It's unusual to find tragedy written into any television episode, and doubly unusual - even rare - to find it in a children's cartoon. In spite of that, however, or perhaps because of it, I find that the very few shows I saw in my youth which used tragedy in an honest way have been by far the most memorable, and the most powerful, shows I've ever seen.
One of the many strengths of the "He-Man" series was that it was often willing to work near the edge of tragedy. Episodes such as "Double Edged Sword", "The Remedy" and "The Bitter Rose" were among many which dealt with personal tragedies. The most noteworthy, and frightening, of these is the episode "The Problem with Power", where He-Man - believing that he has accidentally killed a man - throws his powers away to atone for his actions... leading to a second act of haunting melancholy as Prince Adam, powerless, deals with his guilt. The mood of despair is so strong that it's a difficult episode to watch even now, over a decade later. The "He-Man" series was so well conceived and so thoughtfully executed that it seemed to me it could support that most powerful of stories - a story with a tragic ending.
There was one tragedy which had been obliquely referred to in one of the early episodes, but never explored. I decided to explore it.
...In The Complete Kodak Animation Book, animation historian Charles Solomon quotes a Japanese maxim which is worth noting: "A weeping story is a good story, because it is always appealing."
FADE IN:
EXT. LONG SHOT OF ETERNIA - EARLY EVENING
Establishing shot.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. PATH TO GREYSKULL - EARLY EVENING
We see some twisted metal beams, gears, smashed tractor treads,
and the like strewn along the path
Camera pans towards Greyskull. For some yards, we come across
more wreckage of the same sort - something mechanical, and large,
has clearly been torn to shreds.
Pan ends next to Greyskull's doors. The Jawbridge is closed.
SKELETOR and HE-MAN face one another. For a moment, neither
speaks. Skeletor finally glances at the wreckage over his shoulder.
SKELETOR
Trapjaw told me it was indestructible.
HE-MAN
(shrugs; simply)
Trapjaw was wrong.
SKELETOR
He-Man... you've thwarted me for years. Some
day I'll learn your secret - and the secrets of
Greyskull! Then you'll have to answer to
Skeletor!
HE-MAN
I'll believe it when I see it. In the meantime...
(gesturing to the path)
...maybe you wouldn't mind cleaning up this mess?
SKELETOR
I'll wring Trapjaw's neck when I find him...
Skeletor teleports and vanishes. He-Man turns towards Greyskull;
the SORCERESS comes to one of the windows.
SORCERESS
Thank you, He-Man.
HE-MAN
Any time. I'll, uh...
(glancing at the path)
...pick up the trash later.
TRANSITION (stock)
INT. GREYSKULL - NIGHT
Close shot of a hand, holding the Sword of Power aloft. Pull
back to reveal PRINCE ADAM, no longer He-Man, lowering the sword
to his side.
ADAM
An electric battering-ram! Seems like Skeletor's
still got a few surprises left.
SORCERESS
It would appear so.
Adam stops. He has something on his mind, and has been looking for
a way to lead up to it. He looks again at the sword.
ADAM
Sorceress... I was wondering. You only gave me
this sword a few years ago, and before then I'd
only heard of Skeletor as a legend...
(he knows the answer already)
Were there other He-Men, before me?
SORCERESS
No, Adam. You have been the first to use the
sword since the days of the ancients.
ADAM
That's what I thought. But... my childhood on
Eternia was so peaceful... How could it - how
did it happen that Skeletor left Eternia in
peace, for so many years?
The Sorceress pauses before answering, remembering. The memory
is not pleasant.
SORCERESS
It wasn't his choice, Adam. When you were a very
young child, Skeletor was fought at length and
driven from this dimension...
(closes her eyes)
...at great cost.
ADAM
Will you tell me about it?
SORCERESS
(after a pause - she'd rather not)
It's a long story, Adam.
ADAM
(carefully)
I have time.
The Sorceress pauses, considering this. She then nods.
SORCERESS
All right, Adam. It will do you good to listen,
and it will do me some good to tell the story.
The Sorceress turns to the Mirror of Knowledge, and an image begins
to appear - the image of Eternia's past. Camera moves in slowly on the
Sorceress as she speaks.
SORCERESS
This was many years ago, Adam - back when you
were still learning to walk. Back when your
father, Randor, was still new to the Eternian
throne. Back to a time when I was away from
Greyskull, living by the Caves of the Crystal
Sea...
Close shot on the Sorceress, her eyes closed.
SORCERESS
...with my husband, Dannon.
Images are forming in the Mirror.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. AN ETERNIAN VILLAGE (DRISDOS) - DAY - TWENTY YEARS AGO
From this point on, everything we see takes place as part of a
flashback (unless we specify otherwise); all of our characters -
at least, the human ones - are thusly younger in appearance.
