Masters of the Universe: Legends Never Die by Derek Moreland Chapter One: In the Beginning Sometime long before now.... Someplace far from Earth.... There was a place, a realm of oceans and skies, a realm of deserts and forests, a realm where magic and technology, myth and legend, stood side by side. The land was called Eternia, and it had known peace for many years. But an old evil was about to awaken.... Deep in the Ebony Mountain Range, a strip of land whose only light came from Eternia's twin moons, a dark, dilapidated collection of towers still stood, a testament to the horrors that once plagued the land. Deep within its bowels, beneath several tons on weathered rock, was a cavern carved out by hand. Inside was a coffin, obsidian black, lit on a sides by thick purple candles with wax dripping to the floor. A lone figure knelt at the base of the coffin, as if in prayer. The only sounds in the cave were the occasional drip of water and its steady, shallow breathing. Its form was huge; heavy muscles covered a frame many meters high, and covered all over in dark, auburn fur. In its massive right hand it gripped a sword. Slowly, it rose from its knees, and opened its eyes with a low growl. It twisted the sword experimentally in its hands, unsure of exactly what to do. The water had ceased to drip; the silence of the room was unnatural. The coffin remained still; the candles cast strange, complex shadows on the cavern wall. Suddenly, seized with certain intent, the creature howled, bringing the sword up in a high arc, stabbing it down, piercing the coffin. It drove the blade deep, splintering the lid and stabbing the prone form contained within. A scream that seemed to come from another world suddenly echoed loudly through the cave. At once, a decrepit hand shot up through the already splintered coffin lid. Its skin was thin, and blue as death. The being inside screamed again; this time the sound seemed closer, more tangible to the ear. A blinding light filled the chamber; the coffin lid disintegrated, and the candles were blown out by a silent concussion of power. A final scream, full and harsh and very real, cut itself off as the light dimmed. In the ebony darkness, a figure rose slowly. The blade was still protruding from his chest; with an effort he pulled it out, using the same emaciated hand. The wound glowed silently, then sealed itself. In the figure's hand, the blade begin to glow, illuminating the face in the semi-darkness: a pale grinning skull, red pinpricks of light set far behind the bones of the eyes. The figure stepped out of his former prison and into the chamber. He gazed quietly around the room. His savior, still slightly dazed from the silent explosion, knelt on the floor, his eyes averted, his body still. The figure looked down at his free hand, flexing the fingers. "Amazing," he mumbled. His thin, scratchy voice echoed in the chamber. "But how did I...?" The creature on the floor grunted uncertainly. He looked down, seeing it for the first time. "Ah. I see," he said. "Rise, my servant." The creature did as it was told. "It was you who freed me from my prison, was it not?" The creature snorted. "Humph. I had thought the Beast Men exterminated when I was...dethroned, all those years ago. How fortunate one survived." The creature smiled at the compliment. The figure looked down at his sword. He frowned, the bones of his skull grinding in protest. "Only half? You were unable to attain the complete power sword?" The Beast Man shook its shaggy head. The figure did his best imitation of a sigh. "No matter. I will find it soon enough." Using the glow of the sword, he located the stairs that led to the passage away from the chamber. "Come, my Beast Man," he said. "There is much work to be done, if Skeletor is to once again rule Eternia." * * * "Adam!" The prince woke with a start at the sound of his own name. He sat up quickly, the motion causing the hammock he had be sleeping in to rock suddenly. Unable to regain his balance, Prince Adam fell to the ground with a thud, startling his pet tiger, Cringer. Adam looked up, rubbing the back of his head and grinning sheepishly. "Yes, Father?" King Randor stood before his son in the castle's gardens, a stern look on his face. The garden itself was gorgeous, a tribute to the skills of Adam's mother. It was filled with all kinds of exotic flora, which had been carefully transported to the palace from all over Eternia. Vibrant colors mingled with the rich green grasses that made up a clearing the dense, beautiful foliage. It was in this clearing Randor has found Adam napping, his hammock strung between two strong hanging vines. "Adam, your tutors have looked everywhere for you. You are two hours late for your studies!" Adam brushed a strand of blonde hair from his eyes. "But, Father-" "And not for the first time, as I understand it. How do you expect to rule Eternia when even now you