Alternate version of The Villain's Origin

By Victor <LostQuixote@aol.com >

Chapter One

Somewhere out in the universe there is this undeniable force of power and
evil. Its goal is no less than domination over the universe entire. In fact
this is an objective that is not far from being attained. This force is
known as the Horde Empire.

The Horde Empire is a technological marvel, which is key to its strength and
success. So much so that it would seem even the forces of nature were made
to serve the Horde's purposes.

The Horde maneuvers under the banner of peace. That through only its law the
universe can know unity. But Horde rule grants no freedom. "Horde Law is
the finest gift to the universe. None may deny it."

The Emperor of this intergalactic order is of unknown origin. It seems that
The Emperor was once an organic being, now a marvel of technology itself
known only as "Hordak."

For a time chronicled by none, save the Horde itself for itself, this Empire
has grown and consumed and suppressed and bridled everything within its
reach. This was not done purely through technology or by Hordak alone.
There are all too many beings in the cold, cold universe that are willing to
shed their souls and turn on their brother to attain a facsimile of power
provided by the Horde. It is these pitiful few that contribute to the
Horde's dominion. These petty yet feared individuals from races throughout
the cosmos come together to serve a force that allows them a jurisdiction
that is too often abused and neglected leaving no recourse for the common
citizenry.

There was one soldier, however, that stood apart from the others. One
soldier that seemed as if he never had a soul to begin with. One soldier who
was feared by his very peers for his apathy, his single minded service to the
Horde, and his record of devastating and undisputed results in the name of
Horde conquest.

The key to this soldier's victories in battle and war may very well have been
due to the fact that he actually believed in the Horde agenda. He was so
effective in his service to "The Universal Order" that his "merits" eventual
ly caught the attention of The Hordak and made him a sort of apprentice to
the Emperor.

Unbeknownst to all involved, this is was a mistake.


Chapter Two

Hordak's prize soldier was appointed Force Captain. An office created just
for him. This new office of Force Captain granted unprecedented authority to
its holder throughout the Horde Empire. The Force Captain answered only to
The Emperor and the occasional member of the Emperor's court depending on the
issue at hand.

Soon after his appointment, the Force Captain's presence was known throughout
the empire as he tightened the Horde's reins. Even the higher officials of
the Horde Empire were made to feel the clasp of his authority. Such
officials as Leech, a brutal governor based out in the frontier territories
and Catra The Horde's cunning director of intelligence resented the Force
Captain and his nigh-infinite command over their positions and even their
very lives.

Only in the darkest and most silent corners do these envious villains
complain and conspire. Even without Hordak's favor, The Force Captain is an
intimidating man. When he turns his attentions to their operations everyone
involved quickly falls in line and mutters a silent prayer to their godless
universe that He will not have their organs evaluated for research.

The Force Captain was particularly fascinated by what the Horde deemed
"heathen methods." This was any form of magick practiced in foreign and thus
uncivilized territories. Foreign territories because "magick" is outlawed
throughout The Horde Empire. The Force Captain wisely kept his interests to
himself.

There finally came a day when The Horde turned its attention to the last
tribe of Snake Men to have been aligned with the long exiled Hiss. Their
time had come and the Force Captain wanted to be personally involved in their
conquest. This was an opportunity to examine their magickal weapons and
civilization first hand. The Force Captain would lead the ground invasion to
satisfy his curiosity even if there was a slight chance it could cost him his
life or prosperity.

The campaign went as expected. The Horde made short work of the largely
defenseless snake people. A people who's ambitions were far more modest than
that of Hiss so many generations ago.

The Force Captain was eager to survey the newly acquired territory and to
learn of its magicks. As He and his party made their way though their
villages, He took the first chance to separate from the others and perhaps
attain some of the forbidden knowledge for himself.

The snake people of this tribe used an adobe-like material and architecture.
One such structure was so large that it may have been mostly carved from a
mountain. The Force Captain wandered into the mountain facility and noticed
a wealth of literature and tools all of a mystickal nature.

As The Force Captain proceeded he made his was toward a chamber beneath the
planet's surface. There was a soft blue light emanating from it. Inside he
saw many large organisms that gave off this soft blue glow. These Organisms
looked like giant mutated jelly fish. They sit helplessly as if beached.

The real site was inside these jelly fish. Through their translucent
membrane one could see beings within. Some were snake people, some were
alien, some were still alive, all were helplessly floating inside being
slowly digested by the "host" organism. By the looks of the chamber, and
it's residents these were no doubt criminals of the previous government.

Upon sight of this sick display the Force Captain could not help but wonder
if there was ever a more beautiful sight to behold in all the civilized
galaxies. While The Force Captain was admiring the snake people's ingenuity
his highly skilled senses detected movement behind him. Before he could
respond, a blast of hot concussive force was delivered to the back of his
head. While his Horde tech armor preserved Him from death and injury he was
put out like a light.

Upon regaining consciousness, The Force Captain soon noted that he was in a
mostly transparent fluid and surrounded by a deep pulsing sound. The Force
Captain's eyes soon adjusted to the light and fluid and through it he saw
Leech, Catra, and two Snake Men. They stood in the same space He was before
he was knocked out. They mocked Him as he realized that He was inside one of
the Organisms himself.

When Catra and the others were done basking in their treachery they left.
They collapsed the entrance behind them and left the Force Captain to his
fate.

This then lead the Force Captain to the Dark Epiphany.



Chapter Three

Inside the organism, the Force Captain contemplated many things. He didn't
fear consumption by the creature he was in. His Horde tech cybernetic armor
provided more than adequate protection from its digestive fluids. In fact,
He sort of likened it to a mother's womb.

As he saw Catra and Leech exit the chamber and collapse the corridor, he was
paralyzed with rage. You would never know from seeing him, however. He was
never one to wear His heart on His sleeve.

