Firstly I would like to say that I am not a writer but over the years I have been inspired by the excellent fan-fictions on here and decided to try and write a story of my own. I have used various influences (mainly from the MYP cartoons) and I hope if you read you will enjoy. Many thanks for looking!!
Masters of the Universe - A Hero Lost
Prologue
Despondos a dark, empty void in time and space with no escape and for centuries the prison of the evil Horde. Hordak sits on his throne, thinking & frustrated. This should not be his prison it was meant for his greatest enemies, King Grayskull and his Council of Elders. But when Grayskull had sacrificed himself the spell had reversed and sent Hordax and his minnions here. They had never aged from the day they were exiled and this was part of the torture of Despondos. Never to age, never to set foot on Eternia again. Sending King Grayskull here should have been the perfect punishment for him. But no it was he and his evil horde who have suffered.
So many times he had tried to escape this prison and failed. He could still contact people on Eternia through his strongholds. First the warlord Prahvus who had been given horde technology in a hope that with a world without King Grayskull he could take over Castle Grayskull and find the key to release him but he was stopped by the new protector Vikor.Then there had been the wizard Keldor who's magical power showed much promise but he had started to get ideas of his own and when he needed saving after defeat at the hall of wisdom Hordak had planted an evil spirit from Despondos, the Demo-Man into the magic that turned Keldor into Skeletor in a hope of controlling him. But Skeletor had managed to unite with the spirit and destroy one of his stongholds. Then Evil Lynn attempted to release him at another stronghold the Well of Darkness but the new champion of Grayskull, He-Man had stopped her and destroyed the Well. But Hordax and the Evil Horde would not be denied.
Then he feels it, his eyes burn red and power crackles around him "Shadow Weaver" he shouts in a evil and terrifying voice
"Yes my lord" replies Hordak's main sorceress Shadow Weaver in a low raspy voice, as she floats over to her master almost ghost like. Her face covered but her yellow eyes burning bright.
She bows in front of him "How can I serve you"?
"The time has come for us to return to Eternia and for me to take what belongs to me. The power of the ancients and for the Horde to take their revenge on Eternia and the heirs of Grayskull" says Hordak almost smiling, showing his razor sharp teeth
"How my lord we have tried so many times without success. What has changed"? replies Shadow Weaver
"I have felt the power of the Ancients leave Eternia. That same power that was responsible for reversing my spell and sending us here as now left. I can feel the spell keeping us here weakening" say's Hordak almost excited at this turn of events
"What do we need to do my lord"? replies Shadow Weaver
"We need to reach someone on Eternia and guide them to my last stronghold, the Fright Zone and then we can return" says Hordak sitting back in his throne feeling his power growing stronger!!
A cloaked figure approaches Hordak's throne "Will we be returning to Eternia, master"? comes a female voice from under the hood
"Yes my child" replies Hordak in an almost tender voice for someone so evil
"Then we will take revenge on the heirs of Grayskull for sending us here and for killing my parents, who had stood up to their tyrannical ways" says the cloaked female with so much anger in her voice
"Yes my child we will take our revenge on the heirs of Grayskull and you will have your vengeance for the murder of your parents" Replies Hordak
Present day
The sun sets over Eternos city a beautiful sight as the sky turns a dark red just before night sky sets in. Duncan the Man-At-Arms walks out of his work shop and onto the balcony that looks out over the great city of Eternos. A city he had helped to rebuild after it had nearly been destroyed during the great unrest. This was the time his mentor Dekker (the previous Man-At-Arms) had decided to step down from his post and Duncan had reluctantly taken over and helped his best friend, Randor the newly appointed King design and build the great city.
That felt like such a long time ago, a time when evil had been pushed away from the light hemisphere and into the dark hemisphere. Sixteen years had passed so fast, before the evil had escaped from the dark hemisphere and Skeletor and his evil warriors had brought war back to Eternia. But then Prince Adam of Eternos had been choosen to become the rightful heir to the power of Grayskull and became Eternia's new champion He-Man. Over the next two years other heroes had joined the fight and what once had been the defenders had become the Masters. They had thwarted all of Skeletors attacks and when an ancient evil had returned to Eternia in King Hiss and his Snakemen army they had managed to defeat them and capture King Hiss.