They are not, however, so young that we cannot recognize them.
We see a variety of VILLAGERS in the process of rebuilding
their homes; several Eternian TROOPS are helping them. To one
side is a table of plans and papers. Some villagers stand near
it, looking at the plans. Nearest to the table are DUNCAN, DANNON
and TEELANA.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
It was a time of reconstruction for our world.
Eternia had been ravaged by Hordak and his troops,
and less than a year later the Orc Wars had been
fought.
ADAM (voice-over)
The Orc Wars!
SORCERESS (voice-over)
Yes, Adam. And though the Orcs had at last been
driven away, still they had done much harm to
Eternia. We settled back to repair the damage
that had been done, believing that we had, at
last, won - and found peace.
A closer shot of the planning table gives us a better look at our
three heroes. Duncan, growing his mustache for the first time,
is examining a blueprint for the village square. Teelana, the
young Sorceress, notices something on the plans she likes and
points it out to Dannon; she is young, and cheerful, as though
grief and sorrow have never found a hold on her. (We will call
her Teelana henceforward, to differentiate her from the present-day
Sorceress.) Dannon is a magician, dressed primarily in black;
he is a serious man, and brave, and there is a nobility in the
way he carries himself. He smiles, amused, as Teelana nudges him
and points at the plans.
DUNCAN
Well... this village fared pretty well. Another
month or so and it should be back on its feet.
DANNON
Yes, this whole province seems to be in good shape.
DUNCAN
Maybe now we can all relax for a while. No more
battles or conflict - just some well-earned peace
and rest.
TEELANA
(to Duncan)
I like the victory monument you put in the
middle of the square.
DUNCAN
(with some surprise)
I didn't put that there...
A VILLAGER
(holding a pencil, embarrassed)
I did, uh, sir. It's not really a victory
monument, it's, uh, a monument to peace.
(quietly)
I didn't think you'd mind.
DUNCAN
(slowly, frowning at the plans)
Hmmm... Uh, Dannon, Teelana, maybe...
(beginning to grin)
...you could go back to the Palace and order a
crystal-stone for the monument.
The villagers begin to murmur in surprise. A crystal-stone!
Pretty damn extravagant. They are clearly delighted.
TEELANA
(as delighted as the villagers)
A crystal-stone!
DANNON
Crystal-stones are pretty expensive, Duncan.
DUNCAN
(quietly)
I've... got a little money saved up back at the
Palace.
DANNON
(quietly)
It won't be enough...
(leaning forward whispered)
...so we'll help you pay for it.
(the three of them smile)
We'll meet you back at the Palace.
DUNCAN
I won't be long.
(as Dannon and Teelana walk away)
Uh - the Attack-Trak is this way.
DANNON
That's okay, Duncan.
TEELANA
We have our own way home.
EXT. A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE VILLAGE - DAY
Dannon and Teelana step into shot. They are out of sight of the
village.
DANNON
Well - shall we go?
TEELANA
Yes, Dannon. To the Palace!
Dannon transforms into a raven, and Teelana into a falcon; the
two take to the air.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
INT. GREYSKULL - NIGHT - PRESENT DAY
Adam and the Sorceress are watching the tale unfold in the
Mirror of Knowledge. The raven and falcon can be seen in the
Mirror, gracefully flying together.
ADAM
Your husband!
SORCERESS
(a mild smile)
My husband. -I met Dannon at Greyskull...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. GREYSKULL - DAY - TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
ZODAC is bringing Dannon into Greyskull; Teelana awaits them.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
...Zodac said he would introduce me to the
legendary Sorcerer of the Crystal Sea - and
there he was.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BATTLEGROUNDS - A BATTLE OF THE ORC WARS - DAY
Duncan and Dannon are leading the Eternian troops.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
In the Orc Wars, he and Duncan fought together
defending Eternia - and they became fast friends.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE PATH TO GREYSKULL - A DARK DAY
The path over the Abyss is crumbling. Teelana lies on the narrow
span, unconscious, in mortal danger. Dannon is fighting to keep
the span from collapsing, channeling his magic through a staff
held over his head. ZANTHOR, the magician from "Golden Disks of
Knowledge", walks away from them, holding the glowing Disks,
ignoring their plight. The Jawbridge is open and trembling.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
And Dannon saved my life, on the horrible day
when Greyskull was breached and the Golden Disks
of Knowledge were lost...
INT. GREYSKULL - NIGHT - PRESENT DAY
Adam is incredulous.
ADAM
Greyskull? Breached?
SORCERESS
(with a smile)
That's another story, Adam. - Soon, we fell in
love. When we married, the Council of the Wise
permitted me to leave Castle Greyskull so we could
travel as we would. Zodac, our friend and ally,
took up the guardianship of Greyskull while we were
gone.