Quickly His silent anger submitted to the realization that he was alone.
Truly alone. Since his earliest memories in Horde education and military
training and throughout his entire military career he was watched closely by
technological eyes. This was Horde life. It was never an issue. It never
occurred to him that it could be an issue. It was his proud duty to serve
the Horde Empire and to do his part in achieving an universal order.
Furthermore, he never really had anything to hide anyway.

But now this was something different. This was privacy. This was. an
opportunity.

The Force Captain turned his thoughts to his betrayers. The very idea that
high officials in the very same government would assassinate HIM, The Force
Captain of the Horde Empire. It was quite a wild concept. What these two
did suggested that they had personal agendas. Ones that did not necessarily
coincide with the Empire's best interests.

If these two ranking officers were clearly not absolutely devoted to the goal
of an universal order, then how many others throughout the Empire were just
as lacking in their patriotism? The humbling truth hit the Force Captain
harder than any impact He had ever received in battle or training. He came
to terms with the fact that he was naive. It was naive to think that so many
races and entities throughout the galaxies would appreciate the Horde's gift
of peace and order simply because they were conquered.

It then occurred to the Force Captain that he too could have his own agenda.
That perhaps the time had come for him to start looking out for number one.

New thoughts percolated in His mind. Thoughts of leaving the Horde, of
exploring the uncharted universe, and of finding a new purpose.

But how? How does one escape the technological scrutiny of the Horde Empire?
The answer was all around him. Magicks.

The greatest single opposition to the Horde expanse was Hiss and The Snake
Nation. This was because, at the height of their power, they wield Magicks
that the Horde had difficulty countering. Later, Hiss inexplicably
disappeared and the Horde found ways to overwhelm the Snake Nation.

The time had come for action. The Force Captain accessed the artillery file
in his armor computer and selected a baton. The baton was constructed by the
systems from His armor and cybernetics in his body in two seconds, if that.
He used his weapon to discharge a bolt of energy that tore through the
organism.

Next, He summoned his personal mobile unit to the planet's surface as he
cleared an exit out of the facility. He then salvaged all the literature and
mystical artifacts that could be found in the rubble and had them all
catalogued and analyzed by his mobile unit's computer.

Quickly the first thing The Force Captain did was use his new resources to
find a means of escape deep into the uncharted regions. The problem is that
all his equipment and even the very cybernetics in his body would act as a
beacon to the Horde no matter where he went.

The Force Captain's ingenuity then kicked in. With what little he already
new about magicks, his plundered Snake people goods and the technology at
hand The Force Captain would fashion a weapon. One that the Horde would have
no defense against.

Later on Horde World, the Emperor was sent a live holographic feed from The
Force Captain into Hordak's throne room. "Hail, Great Hordak. The conquest
of the last tribe of the Snake Nation was an undisputed success. In fact,
there was a discovery made here that proved enlightening." The Force Captain
addressed Hordak as he always did, with total reverence. He was enjoying
stringing the Horde Emperor along.

Hordak's curiosity was piqued but he didn't show it. He maintained his aloof
demeanor. "Report your discovery Force Captain."

A smug grin formed on The Force Captain's face as it could no longer be
restrained. "Here I have discovered that the universe has more to offer than
the Horde's agenda. That I will never be a servant to anyone or for any
cause."

Hordak said nothing as he continued to look and listen to the holographic
feed of what was increasingly apparently his former force captain. He leaned
forward in his throne and his eyes narrowed as if he didn't completely
believe his senses. The very idea of the Horde's Force Captain defecting was
inconceivable.

"At this time I will tender my resignation." The new former Force Captain
then downloaded his resignation which took the form of a virus. One unlike
any before it.

The virus was a unique collaboration of Horde encryption and a curse of
havoc. It instantly infected the Horde Prime Mainframe and spread throughout
the Empire.

The galaxies over, troopers flailed helplessly, destructo tanks collapsed,
Batmeks crashed and various weapons of mass destruction went off or disarmed.
Needless to say, this ended the former captain's transmission to Horde
World. As soon as it started, it ended. The former Force Captain of the
Horde Empire did what no nation, no military coalition, or force of nature
could do. He crippled the technological marvel that was the Horde.

In this single act, many civilizations gained their freedom while others were
wiped out of creation. The former Force Captain didn't care either way about
any of it. He was free. Actually, now he was plagued with new problems.
Starting with, "What do I do now?"

Chapter Four

The Man who was the Horde's force captain was now a Horde Fugitive. He found
himself drifting aimlessly in his modified mobile unit through the
"uncivilized" expanse. For the first time ever, he had nowhere to go, no one
to report to or no assignment to accomplish. From time to time, the same
thought would pass. "Maybe this was a bad Idea."

Well, there's no sense in being particular when you don't know what's out
there, or even where you are. At this point one settlement is as good as
another. The Fugitive decided to camp near the first settlement his scanners
detected.

The planet he wound up on was only populated by one small village. The
village was nestled at the bottom of a valley. Aside from this and the
adjacent agricultural vegetation running through the chasm, the planet wasn't
much to look at. It was just gray rocky mountains and gray arid sky.

>From what the Fugitive deduced, these villagers were not native to this
planet. They were a humanoid race with smooth pale blue skin, silver hair on
their scalps and colorful baboon like noses. They had carts drawn by large
domesticated beasts and had crudely crafted metals along with laser cutting
tools and a relatively sophisticated hydroponics network in their farms.

There was little else to do, so the Fugitive decided to visit the village.
He landed his craft and set its cloaking field. He then reconfigured his
tech suit from armor to a more casual and modest garb. One thing he made a
point of was to wear a scarf that would conceal his head and face.

The Horde's threat surely surpassed its borderers. Thus, it was probably
wisest for the Horde's former force captain to travel under a low profile.
He may not receive a pleasant reception if his identity was realized.

When he got to the village he was quickly greeted by the villagers. Then he
was introduced to the village's leaders. They all turned out to be a
peaceful and hospitable people. It was an unique experience. The villagers
were eager to attend to this stranger. They were not intimidated by him at
all, yet they were courteous, generous, and festive.

