“Point Dread”

Part Four

---

“So let me ask you a question,” Man-At-Arms started.

“Yes?”

“Why is it Skeletor is just now getting to Point Dread?”

“It takes a great amount of power to access the information in the Golden Discs. Skeletor may have had help from the Cosmic Enforcer named Zodak.”

“What’s a Cosmic Enforcer?” asked Sy-Klone of Fisto.

“No idea.”

“The Cosmic Enforcers are an organization of powerful beings who patrol the universe to maintain the balance between good and evil,” Zanthos answered.

He-Man had the strangest feeling Zanthos was hiding something, but he let it slide. The Attack-Track was back up and running now and moving quickly south once more.

“That Zodak is here indicates that my crime of giving Skeletor the Golden Discs must be dealt with.” He said this with a hint of resentment and shame.

“Skeletor is full of tricks, Zanthos. I too have been suckered to his side by his lies,” Fisto said to him.

Zanthos smiled a little. “Then together, we shall seek redemption.”

---

When I talk to Ileena about my weekend, do I need to include this? Teela thought to herself as she rushed down through a massive valley. Her new hooves thundered across the dirt. She could feel her tail (!) flying in the wind. The new muscles of her lower torso came at the command of a strange new instinct. Apparently, whatever spell had been cast upon her gave her automatic knowledge and skill to operate the new body.

Teela came to a halt, her hooves kicking up dirt. She stood at the edge of a small village of Centaurs. Her heart pounded with anxiousness. She gulped, seeing that they were dressed in a different manner than she. Her uniform had been altered to fit her new form (the bottom of which didn’t feel as naked as she thought it would thanks to the fur).

The village was small, but there were many other Centaurs there, ranging from children to elderly. Part of her felt excited about seeing these new beings that had only been rumored to exist.

“Who are you?” asked one Centaur, a rather burly looking male.

“I am . . . uh . . . my name is Teela,” she said. “I come from Point Dread. Terrible creatures have attacked. Evil and vile creatures.” She held out the charm. The burly Centaur took it and looked deeply at it. After a moment, he handed it back to Teela.

“We heard the thunder of battle from here,” the Centaur said. “My name is Gragox. Go forth and tell your people that reinforcements are on the way.”

Teela nodded contently. “Thank you, but I think I’d rather go with you. The battle is quite vicious.”

“Of course. Remain here. I will have my people ready in an hour.”

---

Panthor roared out and jumped. His claws met with the back of a Centaur warrior, ripping the hide. Skeletor summoned forth a bolt of lightning that struck the Centaur, finishing off the job. Skeletor then strode forth, looking to the top of Point Dread.

“Come, Panthor,” Skeletor said. He pulled out the Sword of Darkness. From its blade came massive bolts of black lightning that struck many approaching Centaurs. They crumbled against the attack. Despite their holding their own, it was time for back-up.

“Zodak?” asked Skeletor of his new ally. “Time for the second part of our plan.”

Zodak nodded. Holding out his hands, there was a burst golden light. Suddenly, fifty Hover Robots appeared in the sky, descending upon the battle. With the Evil Warriors already at work against the Centaurs, the Hover Robots added to the chaos. Lasers fell upon those that were still using only spears and bows. The Centaurs were being slaughtered.

And then, quite suddenly, a terrible gale force wind came upon the battle.

Nearly half the Hover Robots were struck by the wind and slammed together. A dozen small mini-tornadoes formed, pulling the Hover Robots together. Within only a few minutes, they were slag. The wind died down and the Heroic Warriors appeared on the scene.

“MORE OF THEM!” shouted one Centaur.

“No, we’re here to help!” He-Man replied, striking down one of the Hover Robots, trying to prove his point.

“Liar!” exclaimed another Centaur.

“HALT!” yelled Thane, rushing over. “To you not know!? This is the one! This is the Avatar of the Ancients! He who is the Man! He-Man!”

