Day of Evil
A Mineternia Tale
By Hordak Alpha

    The jaw bridge of Castle Grayskull opened slowly and bridged the gap across the vast abyss that surrounded the castle.       Skeletor stepped onto the jaw bridge followed by Beast Man who held Rakash, the Titan of the oceans, out in front.     Rakash was bound by manacles.        The former inhabitants of Snake Mountain strolled through the gaping mouth of the castle and made their way to the throne room.      Before them sat Teela in the throne, with her angelic wings outstretched.      She had only been Castle Grayskull’s guardian for a few short days and she was growing very wary of Skeletor.    Teela felt her mother had made a bad decision giving Skeletor the dark sword of Grayskull.    

	“As you can see I was telling the truth.” said Skeletor as he gestured to the captive Titan,  “Here is Rakash, former lord of the seas, ready to be interrogated.”

	Teela raised an eyebrow.  “How exactly were you able to capture him?” she asked,  “From my knowledge even the combined might of you and He-Man were barely enough to stop Rakash previously.”

	Skeletor nodded.   “Indeed that is true but Rakash is still recovering from his injuries so he was very easily subdued.”    Skeletor jabbed the captive Titan in the gut with his staff.

	“Just do that again.” said Rakash,  “It is then I shall show you the error of your mistake.”

	Beast Man roughly restrained Rakash.  “Silence!” said the red haired beast,  “You are lucky to even be alive.”

	He-Man came into the chamber and looked over the situation.   “Well, well.” said He-Man,  “It seems Skeletor was actually telling the truth for a change.”

	Skeletor grinned.   “You have little faith in me.   I told you it would be foolish of me to betray our alliance considering the current global situation.”

	“The Titans are conquering regions and cities by each waking day.” said He-Man,  “Even with the help of the Darksmoke dragons our forces are still having trouble defeating the massive armies of the Titans.”

	“Why exactly did you bring Rakash here to Grayskull?” asked Teela.

	“The facilities in Eternos would not be able to hold this one.” said Skeletor,  “I would have held him within the dungeons of Snake Mountain, that is if it still existed.”

	He-Man walked over to Beast Man.   “Okay, I’ll take it from here.” said He-Man,  “I will make him talk and perhaps give us an advantage over the Titans.”

	Beast Man nodded and handed the bound titan over to He-Man.     As He-Man began to lead Rakash towards the entrance of the dungeons Skeletor watched quietly and then he turned to Teela.

	“It is a pity your mother is no more.” said Skeletor,  “I truly wished she could have lived to see this.”

	Teela looked at Skeletor with a disgusted curiosity.  “What are you talking about?” she asked.    

	Skeletor grinned.   “Now!!!” screamed the grim lord with a hint of excitement in his voice.

	The manacles about Rakash’s wrists crumbled into metallic powder.   The Titan overpowered He-Man with relative ease considering his injuries from before had been healed completely.      Shadowy tendrils stretched out from the fingertips of the titan and wrapped around He-Man.    He-Man grunted as the crushing force of the shadow tendrils subdued him with a great strength.

	“Foolish maniac.” said Teela as she rose from her throne,  “You have only sown the seeds of your own destruction.”      Teela flew into the air and dived towards Skeletor.   Before the vile lord could raise his havoc staff for defense Teela blasted him with a powerful beam of brilliance that shot from her eyes.

	Skeletor was tossed backwards to the ground.    Beast Man rushed towards Teela but the angelic guardian was too quick for him.   Teela struck Beast Man to the ground with a powerful strike of telekinetic force.       As Beast Man fell to the ground Skeletor rose and unleashed a blast of energy from his havoc staff.      Teela’s force field came to life just in time to absorb the blast.     Skeletor just stood there grinning and then he looked to Rakash.

	With He-Man still subdued by shadow tendrils Rakash tore the Sword of Power from the hero’s harness and held it aloft.    “Everything is going according to plan, Skeletor.” announced the Titan,  “How easy it will be to destroy Grayskull and it’s power from within.”

	Skeletor nodded towards his Titan accomplice.   “Yes, but first give me He-Man’s sword.   It shall allow me to defeat this winged bitch much easier.”

	Teela screamed in rage.    “Your pact with the Titan will not save you!” As Teela rushed towards Skeletor, Rakash tossed He-Man’s sword to Skeletor.    Skeletor caught it and merged it with his own dark sword.    A flash of lightning erupted and sent out a brilliant shockwave that knocked Teela to the ground.          As the dazzling light faded Teela looked up to see Skeletor holding the joined Sword of Power aloft and cackling all the while.