shirk your duties?" "Father, look around you." Adam gestured with his hands. "The sun is warm. The grass and flowers smell sweetly. Why lock myself in a dark chamber when nature is so determined to undermine my attention?" "You misunderstand, my son; it is your responsibility, as both Prince of Eternia and heir to my throne, to receive a proper education." Adam stood up, brushing off his knees with his hands. "Why read about wars and battles when they no longer occur? Eternia is a land of peace, Father. You of all people should know that." He put an arm around Randor's shoulder and smiled. "Come on. Feel the love, Dad." Randor looked deep into his son's eyes. Such innocence, he thought. Almost a man, and yet still very much a child inside. "If only I could rest. Eternia still faces many problems. We cannot be idle simply because-" Adam sighed, the smile on his face faltering. "Then I'll pick up some diplomacy tips later," he said. He rubbed his eyes with his fingers. "Look, I might as well tell you...I had the dream again, Father." Randor's concern was evident in his face. "When?" "Just now, in fact. It was the same as always: the darkness, the fire, the woman...was she a falcon?" He mumbled the last part to himself. "Every time it seems like she's trying to say... something, to tell me where I'm supposed to be. I can never understand, it doesn't...I can't make it out. But I think its getting stronger." "Such is the way of dreams." "Yes, I know. And that's what frightens me." Randor sighed. "I understand your fear. But as you said, Eternia has been at peace for a very long time. I doubt anything could disturb it now." Adam looked his father square in the eye. "I'm no longer sure of that." Randor's face softened. "Adam, do yourself a favor. Go get some exercise. Explore the woods again-you haven't been off the castle grounds for months." Adam smiled out of the corner of his mouth. "Dad, I haven't explored the woods since I was eight." "Just try to get your mind away from this. I'll call off the tutors for today. Go to the market. Just get out of here, clear your head. You need a day off." Randor walked his son to the castle gates, Cringer lazily pawing along behind. "Thanks, Father," Adam called over his shoulder, walking down the grassy slopes outside the castle. He looked to be heading in the direction of the market. When Adam was out of eyesight, Randor's face fell. Adam's dreams bothered him more than he could let on. And a falcon-woman? Could that blasted Sorceress be behind this? Randor suddenly wished he had sent an escort with the prince. Who knew what dangers could soon arise? Adam hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of his lungs as a huge weight smashed into his back. He rolled over as best he could, fighting his way up with his fists, pulling his punches as the huge beast pawed to keep him down. Finally, he managed to slide out from under his attacker. They stood circling each other, Adam's chest heaving from the effort. "Nice shot, pal," he said between breaths. "But I bet you won't get another." Cringer growled in challenge, pawing at the ground, letting his claws skim over the rolling grass of the hills. "So that's how we're gonna play, huh?" Adam managed to squeak out between gasps for air. "Okay, let's play." The tiger lunged again, but this time Adam was ready. He ducked down, allowing Cringer to overshoot his target, and delivering a jab to the cat's midsection. When he landed, Cringer fell on his side, paws up in the air. "Yes! Winner, and still Eternian champion of the world...me." Adam crouched down in front of his pet's face. Cringer's eyes rolled up in the back of his head, and his pink tongue lolled out of his mouth. "You can stop now," Adam said with a grin. Cringer remained still. Adam leaned closer. "YOU CAN STOP-" he began, but was cut off by a lick to the face. The pair wrestled on the ground another few minutes, until Adam was out of breath. Then they both rested, Adam's head on Cringer's midsection, looking up at the sky. Cringer's breath soon slowed to a steady, shallow rate. By the Goddess, that cat can sleep through anything, Adam thought. He closed his eyes for a moment, happy to be away from the castle, away from responsibility. He hated the world; it left a bad taste in his mouth whenever he said it. Why couldn't his father just enjoy life for what it was? What was so wrong with lying back, the smell of clean grass and flowers around, the warm sun on your eyelids, your best friend purring in your ear- Before he could finish the thought, Adam was asleep. And there was darkness, streaked with firelight. And a sound, a terrible sound, like thousands of feet marching in step. And a falcon, a beautiful falcon soaring...no, it was a woman, a woman with feathers...and she was speaking to him, pleading to him, and all of the sudden he knew that the fire in the background was the palace, the