don't have to do this!" she insisted.

Evil-Lyn turned towards her and sent out an energy burst, trapping her in its bindings.

"...good to have you back, milord…" Beast Man said, his heart not truly in it.

Andra struggled against her binding. "What's wrong with you?!" she shouted.

Skeletor turned around and raised what would be an eyebrow if he had a face. "...sorry, have we met?" he inquired.

"Leave her be," Teela ordered.

"She asked me a question, captain," said Skeletor. "So she deserves an answer."

And so, he strode over to Andra.

"For too long, I have sought unimaginable power, only to have it denied to me at every turn, thanks to some muscle-bound man-child of a prince playing barbarian hero with his rag-tag little pep squad!" Skeletor bellowed…before his tone grew calm. "But it's like I told the Sorceress last time I was here: 'nothing is constant...everything changes'."

[For this scene, play the Evil Buu section of the Majin Buu Medley, posted by GLADIUS on YT, starting from 0:55—2:23.]

He flexed his fingers and gripped the sword tightly. "Now, let's take it from the top, shall we?" he asked.

Skeletor raised the sword into the air. "By the Power of Grayskull!" he bellowed.

Suddenly, inky black lightning streaked down through the roof, engulfing the skull-faced sorcerer in a pillar of purple light.

"...I AM THE POWER." he boomed. [Alright, folks, give it up for 2002 Skeletor, Brian Dobson! He'll be portraying Skelegod!]

Everyone covered their faces from the massive gust of wind that swept up around them, as Skeletor cackled, his voice growing deeper as he did, and as his body doubled in size and strength.

When the dust settled, Skeletor was twice as big, twice as bad, and full-on brawny. He had massive ram-horns on his head, tremendous shoulder spikes, and large sharp claw-like fingers. On his chest was a massive green and purple H emblem that looked like it had been slashed across his chest—or even branded onto it.

"This…this is just spectacular!" he crooned as he rose to his feet, and towered over Castle Grayskull. "NOW…I, SKELETOR…AM MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE!"

And on Skelegod's crazed cackling, we FADE OUT, leaving only the sound of his maniacal laughter.

Boy, are our heroes in a pickle. How can they deal with a powered-up Skeletor?

The answers, this fall.

Don't worry, Adam ain't dead yet. Making that very clear right here.