	“At last the power is mine!” screeched Skeletor in triumphant joy,  “I have finally won the day!”     Skeletor jabbed his new prize into the air and continued to fill the halls of the throne room with his triumphant laughter.

	“Hurry up, Skeletor.” snarled Rakash,  “Destroy the woman and let us destroy this castle.      I and your fellow Titan gods shall reward you generously for your service to us.”

	Skeletor smiled.   “Of course, Lord Rakash.    I do the bidding of the Titan gods.”      Skeletor pointed the power sword at Teela and, before she could rise, blasted away at her with a burst of mystical energy.    Teela screamed in pain as her angel wings were vaporized and all of her awakened powers were nullified by the Sword of Power.       She was tossed backwards into the throne , smacking her head.
	He-Man burst free of  his bindings and grabbed a hold of Rakash.      He swiftly held the Titan aloft over his head and hurled him at Skeletor.     Before the Titan could collide Skeletor waved the Titan away with the power sword and charged towards He-Man.         He-Man, in turn rushed towards Skeletor and was ready to slam a thunder punch into Skeletor’s jaw when Beast Man tackled him to the ground.   Rakash, in the mean time, had landed roughly on the floor.

	As He-Man struggled with Beast Man his harness was tore from his body by the crimson beast.  He-Man tossed Beast Man aside and was ready to confront Skeletor.       Skeletor just grinned at He-Man and pointed the power sword at him.        He-Man brought up his shield as Skeletor blasted a wave of energy at him from the joined sword.     The shield held fast against Skeletor's attack and He-Man moved towards Skeletor while the grim lord continued to blast away.

	"No, not while I'm so close." screamed Skeletor as He-Man continued to advance towards him while blocking each and every power blast,  "I have the power now.   You cannot resist."

	"You tried and failed miserably, Skeletor." said He-Man as he continued blocking power blasts with his shield,  "Your little coup with Rakash was for nothing."

	In a swift rush of shadowy motion Rakash rushed towards He-Man and tore the shield from the warrior's forearm.     He-Man's reaction time was not swift enough to prevent this maneuver.    Rakash then came to stand at Skeletor's side.     "Destroy him in the name of your gods." said Rakash,  "Without his korodite harness He-Man cannot withstand the force of the very power he serves."

	"Excellent idea." said Skeletor with a grin.    He unleashed a powerful blast from the power sword before He-Man could make another move.      He-Man screamed in pain as the energy tore through his every muscle.    Skeletor increased the dosage of energy and He-Man convulsed in pain and agony.     The force of power lifted He-Man into the air as Skeletor continued intensifying the attack.    "You are no more just like your pitiful Vulnarian tribe." scoffed Skeletor,  "Be gone from my sight and never trouble me again."

	He-Man had ceased his cries of agony as his body convulsed ever more violently.    With a final, forceful burst of power from the power sword He-Man was hurtled out the open window of the throne room.   The lifeless hero plummeted into the darkness of the vast abyss that surrounded the castle.        As it looked to Skeletor, He-Man was finally finished.

	Skeletor turned towards the throne and discovered Teela was missing.   "No matter." he said aloud to himself,  "She cannot do anything to thwart me now."

	Rakash applauded.   "Well done, Skeletor.   You have proven yourself worthy to serve the Titans of Eternia." said the Titan,  "Now for the final test.   Destroy Castle Grayskull and its blasphemous power."

	Skeletor slowly turned towards Rakash.    "You fool." scoffed Skeletor,  "You really believed I meant anything I said when I came to you for help?"     Skeletor smiled.  "You were merely a pawn to help me gain control of Grayskull and its power."

	Rakash frowned.   "Deceiver, you shall be punished for your treachery!"  screamed the Titan.  Rakash rushed towards Skeletor.    The grim lord fired a blast of power from the power sword that stopped Rakash dead in his tracks.   The Titan fell to his knees and Skeletor rushed forward and beheaded Rakash on the spot.        The Titan's head fell from his shoulders and rolled to the floor.  Rakash was dead and defeated.

		Skeletor sat down on the throne and Beast Man knelt down before him.   "Hail Skeletor, King of Castle Grayskull." said the beast,   "The power is his to wield and command."

	Skeletor smiled and held the Sword of Power in both hands.    "Phase one of my plan is now complete." he said,  "Now let us see if Evil-Lyn can accomplish phase two so I will not have to do it myself."

	Meanwhile, in Eternos, Evil-Lyn watched the skies intently awaiting the sign that Skeletor had promised her earlier.     The evil sorceress was beginning to grow restless and she was still recovering from her battle with the Titan Circe from a few days before.     All of Skeletor’s minions had been briefed on Skeletor’s plan to conquer Castle Grayskull and of him falsifying an alliance with Rakash to do so.