The fugitive went with the flow but found it all so unnerving. These people
were so content and kind. When he was with the Horde, the populace of all
the worlds he traveled to panicked, aggressively defended their homes, or
surrendered and pleaded for their lives. He has certainly never been
welcomed or embraced by free men. Even though He was disturbed by it all,
there was a small part of him that thought it was nice.

He stayed with the villagers for a few days and nights. He helped with the
chores and fixed some of their equipment. In this time he also studied their
astrological charts and maps.

In some small way, he grew to enjoy the villagers' comradre. Yet, He felt no
real kinship with them. He decided to leave his hosts and their planet.
With his new charts and maps at his disposal, the Fugitive decide to find his
destiny.

The fugitive decided that he was going to further his education in sorcery.
He searched for a source of mystical activity. He found a moon.

This moon was fairly populated with various species and its topography varied
across its surface. There was, however, one jungle island that emitted a
magickal aura unlike and other part of the moon.

The Fugitive stationed his craft at the edge of the island and began his
search. He quickly noted how quiet the jungle was. It seems that the island
had no animal life which allowed the vegetation to grow strong and unchecked.
With the technology at his disposal, it would be a simple matter to clear
his way through the jungle. But not knowing the exact nature of magicks on
the island, the Fugitive choose to tread with surgical precision and patience.

After an arduous journey through the bush and just when The Fugitive was
about to reach the limit of his patience he found the land depressed
drastically. In this gorge was a long forgotten, layered pyramid. Lucky for
the botanicals that he did. He was getting a bit fed up with the tactful
search and about to disintegrate all the plant life on the island.

The stone pyramid had layers and was adorned with hieroglyphs carved into it.
It had vines running all over it, but they were clear of the structure's
peak which was a flat surface capped by a single large stone tablet.

The Hieroglyphs were not familiar to the fugitive, but it seemed clear that
they were warnings and implied great menace. This was all lost on the
Fugitive. He was a man with many traits, but fear was not among them.

With his cybernetic enhancements he was able to leap from the edge of the
gorge to the side of the pyramid and scale the pyramid from there. At the
top He examined the stone lid and quickly demolished it with his fists.
Whatever the architects had in mind, it was certain that they never dreamed
of a supertechnology that would breach the keep.

Needless to say that the Fugitive got in. The pyramid was dark and provided
little ventilation. This was not a concern. As a Horde soldier, The
fugitive's issued cybernetics allowed him to invade a nigh-infinite variety
of environmental conditions. His technology would compensate for whatever he
would require to invade any location.

The interior was pretty much what one would expect. Chambers of stone with
the occasional vase or sculpture or the like. The Fugitive had no
appreciation for art. Art was something the Horde never invested in. Maybe
it was time to pursue an interest.

There it was, or was this a he. No, this was., well, we'll find out soon
enough. This was a small hairless humanoid with a thick segmented epidermis.
He was a dark dull bronze and wore a blue and purple costume. "Such a silly
looking creature." The Fugitive thought.

The little creature was contained within a ring encircling a symbol drawn on
the chamber floor. The little man paced the diameter of his prison fading in
and out of sight and not making a sound. The curse placed on the little man
seemed to keep him from noticing anything outside the ring. He was oblivious
to the visitor in the chamber.

Arming his tech suit for whatever may come his way, the Fugitive then fired a
low powered bolt from his baton. The bolt struck the floor and was just
powerful enough to brake the ring. A vacuum sound followed echoing through
the chamber, yet the air held still very still. Lit torches materialized
around the room and the little prisoner was free.

The little man gasped and started across the symbol to touch the chamber
walls. He was giggling like a school child. Then he stopped to notice his
guest.

The Fugitive held very still and watched very carefully. The tickled little
man asked, "Did you free me?"

"Yes." The Fugitive coldly replied.

"My name is Montague. You have heard of me?" The little man asks as he
wonders what his liberator's purpose could be.

"No." The Fugitive replied. He wanted to learn as much of the subject as
possible without compromising his position.

"Well, effendi, I am quite grateful for your assistance." Montague said with
a smile and courteous manner. "Now if we have no further business to
consider--." Montague stops his thought and his demeanor shifts to a curious
caution. "Hmm. You're not. native to this moon, are you?"

"No." The Fugitive replied.

"Well then, effendi, If you value anything on this world, I suggest you
secure it. I'm about to have this thrice foul moon destroyed." Montague
then marches his way out of the chamber with a spring in his step. He's
almost dancing as if he were in a disco club.

Watching his opportunity strut away, The Fugitive saw it was time to change
tactics. He dropped the strong silent act and called out, "WAIT!"

Montague stopped and turned nonchalantly to his guest.

"I came here to learn sorcery." The Fugitive knew that he needed to be very
diplomatic with what he would follow with. He needed to be charming but his
ego demanded a firm facade. He still didn't know what to expect from this
"Montague."

Montague formed a smug smile. "Sure, but what would be my reason to do so,
effendi?"

The first thing the Fugitive though to respond with was, "Because I freed
you, you ungrateful mucus gnome!" But he didn't. The fugitive had to
negotiate well and fast. "Your energies have, no doubt, been depleted in
your captivity."

Montague was silent. He folded his arms and listened intently. "It could
take some time for you to accomplish your goal. In this time, the populace
of this moon may be alerted to your escape and take measures to prevent their
destruction. What if I destroyed this moon for you, right now?"

"Then I would wonder why one would bother learning sorcery, if one had such
power at his disposal." Montague answered, clearly humoring the negotiation.

It was a lucky guess that Montague wasn't able to destroy the planet
instantly. The Fugitive was pleased with the coarse the negotiations were
taking and made his pitch. "My onboard instruments survey the moon and brief
me before landing. I learned that there is an unique quality found in the
moon's basic chemical make up. If my equipment introduced the proper stimuli
to the geochemical properties found here, I assure you, this moon and all its
inhabitants would quickly turn into a worthless ball of dead slop."

