We Have the Power!
Copyright© 2026 by Carlos Santiago
Chapter 17: Sacrifice
“By the power of Grayskull!”
— Prince Adam / He-Man (voiced by John Erwin), in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (1983), Season 1, Episode 1, “Diamond Ray of Disappearance.” Originally aired in the United States on September 26, 1983. Written by Robby London. Directed by Lou Zukor. Developed for television by Lou Scheimer. Produced by Filmation Associates for Mattel. Distributed in first-run syndication by Group W Productions. Copyright © 1983 Mattel, Inc. All rights reserved.
Fun Fact: This episode marks the first time Prince Adam utters his legendary transformation phrase, “By the power of Grayskull!”.
Gold, violet, and emerald light crashed near the Heart of Grayskull.
Sorceress stood between Skeletor and the Orb of Power. Her staff burned with ancient light and magic as a fear found refuge on her face.
“Your ambition ends here, Keldor,” she said boldly.
“You don’t know the depths of my ambition, witch,” he proclaimed.
The Havok Staff discharged a torrent of emerald fire.
Sorceress met it with a beam of brilliant gold.
Before Skeletor could press his advantage, a spear of violet lightning struck from his left.
“Evil-Lyn!” he exclaimed. “Why stand against me now when I am moments from my prize?”
Lyn raised both hands.
“Because,” she said, not entirely believing. “This is the right thing to do!”
Dozens of violet chains erupted from the floor, twisting around Skeletor’s arms and legs before wrapping themselves about the Havok Staff itself.
Sorceress did not hesitate when she saw her opening. Golden falcons of living light burst free from her staff at her command, diving toward Skeletor like celestial predators.
The Overlord roared.
“I was playing nice!” he exclaimed.
The Ram Stone and Marzo’s amulet gained speed before firing free.
The chamber shook when a colossal ram of emerald energy burst outward, striking both women before either could reinforce their defenses.
The explosion shattered any shield they conjured, knocking them both onto their backs. Both women were hurled across the chamber, but they were alive. Their staffs were a reasonable length away from them.
“No!” Sorceres exclaimed.
Skeletor slowly moved forward. He did not monologue. He did not mock. He saw the Orb of Power in its cradle.
The Ram Stone and the amulet had done their duty, so Skeletor left useless trinkets on the ground.
Skeletor saw the pulsating, glitering, and glowing magic of the Orb of Power. If he had eyes, rather than sockets, they would have reflected the power of the infinite.
“Lyn...” Sorceress gasped, failing to stand up.
There was a desperate plea in her eyes that Lyn knew she was not accustomed to having, and it broke the witch’s heart to see that vulnerability on display.
Lyn tried to move, but found herself unable to find the strength just as much as the guardian. Tears started to form.
For all that she had done, she would not be able to save Adam. Through this weakness, the entire world would be doomed, and for what?
All so Skeletor could be the Master of the Universe.
A violent tremor shook the foundations of Castle Grayskull.
The ancient fortress groaned as emerald light erupted from deep beneath its halls, accompanied by a pulse of blue and crimson energy unlike anything the defenders had ever witnessed.
Everyone stopped fighting because the very ground beneath them was shaky.
“What was that?” Teela whispered.
The answer came a heartbeat later when the ground split open.
The shockwave swept across the battlefield, consuming them all. Heroric and Evil Warriors alike tumbled through the fractured entrance, sliding into the vast crystalline chamber that had a lush green foiliage hidden beneath the castle.
Some found their feet. Some did not.
Regardless of positioning, they saw him.
Far across the cavern, illuminated by the dancing radiance of the Orb of Power, Skeletor strode forward. He was not arrogant or confident because the conclusion had already been decided. This was the culmination of a life’s work done well.
“Ah!” Skeletor said. “An audience. How appropriate that you should see the coronation of the next Master of the Universe!”
The Havok Staff rested in one hand.
He drew the Sword of Power, seeing its purpose only then. He would siphon off the energy of the Orb, and Skeletor would have all that he had been denied. No longer would reality not be his to command.
There was no urgency in his movements.
There was no need to rush when he had won. The greatest magical defenders were spent. The physical guardians were too far. Grayskull and the Council of Elders had played all of their cards, and Skeletor was not out of options.
He over-prepared for this moment, yet that did not make the victory any less delicious. The only detail that might have made it better was if his half-brother, Randor, were here to witness this victory.
The Orb of Power hovered before him.
He was about to reach out, steps away when...
“ ... No.”
The voice was barely more than a whisper.
Skeletor stopped to see a figure limping between him and his prize.