GREYSKULL TALES: EPISODE 5 “Breaking Point”
By John N. T’lustachowski
1. SLOWLY FADE IN FRON BLACK, AS AN ORANDE SUN RISES.
A HIDEOUS BLACK BATTLE FORTRESS IS SILHOETTED. AS WE SLOWLY PAN IN, WE HEAR ROBER WAGNER’S HAUNTING AND MOURNFUL “PARSIFAL”. SLOWLY FADE IN TITLE CARD:
OVERSEER IV after a few seconds:
SKELETOR’S DOMAIN
THEN, AS THE VIOLINS CRESCENDO, WE SEE, SLOWLY AND DREAMLIKE, AS THE WARBIRD, FOLLOWED BY A FEW OTHER ETERNIAN AIRCRAFT FLY OVERHEAD FROM ABOVE OUR POV. STILL IN SLOW-MOTION, WE SEE THE WARBIRD CARPET BONB THE STRUCTURE, AND THE OTHER PLANES ALSO FIRE ON IT. THE BASE ERRUPTS INTO A BOILING FIREBALL, AS THE CANERA IS ENGULFED IN SLOW MOTION ERRUPTIONS. THE ONLY SOUND WE HEAR, IS THE BACKGROUND MUSIC.
HOLD THE CANERA ON THE FIREBALL A FEW MOMENTS LONGER, AS THE DESTRUCTION SINKS IN, THEN ENTER WITH A REMORSEFUL NARRATION:
QUEEN MARLANA (OS.)
After the battle of Kaitain, all of us knew, that our world would never be the same again. Both sides knew, that the fuse was lit, and conflict was unavaiodable.
CUT TO: AS MARLANA SPEAKS, FROM THE FIREBALL, WE FADE INTO
THE NEXT BATTLE SEQUENCE, STILL SILENT, AS WE FADE IN TITLE CARD.
FANG MOUNTAIN REGION: SOUTH 22K
after a few 2,500 miles from Snake Mountain moments:
WE SEE BATTERED HULKS OF BURNING LAND SHARKS, AND SMOULDERING TAIL OF A FRIGHT FIGHTER. AS WE PAN DOWN, WE SEE DUNCAN ON A COMMAND DRAGON WALKER, AS ROWS OF BEATEN AND WOUNDED TROOPS OF SKELETOR, ARE MARCHED PAST HIM. WE CAN NOT HEAR WHAT DUNCAN IS ASKING THEM OR TELLING HIS MEN, AS THE ENEMY CAPTIVES ARE HERDED AWAY.
2~
QUEEN MARLANA (OS.) Skeletor’s army, having attacked Kaitan, had proved itself far larger, and better—equipt than any of us in Palace Eternia ever thought. Fortunatly, his defeat at Kaitan also bought us enough time to act.
CUT TO: A SMOKEY BATTLEFIELD, AS ARTILLERAYS FLASH BLUE ON
LOW HANDING CLOUDS, AS EXPLOSION FLICKER ALL AI9OUND. WE SEE A LINE OF SKELETOR’S BLACK GUARD ORDERLY RETREATING TO A HEAVILY FORTIFIED WALL OF MOUNTAINS. AS TANKS AND TROOPS MARCH WEARILY BY, WE STILL HEAR THE MUSIC AND MARLANA.
QUEEN MARLANA (OS) The forces of Eternia and her allies, drove the forces of Skeletor away from our boarder, and pushed them back to the Fang Mountain Ranges. Satisfied with crippling Skeletor, and leaving his forces in disarray, my husband, King Randor,’ chose not to persue any further.
CUT TO: another LARGE CONCENTRAION OF SKELETOR’S BOYS BEING
LED AWAY. THE FILM IS GRAINY, AND THE CAMERA JERKS, GIVING THAT “ACTION NEWS” FEEL, AS MARLANA CONTINUES.
QUEEN MARLANA We had hoped to diffuse the situation, rather than escalating it. Besides, we knew full well, entering the heavily defended Fang Mountain Range would place the burden of attack upon us. The problems of ammun- ition, and resupply, would cost us as heavily as it did Skeletor, at Nagato Isle.
CUT TO: A SCENE OF A DARK SKY, AND A DARK, RUN-DOWN VILLAGE,
AS WE SEE FIRES BURNING ALL AROUND, AND SKELETOR’S BANNER IS TORN DOWN. THE PEASANTS, ARMED WITH PITCh- FORKS, AND STOLEN WEAPONS, SOME WEARING HYBRID ARMOUR ROUND UP THE GARRISON TROOPS IN CARTS. THE CHEERS,AS WE PAN UP TO SEE A SQUADRON OF SILHOETTE FRIGHT FIGHTERS, WAY,WAY UP IN THE DARK SKY, DROP CYLENDAR BOMBS. THE SCREEN IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AGAIN. Marlana Concludes:
QUEEN MARLANA I know my husband’s choice was rightly made. No one wanted this war. But then ,we began hearing reports of uprisings against Skeletor. At first, this filled me with hope, that. this long, costly
war could be coming to an end
QUEEN MARLANA (CONTD) Then, we began to hear reports, of what was happen- ing in those isolated pockets of resistance, when the Tyrrant turned his attention to them....
2. CUT TO QUEEN MARLANA, AS SHE CONCLUDES HER JOURFTh~LS,
HOLD THE CAMERA ON HER LOVELY FACE, A MOMENT AS SHE CLOSES HER EYES, AND SIGHS. THEN LOOKING OUT OF HER BEDROOM WINDOW, AS WE SEE A TRANQUIL MOON, SHE OPENS HER BOOK AND ADDS THE FINAL ENTRY OF THE INTRODUCTION:
QUEEN MARLANA I no longer know what to do, or what to think. The wieght of this terrible choice rests with Randor, I only wish I had the stregnth to help him. Our combined forces are just strong enough to protect our own freedom, let alone liberating the Entire Northern Fang Mountain TL-gion from Skeletor. The balance of power is too great a disadvantage for us , I fear...