The proposal was almost enough to make Montague drool. It was probably a
much more satisfying method than what he had in mind. "Effendi, we have a
bargain." The two shook hands. Montague still had his doubts on the
stranger's claim, but liked his style. "I assume you have a vessel. Where
is it?"

"At the southern edge of the island." Just as The Fugitive finished his
answer, Montague blinked the two out of the pyramid and on the island's
southern edge. The two boarded the craft and went into orbit.

In orbit, the two didn't speak. The Fugitive was occupied with his computer
and instruments. Montague sat as he watched the ship's pilot at work. After
what seemed to be an eternity to Montague, he was about to voice his
impatience when the Fugitive tuned to his passenger and said, "It is done."

Montague's attention was brought to a monitor. There he saw a satellite view
of the moon. There was a spot on the surface. A dark olive spot that was
growing. It grew faster and covered more and more of the moon's surface.

Another monitor showed a closer view of the unspeakable act of evil taking
place. The two villains watched the inhabitants screaming in horror as their
very world consumed them. Montague and his liberator were sickly satisfied
with the atrocity they brought about.

Montague spoke of "finally" getting his "revenge." The Fugitive pilot never
really thought much of revenge. It seemed a petty waste of time to him, but
he was fairly certain that his new friend would prove a valuable ally.

Chapter Five

The Fugitive, now a full time Aspiring Sorcerer, and Montague, his new cohort
visited and raided many different planets, and even dimensions. The two
plundered without regard. They collected various magikal tools, scrolls, and
what ever unique specimens can be found. Woe to any in their path.

Montague wasn't about to teach anyone his mystikal secrets. He did, however,
guide the Aspiring Sorcerer to opportunities that would provide Him with
lessons in the field of magiks. The aspiring student proved quite adept in
the ways of magicks and the occult. He had such a determination that it
seemed he could have anything he wanted. Alas, what he didn't want, was to
travel aimlessly through space any longer. The Aspiring Sorcerer wanted
something new, something more.

Montague grew weary of space travel, too. In fact, he was never fond of it.
After reaching a consensus, the two then discussed establishing a
headquarters.

Montague went on to propose a planet that was engaged by a breed of goblins
that he had been previously allied with.

The planet was ruined by war many times over. The factions have grown
greedy, hateful, and petty. This has kept their home charred and dismal for
over a century.

This planet sounded like the perfect project to the Aspiring Sorcerer. This
gave him new aspirations. He would bring order and civility to this war
weary world. The Aspiring Sorcerer now focused on what he was bred to do in
the beginning. He was now determined to take the role of Conqueror. The war
torn planet named Infinita was thought to have been damned some time ago.
When Montague leads its new Conqueror there, Infinita's darkest days will
follow.

Eventually, on Infinita, a dimensional portal opens outside the goblin
colony. The goblins are very light gray in color. Their eyes are entirely
ivory as are their fanged teeth, some of which remain exposed when their
mouths are closed. Their attire is a heavy, brown leather gear.

Soon after the dimensional portal opens the Goblin Legion arm and prepare for
whatever threat may pass through the portal. The Horde tech mobile unit
emerges from the portal and lands as the portal closes. This site was both
curious as the goblins have never seen such a craft and threatening as they
guestimated the girth of the craft to be, ".the size of six mammoths."

The Goblin Legion stood their ground. This was because they were ignorant to
the destructive force such a craft possessed and they were bred for combat.
These goblins felt that death in battle was the only honorable death. Atop a
massive war machine stood the Goblin General with a bullhorn. The General
addresses the Horde craft with authority. "Foreign vessel! I am General
Tataran of the Goblin Legion. You are to reveal your purpose here, or
withdraw from Infinita, or be destroyed where you are."

This amused the Conqueror. He knew the Legion wasn't capable of even denting
his craft.

Montague materialized next to General Tataran on his war machine. What
followed was a hearty greeting between the two old allies. Then Montague's
introduction of the man who was to be Infinita's ruler.

After acquainting and Tataran's hospitality, Tataran, Montague, and The
Conqueror discussed the wars on Infinita and the factions involved. Infinita
was controlled by the Goblin Legion, The Coalition of Humans, The Minotaur
Nation and the nomadic mutant tribes.

The humans accounted for most of Infinita's populace. They posed as the key
obstacle in planetary domination. The Human Coalition was large but all too
easily divided into its separate independent countries. The heart of the
human establishment was the city-state of Faludi Kalman. Here was the center
of commerce and would give any invading force access to any human territory
with great ease.

Faludi Kalman was run by a religious order of Zodac disciples that governed
from a temple compound.

Upon hearing this, The Conqueror interrupted Tataran's briefing to voice a
concern.

There has been no credible information concerning Zodacs. All throughout
their empire of galaxies, The Horde has no official intelligence regarding
Zodacs. The only information gathered on them came occasionally from
conquered territories. This information was often old and always vague. The
only common thread in these testimonials were that they were powerful
celestial beings that served to enforce a cosmic balance. The Horde has had
no encounter with Zodacs but remains concerned over their existence and their
agenda.

The Conqueror emphatically pointed out, "If Zodacs visit this world's humans,
we have no chance in claiming Infinita. No one does!"

General Tataran bares his fangs in an arrogant smile and assures his guests,
"These humans have never known, sited, or otherwise experienced any Zodac
presence. They simply worship a faith. They serve an assumption."

Montague and The Conqueror specify their goals and what they could offer the
Goblin Legion. Montague had considerable magiks. The Conqueror had magik of
his own along with a supertechnology and considerable war and conquest
expertise. Tataran was satisfied with Montague, the two had allied
previously, but the General required his companion, The Conqueror, to prove
his worth. If The Conqueror wanted to rule the planet, he had to prove to
the goblin general he was worth allying with.