He had dared to think that maybe this was a time when the people of Eternia could relax and once again remember a time of peace, until one week ago when two space ships had appeared just south of the city walls. The two ships crews had brought a message from a far off galaxy.The leader a man called Flipshot, who's body armour technology allowed him flight and was far beyond anything Man-At-arms had seen (Duncan had managed to obtain some of this technology). Flipshot had stated that He-Man was needed to stop a war that could destroy their galaxy. They had sought a audience with the Sorceress and she had allowed He-Man to travel with Flipshot and his crew but the final choice was He-Man's.
Whilst this had been happening Skeletor had learnt of these space travellers and taken hostage of one of the crew called Hydron. He had then left Eternia on the ship and this had made He-man's choice easier. He had decided to travel with Flipshot to help them and also stop Skeletor. In the last hours before He-Man had departed, as Prince Adam he had gathered the royal family and the entire Masters. In front of them all he had taken out his power sword and transformed into He-Man and finally revealed his secret. There was shock and confusion from everyone present and so many questions but He-Man had, had to leave and it was Duncan who was left to answer to everyone!!
When He-Man/Prince Adam had left with Flipshot. Eternia had lost its greatest champion and the Masters had lost their leader in He-Man. Eternos had lost its Prince and the King and Queen had lost their son and Man-at-Arms had lost his student, friend and comrade in war. In parts he was proud of the choice He-Man had made to travel out into the galaxy but he was also disappointed because there was still evil present on Eternia and people who still needed him.
The past week had been hard on Man-At-Arms. He had to answer to his best friend, who was also his King. The man who he had fought in the great unrest with and the man who was father of Prince Adam. In the 40 years he'd know Randor they had never fallen out, but since the revelations Randor found it hard to speak with him and blamed him for putting his son at harm and for lying to him. That was just the start, then there was his daughter Teela, she was furious that her own father had kept such a secret from her. She had constantly judged Adam for his cowardness. How would she react if she knew that he had kept from her that her mother was alive and that she was the Sorceress of Grayskull and her destiny was to one day take over from her. Then lastly the masters wanted to know how he could keep this from them and who would now lead them.
All this had brought him to where he was stood. He took off his helmet and ran his hand through his hair. Some of those brown hairs had started turning grey and has he then ran his hand down his rugged face, for the first time he began to feel battle worn and his age. The last two years of battle, of the lies had taken its toll on him. He looked into the now dark sky towards the stars and wondered where and how He-Man was. Maybe it was time for him to take a leave of absence from Eternos, from the masters, from war. He looked out towards the large trees of the Evergreen Forest and thought yes its time to leave. He began planning, Lt Spector was a worthy Man-At-Arms and with Skeletor gone and King Hiss captured it was the perfect time to change.
Good to see Duncan getting centre stage for once - he's such a stalwart and often taken for granted, too.
I like the way you portray his feelings; hard for him to be forever the go-between for Adam/He-Man and the rest - esp. a disappointed father in the king and a scornful Teela.
And now he's gone - and the secret is out (brave of you!) and holding the fort in his absence will not be easy - particularly for Duncan!
Considering that you claim not be a writer (whatever one of those is...) I am genuinely impressed by this early endeavour - and will be hoping to see more!
The following morning as the sun rose over Eternos City, Man-At-Arms sat in his workshop. But for once he wasn't making something or repairing a vehicle, this time he was doing
something harder. He was finalising the letters and his plans for a life has no longer been the royal Man-At-Arms. he looked around the workshop at the wind raider, the battle ram and attack-track all vehicles he had invented to help in the battle against evil. He looked at the table to his left, under the covers were his latest inventions using the technology he had been given by the space traveller Flipshot. He had tried to use science to balance the magic on Eternia, he had done so much good as the Man-At-Arms. But all that seemed to be forgotten after the events of the last week.