	Then Evil-Lyn saw her sign.    The Talon Fighter soared through the air and dive bombed toward the royal palace of Randor and Marlena.   All of Skeletor’s warriors watched quietly and intently as they waited to see if the Talon Fighter was about to do what they expected.          Crimson bolts of energy shot from the undercarriage of the Talon Fighter and struck the north tower of the royal palace.              The tower exploded in a great ball of orange fire and toppled to the ground below.       Startled citizens and guardsmen scrambled in fright as the tower landed on top of them.

	Evil-Lyn smiled and shouted “Execute phase two!!!”    All of Skeletor’s warriors attacked their unprepared Eternos allies.      Royal guards scrambled to the ready but they had not been prepared for an attack within leaving many of them slain by Skeletor’s finest.

	King Randor and Queen Marlena shot a glance out the windows of their bedchambers as the Talon Fighter made another destructive run across the courtyard.      “No.” said Randor, “He couldn’t have done it.   Not when the Titans threaten both of our peoples.”      Marlena hurriedly took the arm of her husband and quickly lead him out of the bedchamber.   Outside Clamp Champ and an entire escort of Royal guardsmen were there to meet the royal couple.    Without a word King Randor and Queen Marlena were evacuated to the secret tunnels beneath the palace and escorted out of the city as quickly as possible.

  	In another part of the city Syklone was busy taking the Talon Fighter head on.      The fighter craft dive bombed towards him but the whirling warrior of good dodged the aerial assault with precision.      A powerful cyclonic wind swirled beneath Syklone giving him lift.    He was doing such by moving his lower body around and around at such a high velocity that he was able to generate the wind power to give him flight.        The Talon Fighter streaked towards Syklone again.    Syklone aimed a hand at the fighter ship and swirled his entire arm about with vigorous velocity.         Moving the air about him Syklone was able to direct a concussive blast of wind aimed at the Talon Fighter.            The wind blast struck the right side of the craft but the Talon Fighter was undamaged.          The fighter flew at Syklone again with beam cannons blazing.           Syklone dodged the laser fire and flew off away from the ship.         He knew he was no match for the technology of the Elders.            Syklone flew out of the city at impressive velocity.        ‘The prophecy has been fulfilled.’ Thought Syklone, ‘Castle Grayskull’s power has been claimed by evil.    I know what I must now do to ensure that evil cannot conquer all.’               Syklone increased his speeds until he was flying across the ocean towards the horizon.

	Man-At-Arms blasted away at Skeletor’s troops as best as he could.      Mortal soldiers and robotic knights fell at his feet.       Evil-Lyn suddenly was in his view.   The vile witch fired a burst of magenta energy at Duncan from her scepter.       Duncan managed to raise his shield in time to block the blast.   The concussive force sent him staggering backwards slightly.     Evil-Lyn raised her scepter and summoned forth demonic creatures from the darkest depths of reality.

	“Fall back, warriors of Snake Mountain.” Called out Evil-Lyn, “My demon pawns shall do the work of conquering the Eternos forces for us.”   All of the warriors obeyed and fell back into position around Evil-Lyn.   The entire group of evil warriors looked on as the demon warriors took down the Eternos forces with relative ease.     “A beautiful sight indeed.” Said Evil-Lyn,  “Our old rivals fall to their demise and, with Skeletor as conqueror of Castle Grayskull’s powers, the Titans shall soon join Eternos in death.”

	Within a short amount of time most of Eternos was in smoldering ruins or ablaze in crimson fire.   That had been accomplished by Evil-Lyn’s demonic soldiers.    Many had died in the onslaught while those that survived had either fled from the city or were still caught in rubble and debris.      Evil-Lyn surveyed her handiwork as the bodies of guards and citizens lined the streets.     Blood was smeared across the cracked and broken concrete around the bodies.      The vile witch walked over the bodies and even stepped on some.           Her disrespect for the lives of others had grown worse since the time of her employ under Skeletor.     A demon soldier came over to Evil-Lyn and bowed.    She looked him over and said  “Don’t just stand there.  Comb the ruins of the palace for the bodies of the king and queen.     The head of Randor will make an enjoyable trophy for Skeletor.”    The demon soldier nodded and lumbered away to carry out his instructions.

	Loads of survivors had managed to evacuate into the depths of the Evergreen Forest.      Man-At-Arms had been wounded in battle and was being carried upon a stretcher by Moss Man and Ram Man.    Man-E-Faces kept close, surveying the skies in case of any surprise attack from the forces of the new master of Castle Grayskull.        Just then the form of a woman caught the eye of a Royal guardsmen.    The guard raised his blast lance in the event of a hostile and came to recognize the woman as Teela.     