(looking again at the Mirror)
With Hordak gone, and the Orcs driven away, we
all thought Eternia was safe at last...
A new image forms in the Mirror.
INT. A GREAT HALL OF A FARAWAY DIMENSION
A crowd of thousands kneels. One man, evidently a great LEADER,
steps reluctantly forward from the crowd, up some steps and onto
a small dais. He carries a short white rod, his symbol of office.
He obviously doesn't want to step forward, but he does so all the
same.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
...but we had all forgotten Skeletor - who, with
Hordak gone, had the free run of thousands of
worlds.
The leader continues forward. He steps up before Skeletor, who
stands next to their throne, and offers the rod.
LEADER
The world of Kaltos is now yours, Skeletor.
I give you its leadership. I do this only for
the safety of my people - you would not be
ruler of this world, if I had my choice.
SKELETOR
(taking the rod)
Ah! But it's not your choice!
Skeletor crushes the rod and throws it down before the astonished
leader, as a gesture of contempt.
SKELETOR
From now on you will not speak with such insolence
to your new ruler! Put these people back to work -
there will be time to worship me later!
TRANSITION (stock)
INT. HALL OF THE COUNCIL OF EVIL - NO PLACE OR TIME
A large room in an unknown dimension. An octagonal table of solid
stone. The Council of Evil is meeting: the eight most evil beings
in this or any other Universe (except for Hordak, who is notably
absent). Only two of the members are familiar to us: Skeletor,
and the short alien MONTEIK (whom we met in the episode "Castle of
Heroes"). The others around the table, while unfamiliar to us, are
unmistakably powerful - and unmistakably evil.
At the head of the table sits the notorious MORLOK - an evil
magician, evidently human, with a fun-loving disposition.
Unfortunately his idea of fun involves launching deadly,
million-degree fireball spells upon unsuspecting victims.
MORLOK
(with a malicious grin)
So you've taken over Kaltos once and for all,
Skeletor. Very good! That will be one less
obstacle for the Council of Evil in the future.
SKELETOR
I told you it would be easy.
MORLOK
You did at that... I lose my bet.
Morlok gestures, and a drink materializes before Skeletor.
MORLOK
(continuing to all present)
And now, perhaps we can solve the problem of the
Three Staffs of Power...
SKELETOR
I'm afraid I'll be too bust to help the Council
with that trifle, Morlok. I am returning to
Eternia.
Raised eyebrows and looks of surprise from the Council.
SULLTI
(a giant lizard, or a small dragon)
You're leaving!
SKELETOR
I have unfinished business.
MORLOK
(still smiling, but in warning tones)
It will remain unfinished. Even in this Dark
Council you have responsibilities, Skeletor.
Besides - you couldn't claim Eternia with that
traitor Hordak-
SKELETOR
(cutting him off)
And Hordak is exiled - to Etheria, never to
return! As for me, I will do as I wish...
whether you care for it or not!
GR'MORA
(woman, medusa, and octopus all in one)
You would break the agreements!
MORLOK
(and he isn't smiling now)
When you joined this Council, you swore an agree-
ment to work with us, for our mutual profit!
You would throw all that aside now, for your own
pathetic battles?
SKELETOR
Swearing an agreement means nothing, Morlok -
not to you, to me, or to any of this Council!
You won't bind me with one of your "agreements"
every time it serves your own purposes!
MORLOK
(now genuinely angry)
Then you're throwing away a chance to work with
this Council!
SKELETOR
I have no desire to be your errand boy!
Morlok stands suddenly, slamming his fist into the table. He
doesn't even notice the stone table cracking under his hand.
MORLOK
(as he stands, enraged)
Skeletor! You defy the Council of Evil perhaps
more lightly than you should. You want to take
over Eternia - very well! Do it! But be warned:
you are cast from this Council, and if you ever
want our help again, it will be dearly bought!
SKELETOR
(stands; faces down Morlok)
I'll bear your words in mind, Morlok Master of
Fire. They will give me no end of amusement!
TRANSITION (stock)
INT. A HALLWAY OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Skeletor and Monteik walk away from the meeting.
MONTEIK
It doesn't pay to get Morlok mad at you, Skeletor.
SKELETOR
Morlok is a fool! He might want Eternia for
himself, for all we know. I won't stand by
and let him take it!
MONTEIK
Then what will you do?
SKELETOR
I have a plan - a plan that will destroy all
Eternia's defenses in one quick move. Then
nothing will stand in the way of my conquest!
Eternia will be mine for the taking!
MONTEIK
That's what I like about you, Skeletor... you
have initiative.
The hallway ends with a sinister-looking time portal.