SLOW FADE
3. SNAKE MOUNTAIN, EXT. -NIGHT.
THE CAMERA SLOWLY TRACKS INTO THE DARK SKY, AND THE OMINOUS SHAPE OF THE MOUNTAIN. FROM THE LEFT CAMERA, A LARGE MANTA CLASS SHIP ARCS TO THE MOUNT- TAIN. A MOMENT LATER, WE SEE TWO SMALLER STINGRAY CLASS FIGHTERS ESCORT HER INTO THE LANDING BAY.
4. SNAKE MOUNTAIN LANDING BAY -INT- NIGHT.
WE SEE ROW AFTER ROW OF SKELETOR’S BLACK GUARD ELITES, AS THE FIGHTER ESCORTS OPEN, AND WE SEE SIX TRIDENT-WIELDING FISHMAN GUARDS EMERGE,AND HEAD TO THE LARGE ,MANTIS CLASS SHIP. AS ONE FISH MAN OPENS THE DOOR, CUT TO ECU OF A CLENCHED FIST. FROM THE SHIP, MERMAN HIMSELF SLOWLY EMERGES, DRESSED IN FULL ROYAL COLORS, WITH A FLOWING GOLDEN CAPE, AND CARRYING A SCEPTER. ARRIVING IN SUCH A MANNER IS NOT A GOOD IDEA. SKELETOR DOESN’T LIKE INDIVIDUALITY.
AS WE PAN BACK, WE SEE TRI-KLOPS SLOWLY APPROACH.
TRI -KLOPS Hail Skeletor!
MERMAN DOES NOT RESPOND. HE GLARES AT TRI-KLOP$ AND HEADS DOWN THE MAIN PASSAGE WAY:. TRI-KLOPS FOLLOWS WORRIDLY.
TRI -KLOPS Merman! Wait! I-
MERMAN Inform your master. Warlord Merman demands to speak to him.
TRI-KLOPS Wha——? I...
SKELETOR DEMANDS? One does not DEMAND of SKeletor! One requests.. .or begs!
MERMAN You had best be in the council chamber when I arrive, Skeletor. I am not in a patient mood!
TRI -KLOPS That’s LORD SKELETOR!
NO RESPONSE FROM !~ ~RMAN AGAIN. AS THEY ENTER THE COUNCIL ROOM, BEASTMAN SNARLS AT MERMflW, WHO HAS INSULTED HIS MASTER.
BEASTMAN RRRROOWWWWLLLL!
MERMAN I came to speak with Skeletor! NOT his Boot-licker!
BEASTMAN RRRROOWWWLLL. . . . KILLLLL!
BEASTMAN LUNGES AT MERMAN, FANGS GLEAMING. C.U. OF MERMAN’S EYES, AS THEY FROWN, AND HE BACKHANDS BEASTMAN INTO THE WALL. TRI-KLOPS STANDS READY.
MERMAN OUT OF MY WAY, LOUT!
‘Coming, Tri-Klops?
5. TRI-KLOPS IS UNCERTAIN, AS MERMAN OPENS THE
DOOR AND ENTERS THE COUNCIL ROOM. SKELETOR AND HIS COMMANDERS ALL SIT AT THE:.R PLACES. AT THE SIGHT OF MERMAN, TRAP-JAW LEAPS UP AND LEVELS HIS LASER ARM AT HIS HEART. SKELETOR RAISES HIS HAND TO RESTRAIN HIM.
SKELETOR
Hold!
TRAP-JAW M’ lord?
SKELETOR I am curious as to what it is, he has to say. After all, it is not every day, we see an EEL grow a backbone...
MERMAN I have come to review our situation. You have had to pull in two divisions from Icor’s northern boarder. Randor has pushed the South front all the way North to the Fang Mountain Ridge, and now we waste time and troops quelling rebellions within Snake Mountain proper!
TRAP-JAW We are well aware of the current crisis, Merman..
MERMAN I know YOU are aware, Commander. You were there with me, trying to prevent this ,Trap-Jaw. I am here to see if ANY of this is getting through to HIM!
SKELETOR You have a sharp tounge, for a dead man...
MERMAN Don’t threaten ME, Skeletor! Because of you, we are now six monthes behind. -At least! You wasted countless millions of credits, and a still unkown number of troops. Yet had you listened to us at Kaitain, you would now be sitting upon Randor’s throne!
SKELETOR How dare you....
TRAP-JAW Warlord Merman-!
MERMAN Listen! It may not be too late! ALthough Randor has now allied itself with Kaitain, and pd an army at our doorstep— SKELETOR I’LL HANG YOUR HEAD IN MY TROPHY ROOM!
BLAM! SKELETOR CUTS LOOSE AND THROWS A BLUE BLAST SPELL AT MERMAN AS HE EXPLAINS. THE BEAM ARCS ACROSS THE ROOM, AND MERMAN HOLDS UP HIS MAGIC SCEPTER. THE BEAM IS SENT BACK AT SKELETOR, AND BLOWS APART A STATUE BEHIND HIM!
MERMAN So be it, Skeletor! I did not come here to strike blows, but to offer you a chance...
SKELETOR You fool, I’ll—
MERMAN Yes, Skeletor. I am a fool. For how many years now, have I sank the wealth of my sea kingdom into your imbecillity! How long has it been, since you asked me to help yo~z ‘conquer all Eternia”? How many well-crafted plans ago was it? Skeletor?
TRAP-JAW You were well-treated, Merman— Your alliance is important.
SKeletor You doubt me, Warlord? When I am King of Etern-
MERMAN When you are KING? Look around you ,Skeletor. How many years have passed? -And what have you gained for us? The terms of our alliance, was, that when Eternos fell to you, I would have control of the Sea and the coastal regions.: Noll I have all this WITHOUT you! I have earned more wealth in a legitamite trade agreement with the Coastal Region of Nordica, that I could ever have,as your subordinate. . . .My King!