The Conqueror proposed that he enter Faludi Kalman as a pilgrim. He would
gather intelligence and sabotage their defenses in the process. The primary
objective would be to secretly position vertexes that will allow for a
dimensional gate to form inside Faludi Kalman's boarders. This would permit
the Goblin Legion to enter the city quickly, easily, and effectively catch
the humans off guard.

After further briefing, the Conqueror configured his tech suit so that he
would look like a humble traveler, much like he did when he explored the
valley of the blue villagers, after his flight from the Horde. He walked
across the ashes of a wasteland known as the Dunes of Doom so that he
wouldn't be caught with his allies or caught using resources that would not
be consistent to the deception of a humble pilgrim.

As the days passed in Faludi Kalman, the disguised Conqueror made
preparations for the Goblin Legion to invade. He spied for sensitive
information, searched for weaknesses and strengths in security, and
determined what resources would prove useful for the next phase in the
campaign to conquer Infinita.

The tactics of espionage were not specifically what The Conqueror was trained
in by The Horde. In his career, in The Horde, The Conqueror never used
deception or guile. He never needed to. His means to achieve were
intimidation, technological might, and overt military campaign. Espionage
was not common in Horde protocol.

When the moment would arise, The Conqueror would infiltrate the monastery
compound. With his Horde tech suit camouflage activated, The Conqueror could
not be seen or heard. He observed, sabotaged and at key points he positioned
the gate vertexes.

In exploring the monastery compound, The Conqueror noted how adequate the
grounds were for the ruler of Infinita to reside. "It would need
renovations, of course. Then there's the damage that will occur in the
goblin invasion. Afterwards, there ought to be plenty of human slaves to
work on it."

At one point, The Conqueror discovered a series of dungeons under the Zodac
temple. There were six of them but only one was in use. The Conqueror's
curiosity peaked. He wanted to see who the disciples' guest was.

Still in camouflage, The Conqueror moved to the locked, heavy, metal door and
peered through the barred window. Inside was a large humanoid creature. It
was covered in red and orange fur. The creature was like a man with primate
features. It sat still on the floor with chains hanging from its wrists.
Clearly the chains were shackles torn from the dungeon wall.

The primate thing sat with its eyes focused in though. A rage was cultivated
deep inside this creature.

The Conqueror quietly picked the dungeon lock, entered, and deactivated his
camouflage. Slowly and quietly he closed the heavy door behind him. Then he
turned to address the imprisoned primate thing only to find it missing.

Suddenly, from the shadows on the ceiling, the primate thing savagely lunged
at its guest before he could realize what was going on. Thanks to years of
hand-to-hand experience, and his cybernetic enhancements, The Conqueror was
able to react and effectively counter its attack.

Before the creature could land, The Conqueror reached up with his right hand
and grabbed on to its skull, across its face. Keeping his grip on the skull
the whole time, he continued the primate thing's momentum. The Conqueror
swept the primate thing off its feet with his right leg and landed it. It
crashed on the floor. The visitor pinned its cranium down where the
dungeon's wall met the floor.

The Conqueror maintained his vice grip on the skull. His thumb and middle
finger clamped at each side of the prisoner's face by the eye sockets. The
Conqueror's fingers grind into the primate thing's skull. At the same time
his palm both blocks its vision and leans onto the creature's snout making it
harder to breath in addition to being painful.

With the primate thing at his mercy, The Conqueror leans close to whisper to
it. "Be still and listen." The prisoner complies. The only sound it made
was as it breathed through its currently hampered snout. "I am not one of
the humans of this world. I could kill you right now, but we have no
quarrel. In fact, right now, I may very well be your best friend. I am
going to release you now. When I do, you will calmly collect yourself and
tell me what I want to know. The biggest mistake, would be if you were to
attack me again. Do you understand?"

The primate thing nods slightly in agreement to his visitor's terms. The
Conqueror slowly eases and releases his grip and steps back to allow the
creature some personal space. The furry monster simply sits up on the floor
and against the cell wall. The Conqueror asks, "Who are you and why are you
in here?" Then stands silently and listens carefully.

The primate thing recounts his tale. The creature rarely makes eye contact
during his account. "I have no name. Not any more. They call me BeastMan.
That's all the name I have, now. I am a human, a man. My mother and father
were human, but normal ones. Not monsters like me. My mother and father
kept me a secret. I had to stay on our land. We lived on the eastern edge
of the city-state so I was a secret for a long time."

"One day the High Priests discovered me and sent the soldiers for me and my
mother and father. My mother and father were executed. The High Priests
considered my existence to be a serious anomaly in the cosmic balance. They
locked me here while they decide what my role is and how I hurt the cosmic
balance."

I could break out of here easily, and kill all the monks and the High
Priests. But, then what. I have nowhere to go. Normal humans hate me. I
hate them."

During the entire tale, The Conqueror stood still and gave no sign of
empathy. He did get an idea. "My friend. I am going to become ruler of
Infinita. The first step in my campaign is to take Faludi Kalman." The
BeastMan sits there like a bag of dirt. He barely acknowledges his visitor,
he doesn't really care. There is a part of him that listens, probably
because nobody else talks to him, and none have ever called him "friend."

"I will lead a goblin invasion into the city-state. You could join me.
Perhaps eliminate your persecutors." After saying this, The Conqueror looks
to the BeastMan for a spark of interest. He gets nothing.

Still not making any eye contact, BeastMan comments. "If you took over, and
let me slaughter the High Priests, I would be forever at your service." As
he said this, BeastMan remained skeptical on his visitor's claims.

The Conqueror smiles. This alliance seemed worthwhile. The Conqueror
extends his hand to the BeastMan. "You made a wise choice, BeastMan.
Joining me will get you vengeance and prestige." The BeastMan reaches for
The Conqueror's extended hand and The Conqueror helps the prisoner to his
feet. In the same grip they shake hands. In the hand shake, BeastMan felt
something in his visitor's palm and took it.