SKELETOR
Thank you, old friend. And now, if you'll excuse
me... I have to lay my trap!
Skeletor steps through the portal and vanishes.
FADE OUT
FADE IN:
INT. PALACE ETERNIA - THRONE ROOM - AFTERNOON
RANDOR and MARLENA sit on the dais. Perhaps the YOUNG ADAM is
crawling near Marlena's feet. Duncan, Dannon and Teelana stand
before them.
RANDOR
A crystal-stone? You bought a crystal-stone?
MARLENA
It must have cost you a fortune!
RANDOR
Why didn't you talk to us first? There's still
some money in the treasury. We'd have been glad
to help out.
Duncan and Dannon exchange a glance.
DUNCAN
Well, uh... it was a pretty spur-of-the-moment
thing, your Majesty.
DANNON
We... It seemed like the thing to do.
RANDOR
Well, the people of Drisdos fought long and were
brave in battle - the kingdom of Eternia owes them
a debt. So I'll send the Royal Sculptor there in
the morning to begin carving the monument.
MARLENA
(quietly, to Randor)
But what about the palace statues? You wanted so
badly-
RANDOR
(sotto voce)
Sh - sh! They'll wait.
(with mock solemnity)
After all - this is a monument.
The two exchange a grin. Randor turns back to the others, returning
to business. Perhaps Marlena looks down to see what the baby Adam is
up to.
RANDOR
(clearing his throat)
Ahem! Now, then - I've heard some reports of
unusual activity in the area around Snake Moun-
tain. There's probably nothing to it, Snake
Mountain's been deserted since the Horde was
brought down, but... if you could check it
out...
DUNCAN
Of course, your Majesty. Dannon?
DANNON
Delighted.
TEELANA
Hey - -
(taking Dannon's arm)
you're not leaving me behind.
TRANSITION (stock)
EXT. THE WINDRAIDER IN FLIGHT - DUSK
Duncan, Dannon and Teelana within.
DANNON
Any idea what this could be, Duncan?
DUNCAN
Oh, probably wild animals or something like
that. Since the Horde was driven out of Eternia,
Snake Mountain's been largely deserted...
DUNCAN'S POINT OF VIEW OF SNAKE MOUNTAIN
The Windraider comes around some peaks, and gradually Snake Mountain comes
into view.
DUNCAN (out of shot)
...only a few small villages here and there.
As a result, you don't get much trouble from...
As more of the mountain comes into view, we see flashes of light
halfway up the mountainside: two dark figures, possibly Orcs,
are cutting an opening into the rock with a welding-torch.
DUNCAN (out of shot)
-What on Eternia...? Those look like Orcs!
And suddenly, we see laserfire.
EXT. THE WINDRAIDER IN FLIGHT
A laser shot pierces the ship's hull, and smoke begins to pour
from the exhaust. The engine grinds.
DUNCAN
We're hit! We're going to crash!
DANNON
Your porta-chute, Duncan! Bail out!
DUNCAN
(grabbing the chute from under the
seat, he tries to hand it to them)
No... this is the only one! One of you...
TEELANA
Don't worry about us! Use it!
DUNCAN
But - what about -
Dannon and Teelana exchange a glance, then suddenly change:
Dannon to a raven, Teelana to a falcon.
Duncan stares, amazed, as they fly from the Windraider. He
grips the porta-chute and bails out.
The Windraider crashes and burns.
EXT. JUNGLE - NEAR SNAKE MOUNTAIN - EVENING
Duncan lands and releases the chute. The raven and falcon fly
down to him, and change back to Dannon and Teelana.
DUNCAN
That... that's incredible! Where did you learn
to do that?
DANNON
It's not really something you learn - it's
more of a gift.
TEELANA
Those born by the Caves of the Crystal Sea can
teach themselves to become birds, with help...
it takes practice, but it can be useful.
DUNCAN
(impressed)
I can see that.
DANNON
We'll thank you to keep our secret, Duncan.
DUNCAN
Of course... The mountain is just off this way.
Let's see what all this is about!
EXT. JUNGLE - NEAR SNAKE MOUNTAIN - EVENING
The three of them walk through the woods.
DANNON
I have some reservations about bringing you
along, Teelana.
TEELANA
I understand, Dannon. I'll be all right.
EXT. AN OPENING INTO SNAKE MOUNTAIN - NIGHT
The three of them come out of the woods, contemplate the opening
for a moment.
DUNCAN
This looks like the way in... let's go.
They step in, Duncan first.
INSERT: AN ELECTRIC EYE NEAR THE GROUND
Duncan's foot breaks the beam, followed by Dannon's and Teelana's.
They don't notice.
INSERT: AN ALARM PANEL DEEPER INSIDE THE MOUNTAIN
A light comes on and begins blinking. MERMAN's finger points to it.