Evil -Lynn Skeletor! Kill this.. .this. .traitor!
MERMAN A traitor am I, Witch? If I am a traitor, thar1 THIS is what I am turning against: Your boarders are weakening, collapsing around your ears. -And if you don’t do something about it right now, than what pathetic little you did gain these many years will also be lost!
TRI-KLOPS Snake mountain will NEVER fall!
MERMAN You really DON’t know what’s going on, do you? This fortress is far from impregnable. With less than two divisions defending the entire central Fang Mountain Region, the Eternians could-
TRAP-JAW The Eternians have dug—in a defensive outside the Fang Mountain Southern Boarder, they will not attack- MERMAN Times have changed, Trap—Jaw: And I wouldn’t get all caught up in the security of all of Snake Mountain’s electronic death- Traps. If He—Man wanted to, he could have wiped out this entire council years ago. But we all know, he wouldn’t kill.
SKELETOR Than what is your point? So we knuckle down, crush the rebellion, and reammass our forces for the next- MERMAN There isn’t going to be a next assult! When we fought the Eternians at Kaitain, I was quite comfortable wit’ our forces battle against He-Man... But that new threat— that Sorcerer, he seemed equally comfortable with the thought of killing.
SKELETOR You fear ONE MAN?
MERMAN It’s not the man. It’s what he represents! He is an uncontrolled variable. And if his views become accepted...
SKELETOR Get out of my sight....
MERMAN Listen to me, Skeletor! The man waded through us! -And what do we really know about him...?
SKELETOR Leave Snake Mountain now. . .and never return...
TRAP-JAW Wait! M’lord! We NEED HIM!
SKELETOR I need no cowards in my ranks! If you do not leave Snake Mountain. . .than you shall
DIE HERE!
MERMAN
So be it!
MERMAN STORMS OUT OF THE CHAMBER , HIS CAPE SWIRLS BEHIND HIM, AS HE SLAMS THE DOOR. HE STRIDES PAST BEASTMAN, STILL HOLDING HIS JAW.
AS SKELETOR GLOATS, RANTS AND RAVES, TRAP-JAW LEAPS FROM HIS TABLE, AND HEADS AFTER MERMAN. CLAMER HEADS DON’T ALWAYS PREVAIL.
SKELETOR I want his name STRICKEN from every corner of Snake Mountain! I want his seat at my table destroyed! I want every aspect of-— Eh? Trap-Jaw! Let him go! Come BACK HERE!’
6. TRAP-JAW CTACHES UP WITH MERMAN IN THE HALL WAY.
IT IS HIS LAST ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE SHATTERED ALLIANCE TOGETHER.
TRAP-JAW Warlord! Wait!
MERMAN We have fought along sides one another for many years, Trap-Jaw. You may call me Merman.
TRAP-JAW Merman.. .Right. I did it automatically. Skeletor demands respect with his formal titles...
MERMAN (not breaking strides) Than perhaps it is time for Skeletor to learn that respect must be earned, not demanded.
TRAP-JAW Don’t goi- Look,we need you. Let me talk to him.
MERMAN Do you think he will listen?
You know I’m right. That’s why you’re following me.
Why don’t you come with me? You’re a good Commander. Probably the most level-headed commander he’s got.
TRAP-JAW (stops and shakes his head) No. I can not. I have sworn allegiance to Skeletor. To break that...
MERMAN A warrior with honor, in Skeletor’s ranks?
I respect your decision, my friend, though I do not agree with it. Take care of yourself, Commander.
After all.. .He won’t.
TRAP-JAW
Probably the worst part of it is.. .you are right. Unless he listens to someone, we are going to be beaten. You’ve heard about his bombing a village that revolted?
MERMAn What he bombed was a symptom. The problem is still there. And every bomb he drops is only going to make the hatred grow.
TRAP-JAW We’ve had six uprising today.. .and it’s worse at night.
MERMAN Well, all I can tell you is this: You are an excellent military man. And if your beloved KING is going to listen to anyone, than it should be you.
TRAP-JAW Ha! Thanks! Why me?
MERMAN Who else? Tri—Klops? A buffoon, that Skeletor finally threw a crumb to? He thinks he’s some major military leader since he got two whole battalions to com- mand!
-Or his mangy, groveling side—show freak, Beastman?
Unless he tries to think of something, he’s going to lose. -And there’s no one to tell him but you.
TRAP-JAW I’ll—.. .I’ll see what I can do. Farewell, Merman.
MERMAN Farewell, Trap—Jaw. And if he doesn’t listen, my offer still stands. I could use a good man like you.
MERMAN ENTERS HIS MANTIS SHIP AND HEADS OFF. WE HALF EXPE~T TO SEE SNAKE MOUNTAIN OPEN FIRE ON HIS SHIP AS HE LEAVES, BUT THE SCREEN REMAINS CALM AND SILENT.
7. CUT TO:
PALACE ETERNIA-EXTERIOR-DAY
IN THE SKIES OVERHEAD, WE SEE THE WARBIRD’S MAMMOTH SILHOETTE, AS IT FLIES ESCORT TO A FORMATION OF RETURNING ETERNIAN WIND RAIDER BOMBERS. HE-MAN’S TALON FIGHTER, NOTICEABLY SMALLER LEADS IN A SIMILAR SQUADRON.
AS THE WARBIRD SPIRALS A VICTORY ROLL, HIS BOMBERS BREAK OFF AND HEAD FOR HOME. HE-MAN LANDS HIS TALON FIGHTER WITH HIS MEN. TRACK BACK, AS THE WARBIRD DISAPPEARS INTO THE ORANGE SUN ON THE HORIZON.
8. PALACE ETERNIA-LANDING BAY-INT. DAY
PAN THE CAMERA ON ONE PARTICULAR WIND RAIDER,AS BOTH DUNCAN AND TEELA DISEMBARK. WE CAN SEE ON THEIR FACES, IT’S BEEN A GOOD DAY.