	Teela staggered towards her comrades as best as she could but fell to the ground before she could even reach them.       Man-E-Faces ran to her and knelt down beside her.       He held her up and looked her over.    Her hair was caked with dry blood from a gash in her scalp that had been torn open when she had collided with Grayskull’s throne.      “We need a medic over here.” cried out Man-E,  “We have new wounded.”

	Teela opened her eyes groggily.   She was disoriented very badly and couldn’t even make out the face of her friend, Man-E.    “G…Got to help….” she croaked out in a soft voice.

	“What is it Teela?” asked Man-E,  “Tell me and I shall do it.”    Man-E leaned his ear in close in order to hear Teela as her voice trailed off into softer and softer tones.

	“…..need to help…H…He-M..Man.” croaked out Teela,  “He-M….Adam is in danger….Skel…eletor.”    Teela faded into unconsciousness before she could even finish a single word she was saying.       Man-E tried to gently shake her awake but it was no use.   Teela was going to be out of it for quite awhile.

     Deep down in the darkness of the vast abyss He-Man awoke to total darkness.   It was so dark he couldn’t even tell if his eyes were open or closed.    He-Man tried to move but discovered that his entire body was sore and numb from Skeletor’s attack.      He knew he didn’t have any broken bones but he felt too fatigued to make much more of an effort to move.        Some time passed, perhaps hours, and He-Man remained awake for all of that time letting his thoughts wander.    He thought of what had happened.   He had failed to protect the power of the Elders from Skeletor this time.    The vile lord had managed to come up with a plan so treacherous and unexpected that not even He-Man had been able to anticipate it.         He-Man felt powerless and knew, at this moment, he was.      Skeletor had won.   The evil skull faced demon was now master of Castle Grayskull and there was nothing that He-Man could do about it at this moment.       The hero began to slip into unconsciousness once again and as he did his thoughts flickered to Teela.

	The vast crystalline chamber was a welcome sight to Skeletor.   After spending hours of searching into the bowels of the castle, Skeletor had found the chamber where all of the power was kept.    He stood before the glowing and pulsating orb that was the main focus of knowledge and power within the castle.    He held out the unified power sword.    “I’ve done it.” spoke Skeletor in a low rasp,  “I’ve beaten your champion, Elders, and the power you denied me for so long is finally within my reach.”           Skeletor concentrated and focused his will into the sword.       The Sword of Power began to glow brilliantly and the massive crystalline towers that occupied the massive chamber crackled with lightning energies.         The Orb of the Elders glowed brilliantly and was now at the command of Skeletor.       In a white hot flash a bolt of power streaked out from the orb and entered the sword.   Then the energy was absorbed into Skeletor’s undead body.       The skull faced demon grinned as he absorbed more and more power from the orb.      He laughed with delight as more and more power and knowledge began to fill his every being.

	The Eternos City that Syklone returned to lay in scorched ruins.     He landed silently in an alley way and set down the bundle that he was carrying.     Suddenly he heard cries and screams echoing down towards his way.   It just so happened that Spikor and Clawful were carrying two battered and bruised women down into the alley way.    The clothing of the women were so tattered that more flesh could be seen than anything else.            Blood trickled down from between the legs of both women, a tell tale sign they had just recently been raped by the hideous duo.       Spikor and Clawful spotted Syklone and quickly dropped the sobbing women.    Clawful quickly snipped both of the women’s heads off with his pincers before Syklone could react.

	“You’re too late, blue skin.” said Spikor,   “Everyone and everything in this city is dead or soon will be.”

	“Yeah,” chuckled Clawful,  “Ain’t nothing you can do about it neither.”

	Syklone remained silent except for the half ring on his back.   The ring was in essence a type of tuning fork and it began to vibrate with great intensity, so much so that the very air around Syklone began to swirl into a great tornado.       Syklone swiftly directed the disturbed air into a wind blast that engulfed both Clawful and Spikor.           The vile duo were tossed about like rag dolls.          Suddenly it all ceased when Syklone was shot from behind by a stealthy Trap Jaw.            The vibrating ring on Syklone’s back shattered to pieces and the warrior fell to his knees.

	As Trap Jaw got closer to Syklone his mechanical blaster arm transformed into a massive and powerful hook.     “You made a grave mistake coming back here.” said Trap Jaw as he inched closer to Syklone,  “You’re going to die now, just like all of the others.”