MERMAN (out of shot)
Well... they're finally here!
SKELETOR (out of shot)
Excellent! Is the Road Ripper in place?
MERMAN (out of shot)
Of course!
SKELETOR (out of shot)
And they're right on schedule...
INT. DEEP INSIDE SNAKE MOUNTAIN - CORRIDOR
Duncan, Dannon and Teelana.
DUNCAN
Nothing yet. I don't like this - it's too
quiet around here...
DANNON
Duncan - look here!
Dannon points to a large double-door. Some light seeps out from
under the door; shadows can be seen moving.
DANNON
See the light at the bottom of the door?
Someone's moving back there.
TEELANA
Several someones.
DANNON
I don't like this - it could be a trap.
DUNCAN
(approaching the doors)
Well, there's only one way to find out! Stand
back!
Duncan pulls the doors outward and open, and they see -
DUNCAN
Skeletor!
Sure enough, Skeletor is seated just inside. Behind him stand
ORCS. Hundreds of them.
SKELETOR
Ha-ha! Yes! Weren't expecting to see me again,
were you, Man-at-Arms? But now I'm back! And
as you can see, I've brought an ARMY of Orcs
with me! Tomorrow we will attack Palace Eternia...
at dawn! And as for you three...
(standing)
...you are now my prisoners!
(begins to laugh)
Reverse angle onto Duncan, Dannon, and Teelana; they are staring at
Skeletor in astonishment. As he continues to laugh -
FADE OUT
END OF ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. SNAKE MOUNTAIN - VAULTROOM
We pick up right where Act One left off.
DUNCAN
It... it's not possible! In the Orc Wars, we
drove the Orcs back to the dark side of Eternia!
SKELETOR
I've brought them back! Aren't you happy to see
them?
(turning)
Trapjaw! Merman! Escort our new prisoners down
to the dungeons! Tri-Klops, you go too! I don't
want to take any chances of their escaping!
TRAPJAW
All right, come on, you three!
Merman, TRAPJAW, and TRI-KLOPS step into shot and push our heroes
from the room.
DUNCAN
You'll never get away with this, Skeletor...
SKELETOR
Who's to stop me?
INT. INSIDE SNAKE MOUNTAIN - CORRIDOR
Duncan, Dannon and Teelana are being "escorted" to the dungeons
by Merman, Trapjaw and Tri-Klops.
DUNCAN
(quietly, to Dannon and Teelana)
We have to escape to warn the King.
DANNON
(with a nod; quietly)
Ready when you are...
DUNCAN
Uh, Trapjaw, your shoe's untied.
TRAPJAW
(looking down in spite of himself)
But I don't wear shoes... Yaaahhhh!
The moment Trapjaw looks down, Duncan throws himself headlong into
Trapjaw's body; they both hit the floor.
Dannon turns on Merman at the same instant, taking his arm,
trying to throw him. Merman manages to hold out, however, and
trips Dannon to the ground.
Tri-Klops tries to grab Teelana - but she steps down hard on the
instep of his foot, and before he recovers from that surprise
she spins his rotating eyepiece.
TRI-KLOPS
(completely out of control)
Everything's - spinning - I...
He falls backwards to the floor, completely disoriented.
Trapjaw rolls away from Duncan, and stands; he aims his
shoulder-mounted laser at Duncan and fires.
Duncan rolls to the side. Trapjaw's second shot nearly takes off
Duncan's helmet. Duncan counters by pulling out a bolo and throwing it.
The bolo wraps around Trapjaw, pinning him and his laser arm to a
nearby rock.
Merman is on top of Dannon, trying to pin him to the ground.
Dannon holds his palms outward and gestures, weaving a spell,
and Merman abruptly floats to the ceiling.
MERMAN
Ahhhrrrrrrr! Let me down!
DANNON
(shrugs)
Oh-kay...
He releases the spell. Merman drops like a stone, and lands
wedged between two stalagmites.
MERMAN
Me and my big mouth.
As Dannon climbs to his feet -
DUNCAN
(activating a wrist radio)
I just wish we had time to gift-wrap them. Duncan
to Palace... Duncan to Palace, come in...
DANNON
Something wrong?
DUNCAN
The frequencies are being jammed! This is more
serious than I thought. We've got to get to the
Palace - there's only a few hours before dawn!
TRANSITION (stock)
EXT. AN OPENING INTO SNAKE MOUNTAIN - NIGHT
Duncan, Dannon and Teelana come outside at a run. They stop,
out of breath.
DUNCAN
Now what?
DANNON
Even if Teelana and I flew, we might not make it
in time - and we don't want to leave you here.
DUNCAN
Then we may have a problem.
TEELANA
(looking in a different direction)
I think I may have a solution... there!