TEELA I can’t believe it! We drove them clear across the Tar Swamps! I’ll bet they won’t stop running untill they’re back in Snake Mountain!
DUNCAN I have to admit, it did do my heart good to see them headed back to where they belong. The way we’ve been pummeling them the last few weeks, they can’t have too much of an offensive army left.
TEELA When do you think King Randor will order us to attack Snake Mountain head-on?
HE-MAN Hopefully, never...
DUNCAN Ah, He-Man. Good to see you, Son.
TEELA Hello, He-Man. We have to give the King our status report. Care to join us? ‘Shouldn’t take long. These kind of repo~-cs I like: All good news!
HE-MAN Yes, Teela. I must speak to King Randor myself. to warn him and his forces about premature Euforia. It can be a more dangerous opponent
t~’ Skeletor himself...
I-.-
9. THRONE ROOM-PALACE ETERNIA -LATE DAY.
PAN IN WITH LONG-LENS SHOT OF THE ENTIRE ROOM. RANDOR AND MARLANA ARE ON THEIR THRONES, AS HE-MAN, TEELA, AND DUNCAN PASS THE ROW OF GUARDS.
QUEEN MARLANA There they are. Back safely— I told you not to worry.
KING RANDOR Nevertheless, I will not permit another strike so Deep into Skeletor’s domain again, it’s too..
Ah, Man-at-Arms. Welcome back. All of you. Do you have the update? How did it work?
DUNCAN Far better than anticipated, Your Majesty! By utilizing long-range ordinance, and by jamming the enemy, we were able to strike ground targets virtually unopposed.
KING RANDOR I see... .Go on-
DUNCAN We ruled the sky! As for numbers, we destroyed fifty-six enemy Fright-Fighters on the ground, and another eleven in the air. Also an entire collumn, some thirty-six Land Shark battle tanks were also confirmed killed.
QUEEN MARLANA And what were. • .our losses?
TEELA None.
KING RANDOR None...? That’s.. .that’s incredible, Duncan! Apparantly the Sorcerer’s old Eartt 2arsian Gulf tactics are more effective than I realized! Very comendable...
QUEEN MARLANA Comendable...? That’s unbelievable!! We sent out 8 squadrons.. .96 planes, destroyed all of.’ our objectives, drove Skeletor’s forces further back across their own boarder, and lost no one???
TEELA I’m still having a hard time believing it myself, Queen Marlana, and I was there! It was incredible!
DUNCAN They never knew what hit them, Sire! -And by the time they figured it out, it was over!
DUNCAN
We have documented footage of the actual strikes. I will prepare a full review. Perhaps it will better explain how the Sorcerer’s Strategy works.
QUEEN MARLANA He said it was standard Navy A—6 intruder tactics. John David Tyler was a Commander in the United States Navy during the war in the Gulf. His low- level concentrated attack with electronic counter- measures are amazing... But I...
KING RANDOR .Yes, Marlana. Yes. Tell them what you were discussing with me ,just before they arrived... I think you’ll find this very interesting.
QUEEN MARLANA Well. ..I . .1’ haven’t exactly discussed it with John .er the Sorcerer yet. It may not be important at all...
HE-MAN Moth- Er- Queen Marlana?
QUEEN MARLANA It’s strange.. .a hole.. .if you will, in what he said. I trust him, and I believe him, but.. .Oh, maybe I should be telling THEM this! The Sorceress may be able to explain it-
KING RANDOR They are our friends. Tell them.
TEELA Yes, your Majesty. What about John?
QUEEN MARLANA Alright, as you all know, I arrived on planet Eternia twenty—three years ago. Part of the Valient Space Shuttle series. My ship, the Rainbow Warrior, an environmental exploration ship was sent out by the United Nations Government in F”.RTH-YEAR 2086. All these files still exist in my computer’s memory.
DUNCAN
Yes? —So. . ..?
QUEEN MARLANA John David Tyler, Commander ,from the United States Navy, who fought in the Persian Gulf War in 1991, died ,on June 20th, 1998. It’s in my computer banks. He died thrity seven years, before I was born!
DUNCAN -Are you saying.. .we don’t know WHO is in Castle Grey-
QUEEN MARLANA Oh, No ! NO! Nothing like THAT! Commander Tyler’s Story is true. He disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle in his experimental Warbird class fighter. All that is true! -That’s not what’s bothering me -
TEELA What is it then?
HE-MAN .The math is wrong.
QUEEN MARLANA Exactly.
ORKO WHAT EXACTLY???
QUEEN MARLANA Tyler disappeared into the Bermuda Triangle 88 years BEFORE my shuttle left the Earth. Yet I arrived here over twenty years before him... Doesn’t that strike you as odd? Where was he, for almost a century?
ORKO Well, time rifts are a tricky thing! On Trolla right now, I’m over 2,000 years old!
DUNCAN Really? You don’t look a day over a thousand!
HE -MAN Well, on the first day we met, the Sorceress said he flew into a StarPortal. Obviously the flux from this ‘Bermuda Triangle’ thing threw him into some kind of time-warp...
QUEEN MARLANA Correct. And on the day I arrived, I was caught in a Cosmic Storm. I was only a million miles from the. Earth when my instruments went haywire. When I crashed, I was on Eternia.
DUNCAN And now you believe you may have hit a similar Time-Warp, your Majesty? But you have no magic-
HE-MAN Or perhaps the DISTANCE from the planet had some- thing to do with it. Had you been ON the Earth at the time of the warp, you could have been granted powers...
QUEEN MARLANA We’re getting away from the point: What I’m saying is, John Tyler’s great new tactic, are ancient history to me. The Persian Gulf war and the men who fought in it, and the tactics they used are foot- notes.
KING RANDOR But then, how could Tyler’s Warbird be so advanced? Compared to the ship you have, the Sorcerer’s plane would be laughably obsolete!