	Syklone then swiftly leapt to his feet and pointed his right forearm towards Trap Jaw.         Ring shurikens shot forth from his gauntlet and struck down Trap Jaw.     The razor sharp projectiles were enough to cut through the cyborg’s flesh and dismantle his hook arm into pieces.       Clawful and Spikor had re-gathered and were making their way towards Syklone.

	The part mechanical hero knew he couldn’t stay and fight at this time.   Syklone grabbed up his bundle and, with the lower half of his body spinning at super velocities, created a cyclonic wind that lifted him high into the air.   Syklone flew up and away from the ruined, smoldering city, in search of He-Man, the truly last hope to save Eternia from Skeletor’s newly acquired power.

	It was during his flight that Syklone managed to run into Orko.   The trollan zoomed through the air in a haste.    “Orko, slow down.” called Syklone,  “Please.”    Orko slowed down and turned a sad gaze towards Syklone.    The trollan shook his head and remained silent for quite awhile.     Syklone then spoke again.    “You must help me, my little friend.    Do you know where He-Man is?”

	Orko shrugged and said  “The last time I heard He-Man was at Castle Grayskull all day but….” Orko ’s words trailed off a bit ,   “Considering that Skeletor conquered Grayskull I only imagine the worst.”

	Syklone shook his head.   “We must not give up hope, little friend, for He-Man must still be alive.     He has fought Skeletor before and has never been defeated.    If Skeletor has indeed triumphed completely today then my journey back to my homeland was all for nothing.”

	Orko noticed the bundle that Syklone carried.  “What do you got there?” asked the trollan,  “It must be very important if you trekked all the way back to Anwat Gar during this crisis.”

	Syklone nodded.   “What I carry is very important indeed.” he said,  “It is all for He-Man, if we can find him.”   Orko and Syklone then flew as quickly as possible towards Castle Grayskull in the hopes of finding He-Man alive and in a condition to battle Skeletor.

	Far away on the distant world of Etheria, She-Ra and her rebel group were pined down by enemy fire.      Horde Troopers were advancing upon the rebel encampment and the rebels were trying desperately to hold their own despite being outnumbered greatly.        The smell of sulfur hung in the air and black smoke spiraled up into the sky , trailing from decimated rebel tanks.         A deep, painful feeling had been nagging at She-Ra’s spirit all day.  She knew something was wrong on Eternia and she felt she should be there with her brother to confront the Titans.   She-Ra knew that great importance hung on her mission to Etheria.      If the Horde were to gain a foothold within the galaxy they could spell more trouble than the threat the Titans posed to Eternia.        The golden haired warrior’s attention shifted from thoughts of home back to the current battle at hand as a bomb burst a few feet away.        She-Ra held her cloak up before her face to shield it from chunks of ground churned up by the bomb blast.     She-Ra knew that Grayskull had been either conquered or destroyed from her sixth sense but did not have the time to think those feelings through.          Then a gap in enemy pursuit allowed She-Ra and her rebels to jump up from their trenches and resume their fight with the Horde forces.

	Syklone and Orko were being guided by a sort of instinct into the depths of the vast abyss surrounding Castle Grayskull.    Orko clung to Syklone as the cybernetic hero was more able to navigate through the powerful winds of the abyss easier than the trollan could.           Orko summoned up a light spell and lit up the darkness.       Then, Orko and Syklone managed to spot the battered form of He-Man laying precariously on a jagged ledge.        They both flew down to him.

	“He-Man?” said Orko with a nervous tone,  “Are you alive?”   The trollan waited but heard no response.

	“He-Man!” announced Syklone, “Please wake.  Eternia is in her darkest hour and needs your aide.”

	It was then He-Man began to stir.   The warrior opened his eyes and looked upon Syklone and Orko.    “I have failed.” said He-Man,  “Skeletor has managed to defeat me.   There is no way to thwart him now.”

	“Not true.” said Syklone as he set his bundle down beside He-Man, “I have brought something that will help you retake Castle Grayskull.”

	He-Man managed to get himself into a sitting position.   “What are you talking about?” he asked weakly,  “Skeletor possesses the very power of the Elders.   There isn’t anything else in the world that can rival such power.”

     “There is something that can rival that power.” said Syklone as he opened the bundle,  “Or, to be more exact, someone.    That is you ,He-Man.”

	He-Man watched quietly as Syklone pulled out a suit of armor and a long, curved sword.   “Many eons ago, shortly after the death of King Grayskull, the people of Anwat Gar foresaw a terrible event where the very castle of the great king would be conquered and his power would be misused for great evil.” said Syklone,  “My people crafted this armor and sword for use by the champion that could liberate Castle Grayskull and all of Eternia from evil.”