"It's a ration pill." The Conqueror explained. "When the invasion starts,
swallow it and you will be brought to your peak physical and mental
performance. A goblin squadron will find you and supply you with weapons.
Join them from there."

BeastMan nods his head and The Conqueror takes his leave. BeastMan then sits
back on the floor wondering if he'll ever see this man again.

The time was near and The Conqueror returned to the Goblin Colony to go over
details of the Invasion with General Tataran and Montague. As they plotted,
the general mentioned having a source that revealed much of the Human
Coalition military secrets. It was a crippled and blinded human named
Shamus. Shamus was a great warrior for the Human cause until the battle,
when he suffered the injuries that took his sight and his independence. The
Human Army left him for dead.

Because the Goblins recognized his valor in battle, they made him a prisoner
of war, rather than killing him on the spot. The Goblins tried to negotiate
his return to the humans, but got no response. This abandonment spawned a
rancor in Shamus. He didn't understand the humans' total disregard for one
of their own. One of their greatest.

Shamus then lived only to hate. He offered his assistance to the Goblin
Legion just to for a small, if unsatisfying, measure of revenge.

Hearing this, The Conqueror couldn't help but be reminded of his own story.
He met with Shamus and after getting acquainted, The Conqueror made him an
offer.

The Conqueror gave Shamus a visor from his collection of plunder. It was
green and was made to circle its wearer's head. When the blind cripple put
the visor on, an enchantment took hold. Shamus was not only able bodied, but
his physique was mystikaly enhanced.

In addition, he regained his sight. He could see not just what two eyes
could see, but more, much more. After the spell took hold, three symbolic
eyes appeared around the visor. Shamus was now Tri-Klops.

Tri-Klops' quickly celebrated his new body, but The Conqueror interrupted to
discuss the terms of his gift. "For as long as you enjoy that visor, my
interests are in your best interest. If anything unfortunate should happen
to me, or should I become dissatisfied with our new friendship, the visor's
power will nullify and you will revert to your previous condition. Do we
have an understanding?"

After learning the terms of his new form, Tri-klops took a moment. He then
reached out his hand to The Conqueror and said, "I understand you wish to
rule Infinita. It is now my purpose to fight in your name, and if it means
the fall of the Human Coalition, it will also be my pleasure." The two then
shake hands to seal their bargain.

Finally, the night arrives. Within the boarders of Faludi Kalman, three
great dimensional gates open and the Goblin Legion moved in full force. It
was a simple matter from this point. They knew where to strike and what
needed to be done. Faludi Kalman fell to The Conqueror.

After the battle, General Tataran, Montague, and The Conqueror agreed on a
treaty that would establish their roles after the planet was taken.

The Conqueror will rule Infinita absolutely.

Montague will be autonomous in regard to the common laws of the land provided
that he recognizes the authority of Infinita's ruler, and does not infringe
on the rights of the goblin population or the privileges of Tataran.

Tataran will receive a realm that includes, but is not limited to, the land
known as the Minotaur Nation. Tataran will have the right to pass any law
within his realm provided that they do not interfere in any way with those
set by Infinita's ruler.

Any and all goblins affiliated with the Goblin Legion will be considered
first class citizens. They have the right to own land and human slaves
should the opportunity occur. They will adhere to the authority of
Infinita's Ruler. The goblin population will recognize Tataran and his
Office, and recognize Montague's special immunity status.

After hammering out this "Treaty of Infinita," The Conqueror summoned
BeastMan. BeastMan stood up straight. He no longer wore the dungeon chains
and rags. He now wore a warrior gear that he found in storage. He was a
proud savage with a purpose.

When BeastMan arrived, The Conqueror smiled and said, "Now, for our
agreement." The Conqueror lead BeastMan down to the dungeons. Before The
Conqueror could make his presentation, the BeastMan smelled something and
raced into a cell ahead him. There was no longer any reason for The
Conqueror to proceed.

What the BeastMan found in the cell were the High Priests in shackles. As
The Conqueror walked away he was amused by the blood curdling screams that
tore through the dungeon halls.


Chapter Six

It wasn't long after the fall of Faludi Kalman for the rest of Infinita to
follow. The planet was claimed with a surgical and methodical expertise.
The Conqueror was so effective that some on Infinita believed he made a pact
with fate.

While conquering Infinita, the minotaurs were slaughtered and wiped off the
face of the planet. They refused to submit to the goblins or their leader's
rule. Aside from their horns and other bones, which the goblins use to adorn
their homes and garb, little is left of the proud minotaur race.

The humans were enslaved. They were collected, culled and distributed among
the goblin noble class.

The mutants are dispersed across the planet and in hiding. They are not
protected by Infinita's new laws and are often hunted by goblins for sport.
In these dark days, they are often envious of the humans and at times even
the minotaurs.

After The Conqueror established his authority and a throne, some things
became apparent to him. He found that there are only so many monuments that
he can have erected to himself. There are only so many self serving edicts he
can institute. There are only so many ways he can humiliate slaves and
commoners. Then, boredom sets in.

There came a day when Infinita's ruler learned of something. It came to his
attention that some of the human slaves were increasingly anxious, or at
times festive. He learned that this was in response to, what some of the
populace considered, signs of an event. "The House of Ghosts."

This event was considered a portent of changes to come. None can predict
exactly when it will happen, or even why, but according to myth, an image of
a phantom stronghold will manifest somewhere on Infinita.

"The House of Ghosts" myth intrigued Infinita's ruler. He researched this
phenomena. He consulted his plundered literature on magiks and turned to
Montague to coax what information he had of value.

The information gathered was very little, but very enticing. Infinita's ruler
surmised that "The House of Ghosts" was some sort of metaphysical
projection. Furthermore, he deduced that there was a very real, very
physical structure hidden somewhere out in the cosmos. This structure housed
secrets to the mysteries of the universe and unlimited power. Infinita's
ruler found that "The House of Ghosts" was actually the image of a fortress
called Castle Grayskull.