QUEEN MARLANA Well, after the Persian Gulf war, the Russians, America’s Mortal enemy,collapsed. The Warbird was designed in the Paranoid years of uncertain peace that followed. After Tyler’s ‘death’, the plane never went into production.
In the interim years of the 21 century, the Nations of the Worl4 join forces and united as never before. We began to try to solve Earth’s problems of poverty and environmentalism together.
The Earth I left, was trembling again on the brink of War. The environmental damage was so severe, that America, the country that long fed the world, fell into drought, and could barely feed itself. My mission was to try an experimental crop in space. An attempt to grow food away from Earth.
It failed. .and I crashed here. . .When I met Tyler last mnnth, I had hoped for news, that Earth somehow sur- vived. Now I find out, that he is lost longer than I!
HE-MAN Does the Sorcerer know about this?
KING RANDOR No. Not yet, anyway.
TEELA Well, why not?
KING RANDOR Guards! Leave us! What we are about to tell you, must remain absolutly secret-
QUEEN MARLANA Let me punch up my ship’s log computer. The beacons are still intact. Look at the numbers:
THE COMPUTER PUCNHES UP A SERIES OF SPACE CO~ ORDINATES. MOST MEAN NOTHING TO US. THEN WE SEE THE SOLAR PROXIMITY:
93,000,000 From Sun.
DUNCAN Both planets... KING RANDOR No, not ‘both planets’... QUEEN MARLANA Now watch this. A map of my Ol~ Earth. I came from Florida, down Here- Tyler came from New York, in this area.
Now, look at this map- Modern Eternia.
WE DRAW A WHITE COMPUTER OUTLINE MAP OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. SHOWING NORTH AMERICA AND SOUTH AMERICA.
THEN WE OVERLAY THE ETERNIAN MAP. THERE IS A FRIGHTENING SIMILARITY, AS ETERNIAN LAND MASSES SEEM TO INTER-.LINKED.
DUNCAN You mean...
He-Man How is this possible?
QUEEN MARLANA I don’t know.
TEELA But you don’t want to tell John about this...?
QUEEN MARLANA
No. Please. Not untill I’m certain.
SUDDENLY, A WARNING KLAXON SOUNDS. THE MAP RECOLORS RED. A COMPUTER VOICE WARNS:
ALERT! ALERT! PICKING UP LARGE MILITARY ACTIVITY NORTH EAST OF ETERNOS. QUADRANT L-9(x)
DUNCAN Why, that’s Nordica!
COMPUTER AFFIRMATIVE: ACTIVITY LIMITED TO COASTAL REGIONS. ATTACKS COMENCING FROM LAND ,SEA, AND AIR. ALERT!
TEELA Sea? Why would Merman Attack Nordica?
KING RANDOR Skeletor must be trying to open a second front. I can not afford to have any of that fiend’s army on an adjacent boarder. Dunca~i, prepare your legion.
QUEEN MARLANA Wa it! Teela’s right: Why would Merman attack Nordica? Skeletor could be setting up a diversion!
HE-MAN I don’t think so. Merman stands to lose too much.
TEELA Well, we’d better think of something! Before they level the entire city!
KING RANDOR Man—at—Arms, take the Davon armoured collumn into Nordica. If you move inland from the west, this way, you may be able to cut of f Skeletor’s army with their backs to the ocean. You’ll also be out of range of the coastal invasion force.
Teela, I want you to hold here in Davon, in case it is a fiegn.
He-Man Without knowing the size of the enemy forces, I have to disagree. Duncan could simply be cut of f and surrounded, should Skeletor pull another core out of the Fang Mountains...
QUEEN MARLANA What do you suggest?
HE-MAN Duncan and I will investigate the attack with a small force of Atak—Traks. What Teela said still bothers me, It would not be to Merman’s advantage to attack Nordica.
KING RANDOR Nevertheless, He-Man, you can see, he has three of his heaviest Nautalus Class warships bombarding the city, and several of his smaller support vessels.
DUNCAN Very well then, Sire. My battlegroup will be in Nordica within the hour. He-Man, why don’t you accompany me?
HE-MAN Of course, Man-At-Arms.
TEELA Wait for me-
PAN THE CAMERA BACK TO THE MAP, AND DISSOLVE INTO A BLUR FROM THE REGION OF NORDICA. SLOW FADE.
10. COASTLINE / EXT. DAY.
OVER THE SPIRE OF THE TALLEST TOWERS ,WE SEE SMOKE WELLING UP OVER THE CITY. OUT ON THE GREY SEA, WE SEE FOUR MAMMOTH NAUTALUS SHAPED WARSHIPS FIRING AT THE CITY. AN OCCASSIONALY WHITE PLUME OF AN UNDERWATER EXPLOSION RISES NEXT TO A SHIP OR TWO.
FADE IN TITLE CARD SLOWLY:
NORDICA CITY. July 3rd, 2648. 10 AM
11. CUT TO THE STREETS OF NORDICA, AS A TALL TOWER IS
HIT AND EXPLODES. PANIC IS IN THE AIR, AS THE CITY IS BEING SHELLED.
PAN THE CAMERA 20 TT!E OPPOSITE FRONT, AS WE SEE A COLLUMN OF SKELETOR’S LAND SHARKS CONVERGE ON THE CITY. A FEW OF HIS LARGER GUNS SHOOT OUT TO SEA.
12. PAN OVER TO SKELETOR, IN HIS COMMAND SHIP, THE
COLLECTOR, WELL OVER THE BATTLE, AS A SMALL SQUADRON OF FRIGHT FIGHTERS TAKE ON THE SHIPS.
SKELETOR TRI-KLOPS!, Bring in your squadron ‘gainst the Large Command ship in the Cen’:.:, That is Merman’s personal vessel, the Nautalus!
TRI-KLOPS (over his screen) Affirmative, Lord Skeletor! All torpedo bombers form on my wing. Make the pasc from her starboard bow. Let’s make ‘em count!