	He-Man looked with surprise at the breastplate that Syklone pulled from the bundle.    It was emblazoned with the very crest of King Grayskull.    “I’m barely holding myself together.” said He-Man,  “I took a very powerful assault from Skeletor and without the healing powers of the Elders I am no use to anyone.”

	Syklone handed He-Man the curved sword.    “This is the Legacy sword and armor.  It was all constructed just for you for the visionaries of my people foresaw this moment.” said Syklone.     

	He-Man held the sword before him.   “The Anwat Gar saw all of this centuries ago?” asked He-Man,    “Why would they foresee all of this?”

	Syklone turned his gaze towards the sky for a moment.    “I have known this day to be coming for as long as I have been alive.” he said,  “A prophecy was foretold amongst my people that when the Titans returned to Eternia it would signify the end of the world as we know it.”

	He-Man took a hold of  the armored breastplate with King Grayskull’s crest on it.     “If you knew of these events why did you not forewarn everyone of this terrible event that we have been plunged into?” asked He-Man.

	“I was sworn to secrecy until all of the signs of the prophecy were here.” said Syklone,   “The three signs of the prophecy are as follows: the return of the Titans, the death of the Goddess and the conquest of Castle Grayskull.    I was created for the purpose of safeguarding the Legacy armor and sword until this time came.”

	He-Man hurriedly put on the armor and all of his injuries were instantly healed.    “I feel as good as I did before succumbing to Skeletor’s attack.” he said,   “This armor has healing properties?”

	“I cannot tell you if it is or not.” said Syklone,  “I only know what I was told.”       Syklone cast his gaze high up towards Castle Grayskull.   “You cannot delay much longer, He-Man,  you must act quickly before Skeletor wreaks more havoc across the land.”

	“More havoc?” asked He-Man with surprise,  “What havoc has that monster unleashed since I was incapacitated?”

	Syklone looked to Orko and then back to He-Man.    “The grand city of Eternos has been reduced to rubble, Adam.        It is all gone.”  said Syklone with sadness in his eyes.   

  	Anger glazed through He-Man’s eyes.    “Hasn’t that devil done enough?” asked He-Man out loud to no one in particular,   “I’m not going to stand by any longer.”         With a powerful leap He-Man shot up through the blackness and emerged in orange lit daylight.             He landed on the other side of the abyss and turned to face the main façade of Castle Grayskull. Syklone and Orko emerged from the abyss and came to stand beside him.

	He-Man gazed at the closed jaw bridge.     “Skeletor won’t be expecting me.” said He-Man,   “That should work to my advantage.”     He then looked at Orko and Syklone.    “Go and find any survivors that you can.” he said,   “I need to do this alone.”      Syklone and Orko nodded and departed without another word.      With a great focus of strength He-Man leapt across the abyss and slammed into the great jaw bridge.       Sections of the jaw bridge tore apart as He-Man smashed right on through.

	From the throne room Beast Man heard the commotion.    He wanted to warn Skeletor but Beast Man’s master was still deep down in the bowels of the castle and thus too far to get to.     Beast Man decided to check on the noise himself but didn’t get much of a chance to when a blur of motion came charging right at him.     Beast Man was slammed hard against the throne and held up in the air by the neck.      When his eyes re-focused Beast Man saw that it was He-Man holding him at bay.    Beast Man saw a glare of rage in He-Man’s eyes that he had never seen the hero display before.    

	“Where is Skeletor?” asked He-Man in a threatening whisper,   “Tell me where he is now or I will crush the very life out of you.”       He-Man then tightened his grip around Beast Man’s neck.   “You had better start talking.” said He-Man,  “I am in no mood for games.”

	“T…The crystal chamber…” coughed out Beast Man.    His eyes met He-Man’s and in a silent plea Beast Man begged for his life.     He-Man scowled at the beast and then tossed him to the floor.     Beast Man landed roughly and gazed up towards He-Man.   “You will never defeat him now.” said Beast Man,  “It is too late.   Skeletor is too powerful for anyone to defeat.”

	“Leave the castle now and I shall spare your life.” said He-Man,  “Remain where you are any longer and I will break you apart.”  He-Man watched quietly as Beast Man lumbered away towards the chamber of entrance.   He then turned and walked swiftly and quietly down a long spiral staircase deep into the heart of Castle Grayskull.

	Skeletor stood quietly in front of the Orb of the Elders.   He could hardly believe that he had indeed conquered Castle Grayskull at last.   So many secrets still awaited him within the ancient walls of the castle that he could hardly contain his wicked enthusiasm.      This had been his goal for so long and it almost seemed he would never reach it but now here he was, standing before the greatest power source in the galaxy.    Skeletor then sensed a familiar presence take position behind him and he growled.   