The two Centaurs looked suddenly at their leader, surprised at his reaction to this outsider. He-Man was confused. Thane had an expression of reverence on his face.

“I am happy you are here, He-Man,” Thane said.

“Where I am needed . . .” He-Man attempted, not sure what was going on.

“Forgive me, but there is a statue of your likeness in the center of Point Dread. We know you can be trusted.”

“Thank you,” He-Man replied. “My allies are here to help.”

Thane smiled. “Then . . . let it be!”

He-Man, Thane, and the Heroic Warriors entered the fray of battle. “Where is Skeletor?” He-Mans asked as he struck down another robot.

“I do not know,” Thane responded, but He-Man had already spotted Skeletor. He was nearly at the top of Point Dread.

“I need to go after him,” He-Man replied. “If he gets the key to Castle Grayskull, all is lost.”

At that moment, the sounds of horns went into the air. Thane and He-Man looked to the east and saw Teela, Gragox and the reinforcements arriving. He-Man nodded to Thane, then started running.

---

Upon the top of Point Dread was a pair of statues. Skeletor immediately recognized who they were. Master, leader of the Ancients and Elder, leader of the Council of Elders. They stood across from each other arms outstretched. Both hands were holding a box, which surely contained the key to Castle Grayskull.

Skeletor was just about to reach the statues when he suddenly a great weight come against him. He was tossed about eight feet to the left. He rose quickly and saw his enemy. A Minotaur wearing thick battle armor. Skeletor had heard only whispers of such creatures!

“If you wish to claim the key, you must answer my three riddles!”

“No.”

Skeletor unleashed a blast from his Havoc Staff. The Minotaur went flying back, body smoldering. Dead or alive, Skeletor didn’t care. Victory was his. He reached for the box. He could feel the energy of some sort of curse. Skeletor whispered a few magic words and the curse was gone. His fingers grasped the box. The lock was enchanted, but Skeletor was far more powerful than the enchantment. It came undone. The box came open. The key to Castle Grayskull sat within.

Skeletor held in his hand the key to Castle Grayskull. As the sun dimmed upon the horizon, the key seemed to light up a little. Skeletor could sense its power, its magic. At his command, it could force the jawbridge to fall open. Any door of Castle Grayskull could be opened.

He held in his hand victory.

He should have been paying attention.

He-Man leapt over, fist slamming in Skeletor in the face. The key went tumbling out of his hand. He-Man caught it.

“No one shall have this key, Skeletor,” He-Man decreed.

“I do not think so,” Skeletor countered. From his Havoc Staff came a powerful beam of energy. However, instead of striking He-Man, it instead hit an invisible force field. Skeletor looked over and saw Zanthos arrive on the scene. Zodak, who was standing nearby, took special note of Zanthos’ arrival.

He-Man threw the key upon the ground. Then, with intense strength and speed, he struck it with the Sword of Power. The key seemed to explode. Power swirled from its remains, then slammed into the Sword of Power, which glowed in the aftermath.

“Curse you!” Skeletor cried out. He struck at He-Man again, but this time, Zodak blocked the beam. Zodak moved right between He-Man and Skeletor.

“The balance has been served,” Zodak proclaimed. “Your time here at Point Dread is over.”

“WHY YOU DOUBLE-CROSSING -- ” Skeletor began.

Zodak snapped his fingers.

Skeletor, Panthor, and the Evil Warriors below vanished.

“Where are they? What did you do to them?” questioned He-Man.

Zodak turned to He-Man. “Is that concern in your voice, He-Man? Interesting. You are quite mature beyond your years and experience. Nonetheless, I returned them to Snake Mountain. They will most certainly be a threat to you once more.”

He-Man grunted a little. “Okay,” was all he could muster.

Zodak turned to Zanthos. “We have unfinished business.”

Zanthos lowered his head. “Of this, I am certain.”

“He-Man,” Zodak then addressed. “I will need your help. Wrap up your business here and gather your Heroic Warriors. I will teleport us where we need to be then.”

