Masters-of-the-Universe-Piece Theatre: “Help”

It’s time for another Masters-of-the-Universe-Piece Theatre photo story. The name “Masters-of-the-Universe-Piece Theatre” was coined by Kevin Beckett at the Whetstone Discord server. You can check out all of the Masters-of-the-Universe-Piece Theatre Photo Stories here.

At Snake Mountain:

“You called, Lord Skeletor?”

“Yes, my Evil Warriors. I called you here to hear and execute my latest glorious plan.”

“D… does it involve capturing Adora for the Mighty Hordak?”

“All in due time, Mantenna. After all, Hordak and I have a deal. He – or rather you – help me capture Man-at-Arms and I shall help him recapture Princess Adora.”

“Ahem and why are we capturing Man-at-Arms, boss?”

“So he can build machines and weapons for us, Trap Jaw. And tell me all about the secrets of Castle Grayskull and how to kill He-Man, while he’s at it.”

“Uhm, I’m pretty sure Tri-Klops won’t like that, boss. After all, he is our tech guy.”

“I don’t care what Tri-Klops thinks. If he doesn’t want to be replaced, maybe he should come up with inventions that actually work.”

“More importantly, my Lord, why do you think Man-at-Arms will help you? Have you forgotten that he hates your guts and with good reason, too? After all, you murdered his lover before his eyes and had him thrown into the dungeon together with the Orolax. He will never, ever agree to work for you.”

“He will, if he knows what’s good for him, Lyn. Cause if he doesn’t cooperate, he’ll feel pain like he’s never felt before. After all, Beast-Man is itching to use that new whip of his on some soft human flesh.”

“Last I saw, Duncan’s flesh was anything but soft. In fact, his muscles are impressively hard for a man his age…”

“I’m itching to use some of my weapons on Duncan, too, boss. After all, he was the one who got me sacked from the King’s service and he broke my jaw, too. I owe him.”

“Anyway, you can torture Duncan all you want, but he still won’t work for you and he won’t talk either. He’d rather die.”

“Then he will die. But first, we’ll get to have some fun with him, Lynnie.”

“Oh, I can sure think of many ways to have fun with Duncan. Many, many ways…”

“Me, too. Starting with breaking his jaw.”

“Then what are you waiting for, imbeciles? Bring me Man-at-Arms! Preferably alive and in one piece!”

“As you command, my Lord.”

“Okey-dokey, Boss.”

“W…why are we wasting time with this? We should be finding and capturing Adora, so I can go home.”

“Shut up, Hordling!”

“M… my name is not Hordling. It’s Ma…Mantenna.”

***

Meanwhile, in the garden of Eternos Palace:

“I really like this new power and armour upgrade, Adam. We should go somewhere more private, so I can very thoroughly inspect all the changes.”

“Ahem, Teela, you know that I have to change back before we…”

“Of course. But until then, I get to admire the view. So come on, He-Man. Let’s go on an extended patrol of the outer perimeter. A very extended patrol…”

“Guys, guys…!

“Orko, what the…?!”“What’s the matter, Orko? Is anything wrong? Is the palace under attack?”

“No, I just wanted to show you my latest magic trick.”

“That’s really nice of you, Orko. But maybe later. We were just about to embark on a patrol of the outer perimeter.”

“Oh, can I come? I can help you keep an eye out for the bad guys. And maybe we can have a picnic like in the old days?”

“I’m sorry, Orko, but it’s too dangerous. Skeletor’s minions could attack at any moment.”

“That’s okay. My magic actually works properly now… well, most of the time.”

“There might be Shadow Beasts. And Rock Monsters…”

“…and Dragons.”

“Shadow Beasts and Dragons? Are you sure you don’t need any help? Cause I fought Shadow Beasts in Subternia and…”

“We’ll be fine, Orko, honestly. Why don’t you head over to Dad’s workshop? I’m sure he could use some help and maybe you can show him your new trick.”