Reverse angle. We see the Road Ripper Teelana is pointing at.
DUNCAN
One of Skeletor's Road Rippers!
DANNON
Think you can run it, Duncan?
DUNCAN
I hope so - it's the only chance we have!
Come on!
EXT. JUST OUTSIDE SNAKE MOUNTAIN - NIGHT
Distant shot of the three of them climbing into the Road Ripper,
starting it, putting it in gear.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL:
INT. SNAKE MOUNTAIN - NIGHT
Skeletor, Trapjaw, BEASTMAN, and EVIL-LYN are watching all this
on Skeletor's viewscreen. Countless Orcs still stand silently behind
Skeletor's throne. Onscreen, the Road Ripper moves away.
SKELETOR
They're on their way.
BEASTMAN
They'll reach the Palace just before dawn.
SKELETOR
And they don't even suspect! My plan is working
perfectly!
BEASTMAN
Ahhrrrr... I still don't understand, Skeletor.
Why did you want them to escape?
SKELETOR
So they can prepare the Castle for an invasion
of Orcs - and that way, they'll be totally
unprepared for the real danger!
TRAPJAW
The real danger?
SKELETOR
Yes! A stray meteor - which I happened to notice
on our last destruction mission. I have diverted
its course! And within the hour, it will destroy
Palace Eternia - and all those within!
EVIL-LYN
And what if it doesn't, Skeletor?
SKELETOR
It MUST! I have tied all of my mystic power to
that meteor - if it fails, I'll be exiled from this
dimension! I cannot afford to have it fail! And it
will not - with all the palace guard on the ground,
they'll never realize their danger until it's
too late!
(almost to himself)
It will succeed - it must!
TRAPJAW
Well, then, what are we gonna do with all these
Orcs?
SKELETOR
(he's forgotten them)
Eh...? Ah, the Orcs. Evil-lyn! Take care of the
Orcs!
Evil-lyn gestures, and the entire army of Orcs shimmers and vanishes.
TRAPJAW
Wha...?
EVIL-LYN
The Orcs were not real, Trapjaw - they were just
an illusion!
(she begins to laugh)
TRANSITION (stock)
EXT. PALACE ETERNIA - NEARING DAWN
The Road Ripper roars towards the Palace at top speed.
EXT. PALACE ENTRY PAVILION - NEARING DAWN
The Road Ripper pulls up in the midst of the pavilion, and a
handful of PALACE GUARDS immediately come up to investigate.
Duncan is the first one out of the craft.
A GUARD
Man-at-Arms! Why did you come here in-
DUNCAN
No time for explanations! Wake the guards,
Lieutenant, sound the alarm!
(to another guard)
Sergeant! Wake the King!
SERGEANT
He's already awake, Sir - he's been waiting for
you to get back-
But Duncan is already heading for the throne room at a dead run.
TRANSITION (stock)
INT. PALACE THRONE ROOM
Randor and Marlena listen to Duncan. Dannon, Teelana and several
guards stand by.
RANDOR
Orcs-! It doesn't seem possible! How could
it happen, Duncan?
DUNCAN
Skeletor!
MARLENA
He's back on Eternia?
DUNCAN
Yes, your Highness.
RANDOR
From Skeletor, nothing surprises me. Captain
Bonham - ready the troops!
CAPTAIN BONHAM, the present Captain of the Guards, steps forward.
He is fortyish, black-haired, and built like a bear.
BONHAM
Yes, your Highness!
INT. SNAKE MOUNTAIN - NEARING DAWN
Skeletor and his henchmen watch all this through the viewer. Captain
Bonham and his men can be seen leaving Randor's throne room.
SKELETOR
(with a laugh)
Look at them! They're sitting ducks! They have
no idea what's going to happen!
(stands, holds one hand aloft)
And now... for the meteor...
TRANSITION (stock)
EXT. BATTLEMENTS - PALACE ETERNIA - DAWN
Duncan and Captain Bonham examine a ground-plan of the Palace.
BONHAM
...and our reinforcements are on the ground,
here, here... and here.
DUNCAN
That should hold us for now. I want you at the
forward outpost, John - that's where we'll need
you the most.
BONHAM
I'm on my way.
Captain Bonham leaves; Duncan moves back along the battlements to
King Randor. Marlena stands a short distance behind the King;
Dannon and Teelana are also there, standing a bit apart from the
others. Dannon is weaving some sort of spell.
RANDOR
Are the defenses ready, Man-at-Arms?
DUNCAN
Yes, your Majesty. All of our ground stations
are manned. Every spare man has been placed on
the ground, or on the walls.
RANDOR
Now all we can do is wait.
Camera goes to Dannon and Teelana. Dannon has created a ball of
light in front of them, which both are looking into.