13. We see the formation of black dots fly in slowly,
as Merman’s deck guns pour volleys of flak into the air. We see fish man gunners as the point and fire at the approaching planes.
Three of Tri—Klop’s men are hit hard, and explode. One catches fire out the window, and we see him crashing. We hold the camera on Tr4-Klops, as he snarls bringing his plane in expertly. His visor slowly spins one direction, than the other, as if scanning a way through the barrage.
Then as his crosshairs light up, we see him jam back his stick. He then pulls up his plane, having laun- ched the torpedo.
TRI -KLOpS Steady men.... Almost there. . . .Close up formation... ...Steady...One thousand meters...NOW!! -It’s Away!!
14. We SEE TWO LARGE WHITE PLUMES OF WATER WELL UP WHERE
THE TORPEDOES CONNECTED! THE SHIP SHUDDERS, BUT RE- MAINS ON COURSE.
WE CUT TO THE INT. OF THE COMMAND BRIDGE, AS WE SEE MERMAN, IN HIS REGAL UNIFORM, WITH SEVERAL FISHMAN ADVISORS. MERMAN GLANCES AT THE CITY THROUGH BINOC- ULARS, AS THE EXPLOSIONS TAKE THEIR TOLL. SHAKE THE SCREEN.
FISHMAN *1 Warlord, enemy torpedo squadron, make 6-6-4!
FISHMAN *2 M’lord! We’ve taken two amidship! Fitres breaking out on E—deck. Multiple casualties. We’re taking on water!
FISHMAN *1’ Your orders, M’lord?
MERMAN Continue present coarse. Make for the city.
AS THEY CONTINUE INLAND, WE SEE OUTSIDE THE WINDOW THE FIRE INCREASING. WE SEE A SMALLER NAUTALUS CLASS SHIP GO UP IN FLAMES! AS THE BRIt~ CREW BEGIN TO NEAR PANIC, WE SEE MERMAN CALMLY LOOKING AHEAD AT THE WOUNDED CITY. r FISHMAN *3 Sir! We’ve lost the Marianna!!
FISHMAN *1 Three more ships reporting heavy damage ,Sir!
FISHMAN *2 Sir! We must withdraw!
MERMAN WATCHES COOLY ,AS AN EXPLOSION TEARS UP FOUR ENEMY TANKS ON THE HILL BEYOND THE CITY. MORE EX- PLOSIONA WELL UP AROUND THE NAUTALUS.
MerMAN Afraid, gentlemen? Well so is Skeletor! And I say it is now time for us to be rid of the Tyrrant once and for all! Come on!
FISHMAN *2 But at what cost? It’s madness, Sire..
MERMAN Once we have liberated Nordica, our sea kingdom Will formally declare our independance from Skeletor~ Freedom will be worth the price!
MERMAN (almost to himself) Ninjor taught me that....
CUT BACK TO THE FACES OF THE FISHMEN, AS THEY CON- SIDER MERMANS WORDS, THEY STARE STONE FACED AT THE SINKING, BURNING HULK OF THE MIRIANNA, AS THE WATER AROUND HER BURNS. THEN THE FIRST FISHMAN SMILES, AND CRIES OUT:
FISHMAN FREEDOM!! ! !!! LONG LIVE LORD MERMAN!!!
THERE IS A CHORUS OF CHEERS FROM THE REMAINING BRIDGE CREW, AS EVERY SHIP IN THE CONVOY RESPONDS!
15. NOW WE CUT BACK TO SKELETOR’s LINES. THEIR MORALE
ISN’T QUITE AS HIGH. TRAP-JAW DOESN’T WANT TO BE FIGHTING MERMAN IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLUS THE FACT IS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE DECIMATING THE FLEET, AND TAERING NORDICA APART, THE FISHMEN ARE STILL ADVANCING.
ALSO, MORE EXPLOSIONS WELL UP AROUND THE LAND SHARKS, AS A COUPLE ERRUPT INTO FLAME.
TRAP-JAW Seven ships heavily damaged. Four sunk. . .And still they come onwards...
BLACK GUARD COMMANDER Trap-Jaw! We’ve lost Nine tanks!. Battalions six ,seven, and four suffering heavy losses. Suggest we enter the city, Sir!
TRAP -JAW Very well. That will keep Merman’s heavy guns from shelling us... But we’ll have to fight them street—to—street.
BLACK GUARDSMAN Sir.
LAND SHARK COMMANDERS: MAKE FOR THE CITY!!!!
16. CUT TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN, AS THE TANKS ENTER
THE SMOULDERING CITY. ECU OF SMALL BUILDINGS BEING RUN DOWN, THE OFF- SHORE BARRAGE ENDS.
FROM OVERHEAD, WE SEE SKELETOR THr’rTcH HIS CAMERAS, AS HE IS STRAFING THE BOAT DOCKS. HEA NOT HAPPY:
SKELETOR TRAP-JAW! What are you doing? We can’t bomb the
city with you in there!
Remove your tanks at once!
TRAP-JAW Unable to comply, M’lord. I will attempt to hold the city ,as the fishmen enter. The fleet withstood our barrage. They will be landing any time now...
SKELETOR Rrraaggghhh. . . .You may be right... Very well. But do not advance. Let them come to you. Once they are deep enough in, I want you to fall back with the armour, and we’ll have them trapped!!
TRAP-JAW (reluctantly) Yes, M’lord.
SLOWLY FADE OUT, AS WE SEE THE FIRST MANTA SHARED BARGES NEAR THE SHORE. THE LARGER WARSHIPS, MOSTLY OBSCURED BY SMOKE, WAIT IN THE BACKGROUND.
17. IN THE BLUE SKIES FROM THE SOUTH, WE SEE A SERIES OF DOTS IN FIVE V-SHAPED FORMATIONS. THE ETERNIANS ALL COMMUNICATE BY SMALL VISUAL UNITS ON THEIR CONTROL PANELS.