Maybe it was the numbing boredom. Maybe it was megalomania taking root in his
soul. Maybe it was something that was always in his blood that drives him
to war and conquest. Maybe it was for all these reasons and maybe it was
more. At some point, Infinita's ruler took a mental inventory over his land
and power and came to a conclusion. "This planet isn't worth its mass in
shit. Why did I ever bother conquering it? This world was in ruin before I
even found it. It'll be eons before its ecosystem and resources will begin
to rejuvenate."

"Perhaps, it's time to seek out greener pastures," Infinita's ruler thought.
The whole time, he made it a point to keep his ambitions to himself. If he
was going to embark on a new endeavor, he wanted the prize entirely for
himself. Infinita's ruler felt that his alliance with Montague and General
Tataran no longer served his purposes. Including them in his next venture
would mean compromising his ambitions and sharing the spoils.

Infinita's ruler made it his priority to find and take Castle Grayskull. He
worked in secret, obsessively to find the answers. Eventually, Infinita's
ruler devised a method that would take him there.

When the "House of Ghosts" appeared, Infinita's ruler raced to the scene in
his mobile command unit with BeastMan and Tri-Klops. There he walked into
the image to perform an occult ritual. The moment Infinita's ruler crossed
the threshold of the phantom edifice a chill surged into and out of his body.
Standing in the confines of the "house" was like standing inside a hologram.
He heard a soft unintelligible whispering as he prepared for the ritual, but
could identify no source.

Not knowing how much longer the "House of Ghosts" would remain, Infinita's
ruler was quick to set up for his ceremony. He checked with Tri-Klops and
BeastMan to make sure that the mobile unit's instruments were documenting the
experiment and prepared for any contingency.

Infinita's ruler performed the occult rites and in no time the space around
the "House of Ghosts" warped and formed a dimensional corridor. The mobile
command unit was signaled and in a flash it was next Infinita's ruler so that
he could board it quickly. Once aboard, he piloted the craft into the
corridor.

Once in the dimensional corridor, the mobile command unit's computer was
useless. It was unable to record any data or inform the passengers of the
current status. The three travelers were in a semi-suspended animation.
They didn't know exactly what was happening. Their ability to physicaly
react was inexplicably slowed down, almost to a halt. Suddenly, there was an
enormous impact, followed by a crash landing. The computer was back on line.
It indicated that the mobile unit had reached the other side of the corridor
and that the environment was safe for human habitation.

Infinita's ruler walked out of the craft to see Castle Grayskull. It stood
with a silent, ancient, if not lifeless majesty. As he looked at the mobile
unit's cash pattern, he saw skids in the ground forming away from the castle.
Infinita's ruler was speechless, because not only was this castle able to
deflect a ramming Horde tech vessel, but the castle showed no point of
impact. No cracks or chips in the castle, and not a spec of from the
castle's stones scraped onto the craft where the collision occurred. Truly,
this Grayskull had secrets worth plundering.

Infinita's ruler approached the Castle and set his cybernetics to project his
voice, much like a bull horn. He called out, "Residents of Castle Grayskull,
I am the Lord and Master of Infinita. I seek an audience with your head
administrator." Nothing. There was no sign of life much less any reaction.

Tri-Klops remarked, "By the looks of this place, it appears the castle has
been abandoned for ages. Of course, if the treasures inside are as fantastic
as you say, this dismal impression may be a ruse."

Infinita's ruler is captivated by the great fortress. He not only admires
its aesthetics, but he studies it for some sort of weakness or an
understanding of what it truly is. Keeping his focus on Grayskull,
Infinita's ruler asks, "What can you see beyond the castle's walls,
Tri-Klops?"

"Nothing. I can't even pierce the darkness past the castle window. There
are powerful forces at play here," Tri-Klops answered. He tried to be aloof,
but Tri-Klops didn't fool Infinita's ruler. In fact, Tri-Klops was spooked
by the stronghold.

Then Infinita's ruler pointed to the top of Grayskull and ordered BeastMan,
"Scale the wall and infiltrate the castle over the parapet."

Without haste, BeastMan runs to the foot of the castle and does as his master
commanded. As BeastMan started up the wall he soon found that the stones
would not allow him to properly grip them or gain any sort of foot hold. It
couldn't be seen or heard, but it felt as if the stones in the wall where
shifting position and size making it impossible to scale.

Next, Infinita's ruler hooked a cable from his mobile command unit, to the
castle's jaw bridge. He set the craft at full power to pull the jaw bridge
down. Nothing came of it. He then grabbed the cable and added his own
technologically enhanced strength to pull the jaw bridge down. Nothing came
of it. He then barked at BeastMan and Tri-Klops to help pull the jaw bridge
down. Nothing came of it.

Without a word, Infinita's ruler gave up on forcing the jaw bridge open. He
walked over to his craft, placed both hands flat on the surface and casually
leaned on it. He let loose a soft sigh of frustration and stared at the
ground. BeastMan and Tri-Klops looked on in silence. They felt awkward.
They didn't know what exactly their master was thinking or what he would do
next. They only knew that the best plan was to keep quiet and tread
carefully.

While no one was paying attention, a clang sound came from the end of the
cable. When the three villains looked to see what the sound was, they found
the cable grappling hook unhooked from the jaw bridge and lying on the
ground. Seeing this was like a mockery to Infinita's ruler. Now, he felt as
if he was being toyed with. He didn't make a sound, but his frustration was
seething.

Infinita's ruler walked into his mobile command unit and the other two waited
outside. Clearly, their master was in need of some space.

After a couple of hours, of silence, Infinita's ruler stepped out of his
craft and thought aloud. "This planet is rich in ethereal resources. Before
I make any further attempts at taking Grayskull, it may be prudent to tap
into the planet's magiks first and learn what more there is to know about the
castle."