	He-Man stood quietly, gripping the Legacy sword firmly.    Skeletor spun around and unleashed a vicious lightning blast from his staff that would have caught a normal warrior off guard.      He-Man quickly parried and deflected the blast with his current weapon.         Skeletor brandished his staff in one hand and the unified Sword of Power in the other.      With a growl Skeletor leapt forward and slashed at He-Man’s head.     He-Man blocked the blow quickly but was open for a lightning blast from the staff.      He-Man was tossed to the ground and Skeletor rushed quickly towards him.       With swift reaction time, He-Man performed a upward cut with the Legacy sword and sliced off the arm of Skeletor which held the staff.       The dismembered limb fell to the ground with a meaty slap.     

	He-Man leapt to his feet and rushed back into combat swinging his sword with expert skill.     Skeletor caught He-Man’s next strike and held firm against the pressing strength of the hero.        He then forced He-Man away with a powerful shove.             Then, with a swift blast of power, Skeletor forced the sword from He-Man’s hand.     The Legacy sword clattered to the floor.     He-Man made a move to grab it but Skeletor quickly intercepted and kicked the sword away.     He-Man and Skeletor watched as the Legacy sword plunged into the dark abyss below.          

	Skeletor laughed as He-Man got to his feet.   “Your return has brought about a very disappointing confrontation.” said Skeletor,  “It seems it was all for nothing on your part.”

	“You have slaughtered innocent lives for the last time, Skeletor.” said He-Man,  “I was powerless to stop you from murdering the Vulnar but I’m not going to let your order of destruction for Eternos go unpunished.”

	Skeletor laughed again.   “You can do nothing.    I have the Sword of Power and the power of Grayskull at my command.” he said waving the Sword of Power about.    “Your threats ring hollow this time, He-Man.”

	Skeletor then dashed forward and slashed in a downward arc towards He-Man.   The hero hurriedly ducked to the right and dodged the slash.   He then caught Skeletor by the arm and, with a forceful wrenching,  tore the arm clean from Skeletor’s body.       Skeletor howled in pain as He-Man brandished the Sword of Power.       He then tossed the sword into the black abyss.

	Skeletor was quite surprised at this but only scowled.   “You had the sword and now you have tossed your only chance of victory away like the fool you are.” said Skeletor.     Flesh and bone then began to form in Skeletor’s empty arm sockets.     “I have absorbed enough power to be rid of you.” he said as bony protrusions began to form all over Skeletor’s body.     The villain then underwent a startling metamorphosis.    His body grew two times larger and a full suit of bone armor formed on the villain.    Two massive arms of ivory bone erupted out from Skeletor’s arm sockets.   Claws of bone adorned the villain’s knuckles.

	“I tossed the unified power sword away because I don’t need it.” said He-Man,   “I have the strength to break you and now I won’t hold back any longer.”     He-Man rushed forward and slammed his fist against the bone chest plate of Skeletor.      Skeletor staggered back an inch and he in turn lunged forward.      He swung a massive bone fist and issued a powerful bone crunching punch across He-Man’s face.        The hero sailed backwards and slammed hard against a crystalline spire.        Skeletor dashed forward and slammed a blow into He-Man’s armored chest.      He-Man slinked down to the floor and sprang up and slammed his body into Skeletor.         The massive villainous hulk staggered backwards a bit and tossed He-Man away.

	He-Man slammed into the crystalline spire again and fell to his knees.    Skeletor calmly watched the hero get back to his feet.    “You cannot defeat me now, He-Man.” said Skeletor,  “The power is mine now and not even your mighty strength can save you now.”

	“You know all of this time I have always held back the full magnitude of my strength only using as much as a situation  called for.” said He-Man,  “Now I have a reason to use every bit of strength I have and finally show you how much of a mistake you made when you took everything from me.”     

	Skeletor dashed forward and struck He-Man across the face, raking his bone claws along the way.       Four gashes were ripped open on the side of He-Man’s face and blood trickled from them.       Then, He-Man lost control.    With a powerful yell He-Man leapt forward and slammed his body weight into Skeletor.         Skeletor held his ground firmly this time but He-Man had only started to unleash his powerful assault.     As Skeletor swung again He-Man blocked the blow and landed a powerful thunder punch across the villain’s face.           An ear shattering thunder clap echoed through out the chamber from the blow.      Before Skeletor could react He-Man pushed forward unleashing blow after blow across Skeletor’s face and bone armored chest, each blow intensifying in strength.           Skeletor was beginning to stagger back from the force of each blow.     The villain swung his arms down to smash He-Man but the hero was two fast for him.     He-Man caught both of the bone armored arms and landed a powerful head-butt against Skeletor’s chest plate.      The strength of the blow was enough to knock Skeletor to the floor.   