palace was burning- Go to Castle Grayskull. Adam woke quickly, sitting up with a start, his eyes open before he was fully aware of his surroundings. He blinked, then looked around, trying to regain his bearings. Forests to the south...a path half a click to northeast heading to...the palace. My home. The palace was burning. "Oh God," he mumbled, then turned to check on Cringer. The cat was already awake, his head tilted, a slightly quizzical look on its face. "Yes. Again," Adam mumbled, putting his head in his hands. Cringer nuzzled his stomach affectionately. Adam patted his head. Words. He had heard the words this time. What was it? Go to Castle Grayskull. Grayskull? he thought. Why go there? Grayskull was nothing more than a ruin, a testament to Eternia's ancient civilizations. How could it be of use to him? Go to Castle Grayskull. It didn't make sense. Grayskull had been around since before the Dark Times, and even then it had been a useless pile of bricks. Go to Castle Grayskull. "Fine," he said to himself. Grayskull was only a few clicks away, no more than a day's walk; he had taken a pilgrimage there with his father once. He wanted answers. Grayskull, at least, promised a start. He looked at Cringer. "Looks like I've got some walking to do. You don't have to come, you know." Cringer licked his face again. "Okay, but I'm not promising you a good time." * * * Skeletor, still weak from his seeming resurrection, was aided by Beast Man to his throne room on the ground floor of Snake Mountain. He sat down on his dilapidated throne, remembering bitterly how he had once ruled all of Eternia from its seat. He sighed, and looked around. His equipment was dusty and untouched; not doubt most of it had failed completely. A new power source would need to be installed to get the computers up again. The carpets were worn and ratty, and had been subject to insects. The tapestries were falling off their hooks. The stones in the walls and floors, once immaculately polished, were now chipped and dull. So much blood had been let in these halls; his divine justice had cleansed the land. Skeletor gripped his thinly padded armrests tightly. How quickly they forget, he mused. "Beast Man!" he called out. The creature lumbered up to him quickly. "Fetch me my cowl and armor. And my staff." He absent-mindedly tapped at the crystal ball on a stand near the throne with a bony finger. It gave him an idea. "And bring us something to eat," he added. "We've got some traveling to do." * * * It was an old house, but it was well kept. The stones and timber that had been used to construct it were old but not decrepit, and a small patch of lawn sat well tended in the front. The house had been carved into the side of a hill, and was surrounded by overgrowth from the trees overhead. It was easy to miss if one was not looking for it. Which was exactly the owner's intention. Its sole occupant sat in the front room, at a desk, piles of old parchment in her hands. A single candle on the desk gave light to the entire room. The walls are made of bookshelves, each one stocked to the brim with leatherbound volumes, maps, loose paper, and the occasional brown pouch of varied contents. About the room are globes, quill pens of various sizes, a large crystal ball, and a fireplace. A room where only the person living there could find anything. Which was again, exactly what the owner intended. The girl herself read furiously, trying to find a needle in a haystack. She had felt an odd disturbance in the land just before nightfall, and intended to find out what it was. Her dark hair hung loose over her shoulders, her skin taking a yellowish cast in the candle light. Her robes were dark and baggy, like a the kind a monk would wear. There was a short, sharp knock at the door. The woman looked up, mildly surprised at the fact that she had an uninvited guest at all. The surprise soon turned to anger then quickly to fear when she realized who it must be. The knock came again, this time far more persistent. The sound was small, like someone using the head of a cane. Or a staff. She sat stock-still in her chair, unable to move. Her eyes were wide. Oh God, she thought. Not yet. Not now. The doorknob turned slightly, as if someone testing it. Then, suddenly, with a terrible crash, the door was ripped from its hinges, splintering quickly. For a moment she could see nothing; blackness filled the doorway. Then he appeared: tall, thinly muscled, taunt bluish skin peeking out from underneath his chest plate. The familiar black cape with purple trim. The staff in hand, a ram's skull ram perched at the tip. And the same skulled face, seemingly floating in the darkness of his hood. She put on a brave face, trying to act nonchalant. "My Lord." Skeletor's cape swished behind him as he entered the room. "Good evening, my dear. I hope we have not disturbed anything important." The woman glanced at the