Tri-Klops subtly adds, "This world is rich in life and potential as well.
It's worth touring." Tri-Klops hopes that his point will lead to a desired
end.

Tri-Klops' words weren't wasted on Infinita's ruler. As he stared at Castle
Grayskull, Infinita's ruler said, "Very well. Go and do as you will. Keep
yourself available. Always. I may summon you at any time." Infinita's ruler
then turns to look Tri-Klops at his visor, where his eyes used to be and
warns, "Do not keep me waiting. Remember our arrangement, Shamus."

Tri-Klops' restrained his aggravation. The notion that he may regret dealing
with Infinita's ruler to get his visor finally came into focus. Then, he
disappeared into the surrounding Evergreen forest to seek his fortune.

While still staring at Castle Grayskull, Infinita's ruler then noticed
BeastMan still at his side. "You should do the same," he suggested. "Go on.
Explore this new planet. Discover what it has to offer."

BeastMan lowered his eyes and humbly responded, "Where would I go? My place
is with you, master."

Infinita's ruler took his eyes off the castle and turned to BeastMan. He
placed his hand on BeastMan's woolly shoulder. It was an
uncharacteristically affable gesture on his part. Then Infinita's ruler
said, "It would be a service to both of us if you became oriented with this
world. I'll summon you when it is time. Until then good journey, my.
friend."

BeastMan said no more. He, too, vanished into the Evergreen forest.

Now that Infinita's ruler was alone, his thoughts turned to the planet's
mystical auras. He found that there was a geomystikal point in a region of
the planet that was covered in perpetual night. There Infinita's ruler would
tap into the planet's magikal aura and increase his power considerably.

Before he left Grayskull, Infinita's ruler thought on the castle's defenses.
It seemed nigh impenetrable, nigh indestructible, and defies examination. He
wondered if the castle would conceal itself in the forest once he left. If
it would disappear in the forest the way Tri-Klops and BeastMan seemed to.
Just before he left, Infinita's ruler burned down the surrounding forest
area. Just enough to make a clearing that the castle couldn't hide in.

Tracking down the geomystikal point, Infinita's ruler found himself in a
cavern at Eternia's dark side. Upon entry, torches along the walls lit the
way. The flames ignited by themselves as if the cave invited exploration.

Deep in the cold caverns, Infinita's ruler found a half naked man wearing a
skull face mask, lying in a puddle of blood, sweat, and vomit. The man was
alive, but he didn't seem able to move most of his body. He was able to
speak and turn his head but even this seemed to challenge him. He heard
Infinita's ruler walking near by but wasn't able to turn to see who was
there. He called out, "Is any body there?" Infinita's ruler kept silent and
watched. The paralyzed man continued, "I need help! I am Prince Keldor!
Son of the King! Please, help me!"

Infinita's ruler walked over to Keldor, picked him up, sat him up against the
wall, and removed the mask. He studied Keldor and apathetically asked, "What
happened to you?"

Keldor was exhausted, but pleased to finally see someone. "Thank you my
friend. I am in your debt."

Infinita's ruler repeated the question in the same way. "What happened to
you?"

Keldor closed his eyes in exhaust and shame as he told his tale. "I studied
magik. I did it in secret because it's considered taboo for royals to
practice 'witchcraft.' I met a woman. We studied magik together. One day,
she brought me to this cave. She told me that I could gain great magiks if I
attuned to its forces. As I performed a meditative ritual, I put on the mask
and the magiks of the cave cursed me. It felt as if cold hooks tore at my
soul. I was paralyzed."

"Where is the woman you spoke of?" asked Infinita's ruler.

"She left me here to die. She tricked me. She turned out to be Evil-Lyn,
one of the world's greatest criminals. Her plan was for me to see if I could
take the cave's magiks and steal them from me or control them through me,
somehow.

"I did something so horrible." Keldor would be crying, if he wasn't so
dehydrated. "Part of the ritual was a sacrifice. In my madness for power, I
offered my brother's infant daughter, Adora. As the cave's magik attacked
me, I saw my niece engulfed in shadow and smoke, and then she was gone. I
have to find her."

As Keldor spoke, Infinita's ruler felt drawn to the skull mask. It was as if
he had an impulse to wear it. Keldor noticed Infinita's ruler's attention
turn to the skull mask and warned him not to put it on. The warning fell on
deaf ears.

Infinita's ruler walked deeper into the caverns and put the skull mask on.
As he walked, there was a sudden cold spasm surging through his body. All
the torches in the cavern went out. Then there was only silence and
darkness.

The silence was soon broken by Keldor's heavy breathing, caused by both his
curse and his fear of what may happen next.

As soon as the flames went out, the torches lit up, again. Keldor was the
sole witness to the inception of Eternia's (and perhaps the universe's)
greatest blight. A haze of smoke and mist emanated from his body and filled
the air around him. His face was gone. The mask was no longer a mask, but
his new face. The new skull face was animated and subtly reflected its
master's expression. The smoke and mist that filled the darkness made way
for the light, when the cavern torches were back on. As the haze dispelled,
a word formed. no, it was a name. A new name for the new incarnation of
Infinita's ruler. SKELETOR.

Skeletor was instantly struck with two distinct sensations at once. The
first was a high from the raw strength and potency of his new body. The
second wasn't physical, but felt on a profound, spiritual level. Deep within
his being Skeletor felt a cold void.

As Skeletor became oriented with his new incarnation, he was visited by a
skeletal specter and a large purple feline. The specter glowed as it hanged
lifeless in the air. It spoke to the evil lord, "You have been chosen by the
dark forces to be their champion."

Skeletor responded with, "I serve no one. Identify yourself."

The Specter answered, "I serve the dark forces. I am an agent of hate,
greed, fear, and misery."

Next, Skeletor asked, "What is your purpose here?"

"The dark forces have selected you. They are your benefactor," the Specter
said.

Skeletor reiterated through clinched teeth, "I. Serve. No one."