“And just where is that?”

“The City of Wisdom,” Zodak replied. He-Man understood. Years ago, it was once the Hall of Wisdom, seat of the Council of Elders. In their absence, it became a university for teenagers.

He-Man went down from the mountain. The Heroic Warriors were standing next to Teela. Before them all was Thane, the one who had regarded He-Man with a great amount of reverence. Gragox was by his side. He-Man thought of a few words to say, hoping they sounded professional.

“We will be leaving Point Dread now, Thane. I should tell you that your Cult is no longer needed. Your people have done a exemplary job in protecting the mountain and the key of Castle Grayskull.”

Thane bowed down. “I thank you, He-Man, avatar of the Ancients and champion of Grayskull. We shall disband, as you wish. But may I ask that we still live here, at Point Dread?”

“You may do whatever you want. You are free from your services.”

Thane smiled. “Many thanks, again.”

He-Man started to turn back to the Heroic Warriors when Thane caught his attention.

“May I ask of you a question?”

“Of course,” He-Man responded with a friendly smile.

“Where is the other?”

“What other?”

“The woman. Next to you, there is a statue of another such as you. A woman.”

He-Man shrugged. “Perhaps the Sorceress.”

“Perhaps.”

“He-Man,” Zodak then said, arriving with Zanthos. “We have a task to complete.”

“Of course.”

He-Man, Teela, Sy-Klone, Mekaneck, Man-At-Arms, Fisto, and Man-E-Faces joined Zanthos and Zodak. Zodak held his arms out. There was a distinct blue glow and they all vanished.

“Strange,” Gragox said to Thane. “The woman, Teela. The emissary you sent out. She went with them.”

“I sent no emissary,” Thane replied. “She must have been one of theirs. Transformed, perhaps, to get your trust.”

“Oh.” Gragox sighed. “It saddens me. I was going to ask her to dinner.”

---

“Oh great!” Teela shouted as they appeared in the library of the City of Wisdom. “My old school! So all my underclassmen friends and teachers are going to see me like this!”

“Teela, quiet,” Duncan scolded.

They followed Zodak through the library and into the old main chamber of the Hall of Wisdom. It had since been turned into a classroom and even in the late hours of the day, students and teachers were there. They were all awestruck by the sight of a wizard, He-Man, Zodak, a Centaur (that some recognized as Teela), and the Heroic Warriors walking in.

“If you will all please leave this building,” He-Man ordered.

As people began to leave, Zodak lifted his arms. The desks, chairs, tables, and other such furniture shifted to the walls.

“All of you save He-Man and Zanthos please stand away,” Zodak commanded.

“Zodak, what is happening here?” asked He-Man.

“I am here to issue judgement on behalf of the Council of Elders,” Zodak responded. “Zanthos committed a crime by giving the gift of the Golden Discs of Knowledge to Skeletor.”

“But he helped us!” argued He-Man.

“That matters not, He-Man. While I understand your compassion and commend it, justice must be done.”

“He is right, He-Man,” Zanthos agreed. “I have done a crime. I must therefore bare the burden of responsibility.”

“Lift up the Sword of Power, He-Man,” Zodak said. “Through your connection with it, seek out the power of the Elders.”

He-Man concentrated on the connection between himself and Sword of Power. He could sense the presence and power of the Elders within it. A white glow appeared around the Sword of Power.

Shafts of silver light then rose up from floor. He-Man could see forms appear in these shafts. People. Ghosts. However, one of them – a man carrying a book and a staff - seemed to solidify. And while all of these forms were connected to the power of Grayskull, the man wasn’t being channeled like the others.

The man strode to Zanthos, who stood between all of these ghosts. He spoke a few words. Zanthos nodded and replied. He-Man could not hear them, save but whispers. The man then turned to Zodak. They didn’t speak, but He-Man could almost sense telepathy being done. The man sighed heavily and turned to Zanthos. He spoke one short phrase.