parchments spread across her desk. She tried to sound comfortable. "Of course not, my Lord." "You're looking as beautiful as ever, I must say," Skeletor continued. "In fact, you don't seem to have aged a day since our last...meeting. One tends to wonder how old you really are." He ran a hand silently over her cheek. His skin felt like stone and ice. "Never ask a woman her beauty secrets, Lord." "I will ask anything I please, dear girl," he replied. "Incidentally, do you still go by your old name? The one you received under my tutelage?" Her mind flashed briefly to the time she had served as Skeletor's pupil. She suppressed a shiver. "No, my Lord. I thought it to dangerous, that it would call attention to myself. I'm known as Lynna, now." The skull seemed to grin almost paternally. "Ah, my precious little flower, I christened you Evil Lynn. And that is how I will always remember you." Something about the way he said remember made her heart cold. "So what has my prized student been up to since my forced avocation of Eternia's throne?" She gulped uncertainly. "Why, I trying to find a way to aid you, my Lord. You see-" "Lies," Skeletor cut her off. "I could always tell when you were lying to me, girl. I suggest you not do it again. Besides," he said, leaning so close that the red points in his eyes burned into her own, "a true follower has already beat you to it. As you can see." He stood up again. The nail of his thumb clicked a rhythm against the staff, as if he was thinking. After a minute, he sighed. The nail stopped clicking. "You were always a favorite of mine, Evil Lynn, which is why I offer you a second chance. To be frank, I need new allies if I am to regain control of the throne. I understand Randor has taken certain... precautions over the last thirty years. I need new men, generals who can lead my troops out into the fields of battle. Warriors strong in mind and body, soldiers whom I may lead to certain victory. You will compile a list of those you believe will aid me in my cause." She felt oversized hands, stinking of sweaty fur, close around her neck. "Or my Beast Man will crush your windpipe." She sat only for a moment, a thin line of sweat coming off her brow. "I live to serve you, Lord Skeletor. You know that." The skull grinned. "Of course you do, my dear." * * * Night was falling all over Eternia when Adam finally saw Castle Greyskull in the distance, on the other side of a small stream. The grasslands faded to barren soil at its gates. Adam was glad of the sight; his feet were tired, and in his haste he'd forgotten to bring provisions. He had no idea a day's journey could be so hard on the feet. Cringer limped along beside him, his legs sagging, as if they'd collapse out from under him at any minute. "There she is, pal," Adam said softly. "Hope it was worth the trek." "I hope it was worth your life, human," a voice hissed behind him. Adam spun around. Four small, wiry goblins, beady eyes squinting against the setting sun's glare, had managed to sneak up on them. They were green skinned, with big ears that fanned out from their head. They wore armor crusted over with rust. Their swords, on the other hand, were well taken care of, and very sharp. Their leader stepped forward, his hoofed feet pawing at the ground excitedly. "Money. Jewels. On the ground, now. And you," he pointed at Cringer with his sword, "retract those claws, Kitty. Don't want to see your master get hurt now, do you?" Cringer bared his teeth and growled, but remained still. "I...I really don't have anything with me," Adam stammered. "I didn't think to...bring anything...." "That's to bad, kid," replied the leader, an evil smile twisted on his lips. Adam was suddenly hit from behind; too late, he realized they had somehow surrounded him. Cringer lept to attack the leader; the others already had the point of a sword at his neck, cutting the skin enough for a trickle of blood- When a high-pitched shriek pierced the evening air. The goblins screamed unintelligibly in their own language, running over one another to escape from the sound. Adam looked up and saw the source of the sudden commotion: a large, white falcon was soaring overhead. As Adam watched, it circled slowly downward until it landed lightly on the ground a few feet away. He blinked; in the falcon's place stood a woman. A very human woman, whose clothing, if one could call it that, seemed to be made of golden white feathers. She looked at his face and smiled. "I apologize for the disturbance," she said quietly. Her voice sounded very old and very soft at the same time. "I had not forseen an attack on your journey here." Adam stood up slowly, walked to where the strange woman was standing. Cringer approached cautiously as well, sniffed the air around her, then began to purr. The woman bent down to scratch behind his ears. "Your friend has good taste," she said with another smile. "Yes. Well. Ma'am?" Adam