DUNCAN By the ancients...
TEELA They’re tearing the city apart!
DUNCAN They’re hitting Nordica from both sides. I have a land-Shark collumn holed up in the western outskirts— Looks like a dozen of Merman’s best ships of the line on the East Coast— he’s sending in invasion forces— TEELA Looks like aircraft in sector three-
He-Man (in talon fighter) Right, engage the air core first!
Teela All wind Raiders: Assume attack formation.
HOLD THE CAMERA ON THEIR WIND RAIDER, AS IT PEELS OFF AND OPENS UP ON THE BOMB-LAIDEN FRIGHT FIGHTERS. THOSE CAUGHT FULL ERRUPT! THOSE JUST TAGGED, CRASH, AND THEN ERRUPT! THEY ARE SIMPLY TOO SLOW TO ATTACK ETERNIAN FIGHTERS!
18. ECU. OF HE-MAN, AS HE TAILS ONE, THROUGH THE FLAK, “ AND SHOOTS APART ITS WING. THE PILOT BAILS OUT, AS THE SHIP BEGANS TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL. THEN CU HE-MAN’S POV_ AS WE SEE THE TORPEDO IT WAS CARRYING. Suddenly understanding what could be happening, he looks at the Command ship. We see large holes in the side of Merman’s boat!
19. HAVING FINISHED THE FIGHTERS AND BOMBERS, TEELA & DUNCAN LAND WITH THE ETERNIAN GUARDS. AS THE REACH THE BATTERY AREA, WE SEE DOZENS OF SHELL-SHOCKED CITI ZENS OF NORDICA, AS MERMANS MARINES ENTER THE TOWN.
MERMAN HIMSELF IS AMOUNGST THEM, IN FULL DRESS. AS HE AND HIS ELITE GUARD MARCH THROUGH THE STREET THEY SEE THE ETERNIAN.
TEELA People of Nordica. Please remain calm. I am captain Teela of the Eternia Royal Guard.. .We- AS TEELA SPEAKS, A YOUNG MOTHER, HOL”’”~ HER BABY SEES MERMAN APPROACHING, RUNS TO HIM, AND FALLS TO HER !CNEES.
WOMAN MY LORD!! We knew you’d come back to us! We never gave up hope... MERMAN Help her up, Kayman-
Shhh— It will be alright, my dear...
TEELA What—-? I don’t understand.. They actually sound happy to see him!
DUNCAN I’m not sure...
MERMAN CITIZENS OF NORDICA, HEAR ME! For years, we have lived in the Dark Shadow of the Tyrrant! For years we have toiled and served the Lord of Snake Mountain. But through our hearts and through our sacrifices, I hereby declare, from this day fowards, that city, the province, and the Seas of Nordica, FOREVER FREE!!!
AND YES, THE CROWD GOES WILD, CHEERING AND CHARGING FORTH WITH HOPE AND SPIRIT. SKELETOR’S FORCES ARE BEING BEATEN BACK, AS WE CUT TO CITIZENS, ARMED WITH SMALL HAND GUNS AND RIFELS ATTACKING WELL ARMED BLACK GUARDS. DESPITE HORRIBLE LOSES, THE NORDICANS , WITH MERMAN’S BANNER WIN THEIR INDEPENDANCE!
20. CUT TO SKELETOR IN HIS COLLECTOR, AS WHOLE SQUADRONS
OF TORPEDO BOMBERS DISAPPEAR FROM HIS SCOPES. THEN AS HE TRACKS HIS CAMERA DOWN TO THE CITY BELOW, HE SEES HE-MAN, TEELA, AND DUNCAN IN THE MIDST OF MERMAN’S CROWD.
SKELETOR WHY ARE THE ETERNIANS HELPING HIM???
21. INSTANTLY CUT BACK TO MERMAN, AS HE SEES THE
WIND RAIDERS HITTING TRAP-JAW’S TANK COLLUMNS. HE TRIES NOT TO SMILE TOO MUCH, KNOWING THAT THEY JUST SPARED HIS PEOPLE HIDEOUS CASUALTIES.
MERMAN Why are the Eternian’s helping me?
HE SMILES AGAIN, ALREADY KNOWING THE ANSWER. THEN HE TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO THE MISSION AT HAND.
MERMAN THEY’RE FALLING BACK, OUT OF THE CITY! ALL WARSHIPS PEEPARE A FINAL BARRAGE, UPON MY SIGNAL!!! HA HAA!!!
22. INT-DAY- TRAP-JAW’S COMMAND TANK-
TRAP-JAW Commander, inform the other Land-Sharks to begin the withdrawal. We’ll have to hold, untill all of our infantry is away...
COMMANDER Sir- All remaining Land-Sharks, Code 4-4—9.
TRAP-JAW Well done. . . .Warlord Merman...
SKELETOR TRAP-JAW! Prepare to signal the withdrawal ! Code 4-4-9!
TRAP-JAW you heard him, Commander...
SKELETOR Then.. .once you’ve cleared Nordica, I want you to destory the city! —Use your incindiaries...
BURN NORDICA TO THE GROUND! EVERY BUILDING! EVERY HOME! CHURCH AND SCHOOLYARD! LEAVE NO TWO STONES ATOP ANOTHER! UNDERSTOOD? SKELETOR OUT1
COMMANDER Shall I signal the others, Commander?
TRAP-JAW Prepare to fall back.
~OMMANDER That is in direct violation of Skeletor’s direct orders!
TRAP - JAW I will accept full responsibility-
COMMANDER But why?
TRAP-JAW It is over. They have won. There is no point to destroying Nordica.. .apart from petty spite and revenge. Let them enjoy their independance. . .they have earned it...
SKELETOR
Is Nordica Burning? Skeletor to Trap—Jaw. . .Is Nor-
TRAP-JAW Our infantry is prepared. All armoured units, fall back.
COMMANDER Sir!