INSERT: THE BALL OF LIGHT
In the ball can be seen a tremendous long-shot of Palace Eternia.
The fields surrounding it are peaceful. Perhaps the image
occasionally flickers.
DANNON (out of shot)
No Orcs... they must be somewhere...
An addition to the image. A forthcoming comet. Faces raised in
terror. The meteor strikes. Massive destruction. Panic. Chaos.
Palace Eternia silently collapses in flames...
BACK TO DANNON AND TEELANA
They stare at the image in amazement. The ball vanishes. They
exchange a short glance. Dannon turns, saying nothing, and moves
away at a run.
TEELANA
Dannon -
She hurries to follow him.
EXT. BATTLEMENTS - RANDOR, DUNCAN AND MARLENA - DAWN
Duncan is watching the field through electrobinoculars. They wait.
A pause. Randor happens to look up. Something catches his attention.
RANDOR
Duncan - what's that?
Duncan looks up, raises the binoculars.
INSERT: DUNCAN'S POINT OF VIEW THROUGH ELECTROBINOCULARS
It's just a dot of light, but it's arcing across the sky - and
we can already begin to hear it.
DUNCAN (out of shot)
It's a meteor - moving at tremendous speed!
BACK TO RANDOR AND DUNCAN
They still watch the meteor, awestruck by the sight.
RANDOR
It's heading straight towards us!
DUNCAN
(lowering the binoculars)
If it hits us...
(with terrible emphasis)
...it'll destroy Castle Eternia - and everyone
in it!
(grabbing the radio)
Captain Bonham - emergency! Come in!
INT. DUNCAN'S GARAGE - DAWN
Dannon and Teelana run in; Dannon heads straight towards a
Windraider.
TEELANA
Husband, what is it?
DANNON
It was a meteor. Skeletor - he has it heading
straight towards us!
(reaching the Windraider)
It has to be stopped!
Dannon climbs, unhesitatingly, into the Windraider.
Close-up of Teelana. A beat. Suddenly, her eyes widen - she
realizes exactly what Dannon intends to do.
TEELANA
(urgently)
You can't stop it with this.
DANNON
(turning the ignition)
I have to.
TEELANA
You're not serious!
But she knows he is. A beat. She steps forward, resolute, desperate.
He has the Windraider in gear.
TEELANA
I'm coming with you, then!
DANNON
(forcefully)
No!
(it's all he has time to say)
You have more to think of than yourself, now.
As the Windraider howls into motion-
TEELANA
(in anguish)
No--
And she is left, alone...
EXT. BATTLEMENTS - DAWN
Randor, Duncan and Marlena. Very fast dialogue.
DUNCAN
(into the radio)
No, it's no good. It's just absorbing the energy!
Get out of there! Run!
He turns to Randor. Shakes his head. They won't get away.
RANDOR
You mean there's no way to stop it?
DUNCAN
None! Not with all our troops on the ground!
RANDOR
What about the Ion Cannons?
DUNCAN
(shaking his head "no")
It just absorbs the energy. It's no good.
RANDOR
...Then we're finished.
DUNCAN
I'm afraid so.
MARLENA
But we can evacuate the palace!
RANDOR
(quietly; sadly)
It would take hours. We have less than a minute.
The meteor is very loud now. A beat. Or half a beat.
DUNCAN
Wait - what's that?
INT. SNAKE MOUNTAIN - DAWN
Skeletor and his cronies are watching the viewscreen.
SKELETOR
It's a Windraider... with that fool Dannon
flying it! What is he doing?
Skeletor and Beastman exchange a glance.
EXT. BATTLEMENTS
Duncan watches through the electrobinoculars.
DUNCAN
(in disbelief)
It's Dannon! He's heading straight towards it!
MARLENA
He's going to stop it!
DUNCAN
If he does, he's going to be killed -
INT. GARAGE - BEFORE THE DOORS
Teelana, watching the skies.
TEELANA
No... husband, no...
EXT. THE WINDRAIDER IN FLIGHT - DAWN
Dannon. There are many regrets, but he knows there is no other
way. He has only one last thing to do before the end.
DANNON
Oracle... Oracle of the Crystal Sea, hear my
thoughts...
He is closing rapidly on the meteor. He is about to hit.
INT. GARAGE - BEFORE THE DOORS
Teelana stands in the doorway, the dawn sky behind her, looking
out. She turns away just as the sky alights; the explosion echoes.
INT. SNAKE MOUNTAIN
Skeletor stands in disbelief.
SKELETOR
No--
The meteor is destroyed, and his power is undone, and he fades
from this dimension...
SKELETOR
--noooooooo!
EXT. BATTLEMENTS - DAWN
The explosion dies out. Randor, Marlena and Duncan stand a moment
in shock. Duncan breaks the silence.
