We Have the Power!
Copyright© 2026 by Carlos Santiago
Chapter 1: The Beginning Redux
“I am Adam, Prince of Eternia, defender of the secrets of Castle Grayskull.”
— Prince Adam (voiced by Cam Clarke), in He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Season 1, Episode 1, “The Beginning.” Written by Dean Stefan. Developed by Michael Halperin. Directed by Gary Hartle. Originally released in the United States on September 5, 2002, as part of the 2002 television series produced by Mike Young Productions for Mattel. Copyright © 2002 Mattel, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keldor came to try and slay the Council of Wisdom, but for all of his guile and his forces, nothing could be done, for Captain Randor (the stoic, brave, and strong) stood in his way.
They clashed swords as the Defenders of the Universe and the forces of Keldor clashed.
It all might have been so very heroic if not for the fact that it all came down to Keldor versus Randor.
What others did not know that this was a battle that had happened many times before and would happen many times again.
These two men were bound in more ways than that of hero and villain. They were both the sons of Captain Miro. Miro’s wife gave him his legitimate son in Randor, but Keldor was the offspring of Gar woman (who Miro said enchanted him to love her).
What one son knew, the other did not. As such, the anger and rage that festered within Keldor was almost understandable if not for the fact that he was trying to destroy the fundamental powers of Eternia.
However, because of Randor being emboldened by the virtues of chivalry and service, he fought tooth and nail against Keldor, who was bent on righting the wrongs of their father by besting his half-brother.
One struck with fury backed by a lifetime’s injustice while the other defended the balance and status quo of Eternia.
It was not meant to be for the elder half-brother, so as he dueled Randor, the Captain of Eternia disarmed Keldor on the high stair case as their opposing forces battled in the Hall of Elders.
That was not to be enough.
Keldor had acid given to him by his once-mentor, Hordak, and he pulled the bubbling vial out in an attempt to rid himself of his unworthy, lesser half-brother, but in the end, all was for naught.
A single shield came between Keldor and his vengeance. Randor swiped away the liquid, and threw back the corrosive fluid ... right into the head of Keldor.
“My face!” Keldor cried.
He all but threw himself to the floor in a hopes to end his own suffering, but death was not his to have on that day. Beast Man came to his rescue with one of his flying animals, and they flew the the Dark Hemisphere of Eternia, so that this mighty being could potentially be healed, and he would be, never again to be the man he once was.
On this day, many said peace was founded because two things occurred. Keldor was banished to the Dark Hemisphere, and a Mystic Wall, separating the Light Hemisphere of Eternia from the Dark, was put up.
What most did not know was that on that day, Keldor died, and the birth of his truer self erupted into the world in that of Skeletor.
... Twenty Years Later...
Duncan had occupied many positions in his life: warrior, Captain of the guard, Defender of the Universe, and Man-at-Arms.
As he watched Teela and Prince Adam battle in one of the many courtyards of King Randor, he wondered what position he might have in the years to come. Peace had reigned in Eternia after the defeat of Keldor, but Duncan was ever-vigilant, for the forces of evil could strike at any time.
More than this simple fact, he recalled the Sorceress. She had told him that there would be need of a great champion soon, and after the secret abduction of Princess Adora so many years ago, he knew to whom Sorceress wished to impart the power of Grayskull to.
He had watched Adam grow up, helped train and prepare him for the tasks that were to come, and even thought of him as his own son, given how he knew Teela and Adam looked at one another.
Romance often blossomed from a friendship cultivated since the children were five years old. Queen Marlena often quoted some poet from the world she was from.
“If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch...” then Adam would be a man in her eyes.
The Queen thought highly of her son, but she was aware of his flaws to nap during the day, to do well in training to impress Teela, and to excel in other courses to obtain the praise of a teacher, but never for the simple task of doing well in a subject.
In that area, Duncan knew Adam was not ready for the burden of the power that Sorceress had planned to bestow upon him. Nevertheless, Duncan was not a man to shirk his duties nor abandon his post in a time of crisis.
They stood in a desolate wasteland, forgotten by all.
His witch stood at his back in readiness for the breach. She had once been his lover, but romance, much like many relationships, faltered when two beings had such selfish inclinations. He might have mourned the loss, but Evil-Lyn’s body had offered him a reprieve from his suffering during the last twenty years.
He had his servants get the contraption ready. A special crystal had been required, but after twenty years in the Dark Hemisphere, the skull-face man held his ram-head scepter aloft in excitement.
His unjust imprisonment would be over, and he would rain down fires of vengeance upon those who had wronged him.
Servants pressed the button, and the energy built up in the machine. This power coalesced until finally it released itself to carve a whole in their wall.
A being once-called Keldor let out a cackling laugh.
Skeletor knew his plan to attack Eternia would bear fruit. First, he would have his revenge on Randor, but then, the secrets of Grayskull would be his, and once that was accomplished, he would be the most powerful being in the universe.
Defenders and Masters alike would stand aside for his greatness.
Evil-Lyn had been more than patient.
Twenty years with this buffoon had allowed her to witness his so-called greatness. Skeletor was the former servant to a being called Hordak, who did battle with Grayskull himself, but Keldor was not Hordak in power, might, imagination, or command.
She often rolled his eyes at his schemes.
Nevertheless, she followed him because she knew that he might prove to be decisive. He might yet reach for the power within Castle Grayskull and find the secrets to life itself, but even trust wore thin when in exile. She gripped her magic staff that had a draconic claw grasping an orb, and she wondered if her leader truly knew what he was doing.
She summoned her powers to help bring down the large red wall that divided the Light Hemisphere from the Dark.
“A change is at hand,” she said, summoning great power into her palms. “May this wall turn to dust. Its utter destruction is an absolute must!”
She threw the power at the fracturing structure, but it was Skeletor from behind her who unleashed enough power to bring down the barrier.
A party hosted by the King and Queen of Eternia was not to be missed. People came in droves to see Orko perform his chaotic magic, for a large puppet show, for the rulers to have a dance, and of course to see the heir, Prince Adam, in attention.
The festivities were beautiful in every color of red, blue, and the purple in between. There was dancing, drinking, and merriment to be had around every corning.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.