Zanthos’ shoulders dropped and nodded sadly.

The man turned to He-Man, his face obscured by his hood. He raised his hand. He-Man felt a connection immediately. The Sword of Power withdrew its energies. The spirits – who were in fact the Elders – vanished. The man faded away.

He-Man lowered the Sword of Power.

Zodak walked over to Zanthos. “Are you ready?” asked Zodak.

“I am,” Zanthos responded. He then looked to He-Man. In return, He-Man being still young despite his appearance, looked away.

“To the Phantom Zone, then!” Zodak proclaimed.

He-Man looked back and watched as energy started to swirl around Zanthos. Zanthos’ body lit up brightly . . . then was gone.

He-Man sighed and hung his head. The furniture was moved back into place. He-Man went to approach Zodak, but found the Cosmic Enforcer was gone as well.

“Was that Eldor?” asked Mekaneck.

“Yes. I . . . I never thought I’d see any of the Elders again,” Duncan responded.

“Father, I’m . . . I’m still a Centaur.”

“We’ll take to you to the Sorceress.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

The group walked out of the Hall of Wisdom, which had attracted a bit of a crowd. The Attack-Track was waiting for them there.

“How about the rest of you take this back to Eternos? We’ll be heading to Castle Grayskull,” He-Man said to the Heroic Warriors.

“Are you sure?” asked Man-E-Faces.

“Yes.”

Sy-Klone turned to Mekaneck as they boarded. “Do all these little adventures like this?”

“Most,” Mekaneck answered. “But not all of them feel this . . . down.”

He-Man silently agreed. While the mission was successful, the business with Zanthos was quite upsetting. His chance for redemption seemed dashed. Now he was a prisoner of the Phantom Zone.

The trio walked the paths into the nearby Evergreen Forest. It was well after dark when they entered the forest and they felt rather exhausted. They didn’t have much to say as they trekked northward. The forest was full sounds of the night.

Near midnight, they arrived at Castle Grayskull. It stood in the moonlight as it always did.

The jawbridge opened, the Sorceress awaiting their arrival. She sat in her throne, watching them approach. At the center of the room was Zodak himself.

“I’m a little confused,” He-Man confessed. “The Cosmic Enforcers are supposed to serve the balance. What balance was tipped? It seems like nothing happened.”

“The scales were against Skeletor as a result of Cult of Point Dread. To restore the balance, the Cult of Point Dread needed to be disbanded. Only by destroying the key to Castle Grayskull could it be done. I could not point you in that direction, so I went to Skeletor and did what I needed to do. It was then I discovered that he found the Golden Discs. The rest you know.”

He-Man nodded. “Yes. I do.”

“Now that is that I have had my peace with you and the Sorceress before you arrived, I must depart.” Zodak began to float up. “You shall see me again.”

With that, Zodak vanished in a burst of blue light and energy.

The Sorceress stood up and walked down the steps from her throne. “Teela, I must speak with Man-At-Arms and He-Man alone.”

Teela sighed. “That’s fine, but can you - ”

The Sorceress waved her arms gracefully. Teela felt light and energy overcome her. The part of her that was a Centaur vanished, replaced once more by normal features. She sighed heavily and with great relief.

“I’ll wait for you and signal for a Talon Fighter.”

“Thank you.”

Teela departed. He-Man and Man-At-Arms turned to the Sorceress.

“This was difficult for you?” asked the Sorceress.

“Yes. It was.” He sighed. “I . . . sometimes it’s hard to get literally wrapped up in all this history and mythology. It feels . . . I guess it feels like there are wheels in motion that just won’t stop. Wheels upon wheels. And I’m just . . . just stuck in the middle.”

Duncan looked to the Sorceress. He then put his hands on He-Man’s shoulders. “We know. Trust us. We know. But . . . well, that’s life.”

He-Man smiled. “Thanks for the support.”