      “Any bit of strength is useless for you now.” said Skeletor as he rose to his feet,  “Your strength cannot save you from the magnified power of Castle Grayskull.”     A lightning fire glowed about within Skeletor’s eye sockets and the villain unleashed a blast of power unlike he had ever before.     He possessed the destructive power of the Elders now and he channeled and harnessed it like an expert.       The power blast struck He-Man and engulfed him.            He-Man was tossed backwards over the edge of the crystalline platform that he and Skeletor battled atop.       He-Man grabbed the edge with his hand and pulled himself back up swiftly. 

	Before Skeletor could launch another attack He-Man leapt towards him with great agility and drew back his arm.      Focusing as much strength as he could into his blow He-Man followed through and landed a powerful thunder punch against the bone armor chest plate of the villain.    The blow was so powerful that the very air around them rippled outward through the expanse of the chamber and shattered various crystalline spires to pieces.    Skeletor’s chest plate shattered to pieces and the villain himself was tossed through the air.         He came to rest hard against a crystal spire.      Skeletor had landed on a crystal platform that was on the other side of the vast expanse of the chamber.

      He-Man took a flying leap and landed on the platform.       Skeletor tried to make another move but was overcome by He-Man.       The hero backhanded the villain, knocking him to the ground.    He-Man then leapt on top of Skeletor and slammed his fist into the villain’s exposed chest.     The blow was so powerful that every bone in Skeletor’s body shattered and the crystal platform beneath them shattered to pieces.     He-Man and Skeletor plummeted down into the blackness of the void below.

	When they finally reached the bottom Skeletor landed atop a jagged crystal formation and was impaled.         He-Man came to a rough landing beside the villain.       He-Man got to his feet and glanced towards Skeletor.  The villain did not move yet his voice issued forth from the skull face of the demon.

	“You cannot destroy me for I am undead.” said Skeletor,  “I am neither dead or alive yet in between thus this body can be broken yet I can repair all damage done unto me.”

   “Then repair this!!” shouted He-Man as he rushed forward and slammed his fist down against Skeletor’s skull.        Under the force of impact Skeletor’s entire skull shattered to pieces and the bone fragments flew about everywhere.             He-Man backed away from Skeletor’s broken and lifeless body as he breathed in and out heavily.            

	Every single crystal formation and spire within the chamber came to life and energy crackled about.    He-Man watched as a figure materialized in front of him.   It was Battle Cat and on his back rode the hooded old man who had came to He-Man when he was at death’s door in the Oracle’s cave.       

	“It seems you have finally defeated Skeletor.” said the old man,  “Now the time has come for Castle Grayskull to depart from this world.”

	“Depart?” asked He-Man,  “What do you mean?   The Titans still threaten to conquer Eternia and reassert themselves as deities.”

	“The Titans must be allowed to conquer Eternia this time.” said the old man,   “Castle Grayskull must in turn leave Eternia for one year while the preparation begins.”

 “Preparation?” asked He-Man,  “Preparation for what?”

    “The preparation to restore the kingdom to Eternia.” said the old man,  “You too must leave Eternia to prepare yourself for the battle that awaits.”   Without another word the old man raised his hands and the light of the crystals filled the entire interior of Castle Grayskull and enveloped the outside.        In a dazzling brilliance Castle Grayskull vanished from the mortal world.

	When Castle Grayskull disappeared from Eternia She-Ra disappeared from Etheria and thus the final battle to keep Etheria free was lost by the rebels.     Eternia, without the kingdom of Eternos to fight, fell to the Titans rule once more.         Entire countries were forced to worship the Titans as gods or were killed by their elite armies .       One small group remained free though.    The survivors of Eternos had escaped from the watchful eyes of the Titans and built a small society in the Vine Jungle within the Valley of He not too far from the desecrated village of Vulnar.      King Randor and Queen Marlena governed this community as best as they could but the aide of technology was gone .         Man-At-Arms passed away from his injuries as did many of the wounded for lack of medical technology.       Teela filled her father’s role to Randor as best as she could and became a great jungle warrior as she trained the remnants of the Royal Guard in the teachings of the long dead Vulnarians.

       Darkness had now cast its shadow across Eternia and, over the course of the dark months, the free and oppressed had wondered just what had happened to their hero, He-Man.