He stopped writing the last letter and let his mind wonder to Castle Grayskull and its keeper the Sorceress. He hadn't heard from her since He-mans departure, this was the second time she had left him alone to sort things. Firstly after they had met when she had revealed herself and Castle Crayskull during the Great Unrest and helped them against Keldor and his forcers. After they had become good friends and they had fallen in love. He loved her so much, she was no longer the Sorceress to him but Teela-Na. She had fallen pregnant and given birth to a baby girl, this should have been the happiest time of his life. However she had told him about the prophercy for the guardian of Grayskull and the destiny for their daughter. How she could not help him raise their daughter and he could never tell her of her destiny. He had named her Teela and raised her by himself and had to lie to her about her mother and true heritage. Then after Prince Adam had revealed himself to be He-Man and then left Eternia, it had been himself who had been left to answer all the questions and explain the lies. He banged down hard on the table in anger, he felt so bitter. He wanted to lash out and smash something to let out the pain, no he needed to focus and finish his planning. His mind wondered back to the Sorceress, she had her duties as had he. But now Eternia was much safer maybe she would be released from her duties and once again he could be back with his love, Teela-Na.
Sir, sir... Man-at-Arms... Duncan was broke from his thoughts, stood in front of him was a young mechanic who had been working on a Wind Raider when Duncan had banged down on the table.
"Sir are you alright?" asked the Mechanic
"Erm yes, thank you" replied Duncan now with his thoughts back
"Is there anything I can get you?" asked the Mechanic
"No thank you, Im alright" replied Duncan politely
The mechanic started to walk back to the Wind Raider he was working on. "Actually could you take these three letters to the royal messengers and ask them to be delivered to the adressees please" asked Duncan. He passed the letters to the mechanic, who then walked away with the letters. Well no turning back now thought Duncan and smiled.
A few hours later King Randor walked into the war room. He had done so many briefings in this room has Captain Randor and all those times he had been with Duncan his Man-At-Arms. The last week had been tough their friendship had been tested he was angry that Duncan had lied to him and put his son in danger. But his wife Marlena had tried to be the voice of reason to him, she had explained the pressure Duncan must have been under and how proud they should be of Adam. He was glad that Duncan had asked to meet him, he hoped they could work things out. He began looking at some of the reports on the briefing table, scout reports near the dark hemisphere. He heard someone walk into the room and looked up to see Teela the Captain of the royal guards walk in. She was the same age as Adam and had done so well to become Captain of the royal guards at such a young age. but she had earned that honour on the battlefield in countless battles. She was surprised to see her King stood in the room.
"My King, what are you doing here, did my father ask you?" asked a clearly surprised Teela, now bowing in front of her King
"Ah Teela, yes he did and how are?" asked King Randor
"My King I am sorry for abruptness. The last week as been so hard. Do you know why my father asked for us?" asked a confused Teela
"No Teela I am unsure has to why your father asked us to be here. But I do know that in this past week I have neglected your father and our friendship" replied King Randor
"Yes my King as have I. I have found this week so hard and I have hardly spoken to my father. I am worried about him" said Teela
Beofre Randor could reply the door opened and in walked Lt Spector, he was a couple of years older than both Teela and Adam and was regarded highly within the Eternos army. When Randor had been selecting a new Captain of the guard he'd almost given it to Spector. Both Randor and Duncan had fought in the great unrest alonside his father Donesk who was an excellent strategist. Randor had always hoped that Adam would be like him instead of being lazy. But now knowing what he knew this thought made him sad. Lt Spector was clearly shocked to see King Randor and Teela. "My King, Capt Teela" said Spector bowing
"Lt Spector" replied King Randor "Did Man-At-Arms ask you to attend?"
"Yes Sire he did" replied Lt Spector
"Mmm well the plot thinkens as to why he would ask us all to be here" spoke King Randor
They all heard voices from outside and the door opened again and in walked Man-At-Arms closley followed by his brother Fisto. "Hello everyone and thank you for being here" said Duncan.
"My King, Teela, Lt Spector hello" bellowed Fisto, his deep voice fitting his vast size. He was over six feet tall and was very muscular. His name came from his right hand that was extemely large and powerful. He had fought in the great unrest but had been belived dead during the battles of Perpetua.That was until last year when they had found him in a Tavern in a small town near the Mystic Mountains. Upon being ambushed by the snakemen, He-Man, Duncan and Ram-Man had been trapped under a cave-in and it had been Fisto who saved them by puching a hole through the cave-in. This had come at a terrible cost and his right fist was broken behond medical repair. Duncan had covered his hand with a metal glove made of Eternium which allowed him to use his right hand again and he had become an important master.