managed. His head hurt a little, and the wound at the base of his neck burned. "Thanks for the save and all, but-I really don't know how to say this, but...you're a Sorceress, aren't you." She looked up at him. "Not a Sorceress, lad." Adam swallowed hard. "You were in my dream," he realized. "Yes. And I would love to explain myself to you, but I would feel more comfortable under the shadow of Castle Grayskull. Come. We have a bit of a walk yet, and I'd like you to see the castle before sunfall." Adam, Cringer, and the Sorceress sat around a small fire at the foot of Castle Grayskull's entrance. The castle itself was a truly magnificent structure; it towered above them, its grey-green bricks worn smooth from time. Adam had marveled at it for a full hour before the Eternian sun had set. Now, under the moon lights, he ate a meal the Sorceress had prepared for him. "So," he said between bites, "you're her, huh? I mean, you are the Sorceress? Guardian of Grayskull? Protector of Eternia? All that?" "Yes," she said simply. She sat on her legs, her hands clasped between her knees, watching him eat. "Fantastic!" he said. "This is amazing! My dad will be very grateful you rescued me from those little bandits back there. He's the king. My name's Adam, by the way." He smiled at her, offering his hand. She took it, but not to shake. Instead she grasped it firmly in her own. "I am familiar with your father, Adam," she said quietly. "And you must believe me when I say he must never be told of what transpires here tonight." "Oh," Adam said, looking at her hand. When his face returned to hers, his eyes shined. "I understand," he said quietly. "And I just want you to know, that, since I laid eyes on you, I've felt the same way. And know that I will always remember this night, no matter how many other woman there are." He smiled slyly. The Sorceress suppressed a laugh. "Adam, how old are you?" "Almost nineteen," he said with a touch of indignance. "And how old do you think I am?" He looked her over with hard eyes. "Twenty six, twenty seven on the outside. Why, how old are you?" She closed her eyes. "When the sun first touched Eternia's shores, and the waters broke against its surface; when the first stones of Grayskull were formed beneath the ground, I was there to protect this land. And here I will stay until the last grains of my castle return to the ground." There was silence for close to a minute. "Oh," Adam said dumbly. He let his hand slip back to his side. "Oh," he said again. Another long pause. "Then why in the name of the Evil One did you save me?" he finally exploded. "I think," she said quietly, "that you just answered your own question." Adam stared at her. She looked to be in pain. "I don't understand." "Ancient history, Adam. History that is grafting itself to the present." He scratched his head absent-mindedly. "I still don't catch your meaning." The Sorceress sighed. "Long ago, hundreds of years ago, a young man came into more power than he could ever imagine. Or control. A traveler by nature, the man was exploring Eternia when he found, deep within the Texia Jungles, an artifact called the Sword of Power. With it, he entered Castle Grayskull, ravaging its arcane secrets and technology. He even found a way to...he enslaved me. "Then, armed with the knowledge of the ancients and the strength and magic of the power sword, the man created armies out of entire races: the Beast Men, the Frost Giants, the Water Drakes-all fell under his command. The Beast Men were particularly ferocious and fiercely loyal to their master. With these armies, he destroyed the government and set himself up as ruler. "Eternia spent hundreds of years under his thumb, and all the while, evil and terror ruled. Thousands dying at his whim, while he himself never aged. The power of the sword, which he kept always by his side, rotted his flesh until almost nothing was left. The peasants took to calling him `Skeletor,' mocking his plight. But the man took the name as his own: his face became the symbol of his status and power. Finally, a mere thirty years ago, a young man found a spell that would end Skeletor's reign of terror. At the risk of his own life, he spoke the spell that split the power sword into two halves. Skeletor fell the moment the life sustaining energies of the power sword no longer supported him. Without his guidance, his minions quickly deserted or were vanquished. The Beast Men, Skeletor's favored henchmen, were destroyed; they were to violent and unstable to merely detain." The Sorceress looked deep into the Prince's eyes. "Adam, the man who destroyed Skeletor was also crowned King of Eternia shortly hereafter. Randor, your father, is the reason Eternia is now a planet of peace." "My father?" Adam's head was spinning, but somehow, he knew it was true. Other questions kept nagging him, however. "So what happened to the half of the power sword?" One