DUNCAN
(quietly)
Dannon, my friend - why?
RANDOR
You know why, Duncan. You'd have done the same
thing, if you'd had time.
MARLENA
(slowly starting to cry)
But... but... he couldn't have died... his
wife, they - they were -
(she is now weeping)
RANDOR
Duncan... would you...
DUNCAN
(taking a moment to hear him)
Uh... yes... your Majesty?
Duncan slowly leads Marlena away. Randor takes a grip on the rail,
closes his eyes for a moment. A young GUARD, obviously puzzled,
approaches in the background. As he speaks, Randor opens his eyes.
GUARD
But - your Majesty - I don't understand. We've
won.
RANDOR
Won?
(the guard nods)
No, guard... we've won nothing... Page.
A PAGE comes into shot, holding a small recording device.
RANDOR
(issuing the proclamation)
Let the word go out to every corner of the king-
dom. From this day forward, the name of the
sorcerer Dannon is to be revered as a hero...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. THE LANDS OF ETERNIA - MORNING
A long shot of the Eternian fields, starting with the Palace,
slowly, gracefully panning towards the Crystal Sea.
RANDOR (voice-over)
...as a champion of the kingdom. For Dannon has
given us more than his service; he has given us
everything, in order to let us be free. The
kingdom's highest honors are hereby bestowed to
Dannon, the Sorcerer of the Crystal Sea, who
gave his life...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. A CAVE BY THE CRYSTAL SEA - MORNING
RANDOR (voice-over)
...in the defense of Eternia.
As Randor's voice concludes, Teelana steps into shot. It is, in
many ways, a different Teelana who stands before us now. For the
first time, sorrow has found a hold on her; the knowledge of
grief has entered her eyes, and it will never completely leave
her for the rest of her days. She looks, now, like our Sorceress of
today.
She steps slowly forward.
REVERSE ANGLE
Teelana walks up to a globe set into the crystal stone. We have
seen it in one other episode, only; it is the Oracle of the
Crystal Sea.
A face appears in the Oracle: very old, very wise, very kind.
TEELANA
(quietly)
Oracle... my husband...
ORACLE
(also quietly)
I know all about your husband.
TEELANA
(she almost whispers it)
He is dead now.
ORACLE
And he died so that others might live.
Teelana lowers her eyes. A pause.
ORACLE
He left a message for you.
Close-up of the Oracle.
ORACLE
He said that he loved you, that he had to do what
he did for all Eternia's sake... and that you
would understand.
Teelana has not looked up during this, but she has been listening;
she nods quickly, understanding, blinking back the tears.
ORACLE
He also said he was sorry to have left you with
nothing.
And at this, Teelana slowly looks up, meets the Oracle's gaze.
It takes her a moment to answer.
TEELANA
(she can barely speak)
No, not nothing...
(looking at herself)
...he left me a child.
She looks up once again, shaking with emotion, torn between
smiling and weeping; a slight smile comes through; a single tear
forms on her cheek.
TEELANA
My husband left me a child...
EXT. CAVE BY THE CRYSTAL SEA - MORNING
Shot from the cave's mouth, looking in, as the episode gently
ends. Teelana drops slowly to her knees as she silently begins to
weep...
SLOW FADE TO BLACK
END OF ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. GREYSKULL - NIGHT - PRESENT DAY
Adam and the Sorceress stand before the Mirror of Knowledge.
SORCERESS
With Skeletor gone, Eternia had peace for many
years. But it was a sad peace, for me... sad,
and terribly lonely.
ADAM
I never knew.
SORCERESS
Don't worry, Adam. The sadness slowly faded, but
my love for him remains. When you lose someone you
care for deeply, the loss can be hard at first...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BATTLEMENTS - DAWN
Marlena, weeping, is led slowly away by Duncan.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
...if you have such a loss, you shouldn't be
afraid to cry.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. A SHORT DISTANCE FROM DRISDOS - DAY
Dannon and Teelana turn into raven and falcon, and gracefully
take to the air together.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
But there are other ways to deal with the sadness.
I've thought often about why I cared for Dannon,
the times we've had together...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. CAVE BY THE CRYSTAL SEA
Teelana talking to the Oracle.
SORCERESS (voice-over)
And if you talk about your loss, to others you know
and trust, that will help as well.
INT. GREYSKULL
Back to Adam and the Sorceress.
ADAM
...Like us tonight.
SORCERESS
Like us, tonight.
(a kind smile)
And when someone you love leaves you, they always
leave you with something... they leave you with
memories. And memories are the greatest gifts
of all.
Camera holds on the Sorceress' face for a long moment. There is, as
always, a sadness in her eyes. And a certain peace as well.
FADE OUT.