23. EXT-DAY- MERMAN IN THE CENTER SQUARE WITH HIS
COMMANDERS AND HIS PEOPLE. THE MAYOR SPEAKS TO HIM:
MAYOR Civilian casualties were numerous, the emergency ward is full, and more cases arrive every hour...
MERMAN Aquatica will be sending in more relief supplies, Mayor. Vollunteers should also be arriving before dusk. It will take a few weeks for us to rebuild but we’ll manage...
FISHMAN Sir, priority message from the Nautalus. Skeletor’s Armoured collumn is retreating. They are in perfect firing position.. .We await your command to commence ~ i ring.
MERMAN SEES TRAP-JAW’S TANK THROUGH HIS BONOCULARS HE SMILES TO HIMSELF, SEEING THE TANK’S CANNON FACING AWAY FROM THE CITY. HE TAKES IT AS A SIGNAL, THAT TRAP-JAW HAS BROKEN SKELETOR’S PRIMARY ORDER.
MERMAN That will not be neccessary , Commander. I think we’ve all had enough fighting.. .Don’t you ?
F I SHMAN Sir. All ships, stand down.
CHEERS AGAIN WELL UP FROM ALL AROUND, AS NORDICA ,DESPITE HER BATTERING, HAS !~‘~T fl’S FREEDOM. FIREWORKS POP IN THE NIGHT SKY, AS PEOPLE CHEER AND DANCE IN THE STREETS, LATER THAT DAY.
HE-MAN, DUNCAN, AND TEELA ARE BROUGHT BEFORE HIM.
F I SHMAN Sir, we found this lot over by the Tank collumn. What should we do with them?
MERMAN I saw them earlier. Duncan’s airforce saved many lives ‘gainst Skeletor’s tanks. And HEMAN. . . .Yes, i saw him overturn a Land-Shark. The lovly Captain Teela. . . shot down no less that three Fright-Fighter Torpedo bombers....
FISHMAN Sir?
TEELA Meaning what, Toad face?
HE-MAN Easy, Teela... THE FISHMAN LEVELS HIS TRIDENT AT HER, AS MERMAN KEEPS HIS EYES STEADY. . .AND PIERCING AT HER. . .THEN SLOWLY, ALMOST GRUESOME AT FIRST, BEGINS TO LAUGH!
MERMAN reeerrrr.Err Errr er her...AhAH HAAA HAAHAHAHAHHAHAH!!! Meaning that you are my guests, of course!
DUNCAN We’re free to leave?
MERMAN If you so choose. For we have overthrown the Tyrrant! WE ARE FREE!!!!
MAYOR Stay, if you wish- For Lord Merman has provided us with this grand celebration! I have never seen the Nordican so exultant! We are finally free!
FISHMAN *2 All battleships preparing to head out to sea. The coastal patrol ships have arrived!
MERMAN Excellent! My fleet will be pulling back to Aquatica now, Mayor. I will leave small ships to watch over you. But if you ever need me.. .then call.
MAYOR Thank you, Lord Merman. Thank you, for everything.
He-Man
Merman, there’s something I have to ask you...
MERMAN
- Why...?
When I first allied myself to Snake Mountain years ago, I felt it was the. . .profitable thing to do. King Miro was gone, and Randor. . .who I considered a you~ fool ascended to the throne.
Lord Skeletor promised great riches of the surface kingdom if I aided him in his cuase. At first, I merely sponsered his plan, later I became more and more involved.
DUNCAN Yes.. .You became a great threat to us...
TEELA But what made you fight him?
MERMAN In the years I was with Skeletor, vast sums of money was wasted on his attempts to take Eternia- MY Money! Money I atired through legitamite trade agreements between Nordica, and Aquatica. I invested heavily into this country. Into. . . these people...
HE-MAN From the way you fought, Merman.. . .1 think there was much more to it than that- MERMAN Quite correct, He-Man... I am not a loving man... But this land became the only thing I ever loved. To see it attacked. . .to see it destroyed by Skele- tor...
DUNCAN .So what happens next? With Skeletor, I mean...?
MERMAN His offensive army has been rendered useless. This was his last attempt to quell rebellion in his ranks. he has failed. Nordica is out of his reach. He has his own problems now.
TEELA’ What about you?
MERMAN I no longer have any intrest in Eternia, or Snake Mountain. And now, I must go. Fare thee well, Mayor.
HE-MAN Merman, Wait! I know we haven’t exactly seen eye to eye over the years. . .But on behalf of King Randor eternos, I would like to offer your Kingdom of Nordica a part o~ the Eternian Coalition... We would help you to rebuild her from this disaster, and prevent future ones... What do you say?
MERMNN Your assistance was greatly appreciated. Had you not intervened.. .who could say.. .perhaps Nordica would have lost. .Certainly our losses would have been greater... But the answer is no.
DUNCAN Why is that? We could help one another. And as King it is your-
MERMAN I AM NOT KING! Have you heard nothing? Nordica is FREE!! Never again will there be a King upon a throne! Not Skeletor, Not Randor, Not ME! TEELA
I.. I think he-he. .really means it.
MERMAN SMILES, AS HE LEAVES, takes kisSES HER HAND.
MERMAN Inded. And the trouble with giving your word to a lovely lady is... one is often obliged to keep it!
You are all free to leave.. .Fare thee well.
HE-MAN But should Skeletor attack Nordica again- MERMAN Then.. .I’LL be ready for him, Eternian. DUNCAN
We should be going then. We have to deliver our report-
TEELA
Why? No one’s going to believe us, anyway!
AS WE TRACK THE CAMERA UP INTO THE NIGHT SKY, ABOVE THE FLASHING AND FLICKERING OF THE FIREWORKS, WE HEAR FROM OFF-SCREEN, SKELETOR’S VOICE,STATICKY AND HOLLOW.
SKELETOR Trap-Jaw.. . Do you read me? --Is Nordica burning?
-Is Nordica Burning?
(FADE TO BLACK)
END