part was buried deep within the Orb Sah Deserts. It was thought that it would be suicide for someone to attempt to find it. The other half is kept in a hidden room in the Heart of Castle Grayskull itself, where I can maintain its safety." "But doesn't a person need both halves to enter Grayskull?" "Exactly," she said, a slight edge to her tone of voice. "So...so why tell me all this? Why not let my dad tell me? I don't understand... what does this have to do with my dream?" Adam closed his eyes, rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "What does all this have to do with me?" "Everything," the Sorceress replied. "I'm not sure how to explain this.... Eternia has a very rigid magical field, like a piece of rope that has been drawn taut. Any fluctuation in that field sends off...vibrations, ripples that anyone with enough training can pick up easily. Recently, the field has been sending waves of increasing strength. I have every reason to believe someone that someone...that somehow, one half of the power sword has been unearthed." Adam sat back, shocked. "But you said that was impossible!" "Improbable, Adam. Nothing is impossible. Besides, nothing else would disturb the field like this." "I still don't know what any of this has to do with me," Adam said, beginning to stand up. "You should tell my dad about this, he's the soldier-" "Adam." The Sorceress's tone was harsh. She stood up. "Whatever unearthed that sword is now in possession of incredible power. The people of this land, even your father, need a warrior, a man who can protect them. They need a hero." She pulled a sword from behind her back. For all he could tell, it just appeared there. "This is the other half of the power sword," she said evenly. The sword started to glow faintly. "It's magic is the only protection we have from its twin. Legend has it that whosoever wields this sword, and speaks the proper incantation, shall become the most powerful man in the universe. He will become...He-man." "He-man," Adam said, smirking slightly. "It's a bit redundant, don't you think?" The Sorceress ignored him. "Eternia needs you, Adam. Take the sword." Adam stood up quickly, the smile gone from his face, his hands up in a slightly defensive gesture. "You gotta be kidding, lady," he said, backing away slowly. "I'm not a hero. I'm not even an adult yet. Give it to my dad, he'd know what to do with it-" "I have looked into the sands of time. You have been chosen to wield the sword against the coming evil. It is your destiny. Take the sword." Adam started to run, calling back over his shoulder, "I can't, I've got studies, responsibilities-" Without warning, the Sorceress through the sword at him. It glowed brightly as it sailed towards him. He put his hands up to protect his face- And somehow the hilt slipped into his hand. Instinctively, he gripped it; a warm, not-unpleasent tingling ran up his arm. But other than that.... "I don't feel any different," he said. The Sorceress walked up to him. Cringer, awoken by the commotion, pawed next to Adam sleepily. "You must say the words," the woman said quietly. "You have the power, Adam. You know the words. Use them." And suddenly, he did know. More clearly than he had known anything in his life he knew what he had to say. He threw back his head, staring into the night sky; he thrust the sword into the air, and with all his strength, bellowed: "BY THE POWER OF GRAYSKULL...I HAVE THE POWER!" Lightning screamed around him, and the world when white. Then as soon as it began, it ended, Adam blinking at the sudden return to darkness. But he wasn't Adam, at least not entirely. He felt...taller? He looked down at himself. Instead of his usual tunic, he wore nothing but what looked like fury underwear and leather boots. His muscles bulged underneath him. He looked up. "Am..am I still me?" he asked. His voice was deep and booming. "Yes," the Sorceress laughed quietly. "Give the power a moment to connect with you. You should become adjusted to the changes in a moment." Beside them came a light snarl. He-man looked around to see that Cringer, too, had been affected by the sword. He had grown to almost twice his height and length; he was big enough now that even a man as large as He-man could easily ride on his back. He was also covered in blood-red armor. "I must leave you now," the Sorceress said. "I can only spend so much time outside Grayskull's walls, and daylight is nearly upon us. Go to the Cohn forests. You will find allies there." "Wait!" He-man called out. "This new evil...could it be Skeletor?" "I don't know," the woman replied weakly. "My guess is no...but anything is possible." And with that, she'd turned into a falcon and flew away. He-man sheathed the sword into his belt. "Come on, `Battle Cat,'" he said, pulling the name from a memory he didn't know he had. "We better get back to the palace. Adam's father is going to kill him."