"father why have you asked us all here?" asked Teela
"The last week as been tough on me as have the last two years of battle" replied Duncan. He paused this was going to be hard to say, he felt like changing his mind.
"I have lost some trust from the people I care the most about. You Randor my best friend and my king, the person I swore to serve and protect. The friend I would always be there for and never lie to. Believe me my friend it was so hard keeping the truth from you, I never meant to hurt you or Marlena. I know how dissappointed you are in me but I did what I had for the greater good of Eternia" spoke Duncan in a sad and regretful tone.
He then turned to his daughter Teela "Teela my daughter I am so proud of you and what you have accomplished. But my heart is heavy with lies I have told you and also what I haven't told you. I led you to believe your oldest friend Prince Adam was lazy and a coward and this drove a wedge between you both. I want you to know Adam was so proud to become He-Man but one of things that hurt him about this was the effect it had on your friendship"
"Fa... father" stumbled Teela but Duncan stopped her
"Please let me finish, I have so much I want to tell you about your mother. But my daughter I can't and I am bound not to and that pain hurts me everyday" Spoke Duncan with such sadness.
The reason I asked you all here was not only to apologise to the people I care about the most but to also make an anouncement. After much thought, I have decided to take a leave of absence from my duties as the Man-At-Arms for one full years cycle. I will live away from Eternos and take up a plot in the Evergreen Forest. Before any of you start, I will not be talked out of this. I need this time and with Skeletor no longer on Eternia and King Hiss in prison, then this is the perfect time to do this" said Duncan in a more commanding tone.
All were in shock from what they had just heard and Teela was the first to speak "Father you can't you are still neeeded here and there are still dangers in Eternia. What about the Evil Warriors"
"I have planned Teela. the Evil Warriors have no leader and will fight between themselves without Skeletor's leadership and I think the masters can handle this without me" said Duncan.
He turned to Lt Spector "You mave have wondered why I asked you here. Well both King Randor and myself fought alongside your father who was an excellent stratergist and fighter and you remind me so much of him. These are the qualities needed for a Royal Man-At-Arms and with the Kings blessing then I would like you to take this roll in my absence"
"Sir I am honoured but are you sure?" asked a clearly stunned Lt Spector
"I am sure about this" Duncan turned to his brother Fisto "Malcom, its been a year since we found you and you became a master. In this time you have taught not only Teela, He-man and the other masters so much in hand to hand and close combat. with your battle experience you are perfect to lead the masters"
"What" bellowed Fisto "Duncan I am older than you, I can't lead the masters, someone younger is needed to lead them"
"I have already thought of this. Stratos, Buzz Off, Moss Man and Sy-Klone have other duties and Teela is Captain of the Royal Guard. Of the masters who live in Eternos I don't think Ram-Man, Meckaneck or Man-E-Faces with the greatest of respect would be leaders. But you Fisto can lead for the time being" said Duncan
"Well I would be willing to lead in the short term but who would take over?" asked Fisto
"Well brother I think it is time that your protege Clamp-Champ stopped just competing in the Eternian games and became a Master and with your's and the other masters guidance can become a worthy leader of the Masters" said Duncan
"Well even though I don't want you to leave brother, I understand your reasons and I would be willing to do this and I think Clamp-Champ will be very excited to take on this new role as a master" replied Fisto
"What says you my King" asked Duncan turning to King Randor
"My friend, the last week or so has been very hard on me but I have realised that I should not be angry with you but angry with myself. I know you would never have done anything to hurt myself or Marlena and you did what you did to protect us and we will talk more before you leave. I am happy to grant you a leave of absence but you have to let myself and Marlena visit you" said King Randor
He walked over and embraced his best friend Duncan. Randor then looked over at a clearly upset Teela and then said "Fisto, Lt Spector come with me we have lots of preperations to undertake before Duncan leaves us.
They all said their goodbyes to both Duncan and Teela and left the room. Teela looked over at her father, he had always been their for her. She began to cry "Father please..." but before she could finish her sentance Duncan took hold of her and hugged his daughter. Teela began to cry more.
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