“Okay, guys, if you don’t want my help…”

***

Later, at the outer perimeter:

“Poor Orko. I feel sorry about leaving him behind. After all, we do take Cringer along sometimes.”

“Cringer makes a nice soft pillow. And he doesn’t talk.”

“Orko doesn’t talk either. After all, he kept He-Man’s secret for years.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t have foisted him on Dad. He’s busy enough as it is.”

“Oh come on, your father loves Orko. And besides, his magic does work now… well, most of the time.”

“Yes, Orko only managed to break a single egg, since he came back. Of course, it did land on Dad’s head, but still…”

***

Meanwhile, in Man-at-Arms’ workshop:

“So, brother of mine, because I know you’ll only be grumpy if I don’t ask, what mechanical miracle are you working on today?”

“Why, thank you for asking, Malcolm. It’s a techno-magical sword for He-Man, just in case he is ever separated from his Power Sword. The Sorceress and I were working on it, before she… she… sniff.”

“And how would He-Man ever be separated from his Power Sword? After all, that boy truly packs a punch. Prince Adam, on the other hand, tends to lose his sword. The sword that we’re not supposed to notice looks exactly like the Power Sword.”

“Shut up, Malcolm!”

“Man-at-Arms, Man-at-Arms, can I show you my new magic trick?”

“Sigh. Not now, Orko. I’m engaged in some very delicate techno-magical work here.”

“Magical? I can help. My magic works now… well, most of the time, and…”

“Orko, this is very delicate work. He-Man’s life could depend on me getting this right.”

“So you don’t want my help either? Just like Adam and Teela. They didn’t want to take me along on their patrol of the outer perimeter.”

“Oh, I bet they didn’t.”

“Shut up, Malcolm.”

“Nobody wants me. I’m just a liability.”

“That’s not true, Orko. We’re all glad to have you back with us.”

“Then why didn’t Adam and Teela take me along on their patrol?”

“Because they… well, they want to do whatever you and Dree-Elle do, when you’re all alone.”

“You mean they… they’re rubbing noses?!!”

“Snort.”

“Yes, Orko, Adam and Teela are rubbing noses.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’re rubbing a lot more than that.”

“Shut up, Malcolm!”

“Please, Man-at-Arms, can I help? I’ll be good, I promise.”

“Sigh. All right, Orko, you can help. But no magic, understood? Just hand me the tools from the toolbox.”

“No magic, as you command. Just tools.”

“All right, then give me a hammer, please.”

“That’s a wire cutter, Orko, not a hammer.”

“Sorry, Man-at-Arms. I’ll get it right, I promise.”

“Snicker.”

“Malcolm…”

“Yes, I know, I’ll shut up.”

“Not that hammer, Orko. Where did you even get that? That’s not yours.”

“That nice Thor we met lately said I could keep it, if I can carry it. Odd, it’s not even all that heavy. After all, it’s not as if I’m He-Man.”

“Just put that away and give me a proper hammer.”

“That’s more like it. Thank you, Orko.”

“You’re welcome. I’m always happy to help.”

“I know, Orko, I know.”

CRASH! BOOM!

“What the…?”

“In the name of Skeletor, Overlord of Destruction, stay where you are or face the consequences.”

“Stay back, Orko! We’ll handle this.”

“Yeah, we’ll just take out the trash.”

“Well, you clearly want to do this the hard way. Hordling, do your thing!”

“Th… the name is Ma… Mantenna, not Hordling.”

ZAPP!

“C…can’t move.”

“The Hordling…”

“Mantenna. For the last time, my name is Mantenna.”

“Whatever. He has frozen you with his stun beam. You, Duncan, are now a prisoner of Skeletor. Chain him up, Trap Jaw.”

“With pleasure.”

“Got to help them. I’ve got to help Man-at-Arms and Fisto. But how?”

“Skeletor has plans for you, Duncan. So do I.”

“If Skeletor thinks that I’d ever work for him, then he’s mistaken. I’d rather die.”

“That’s exactly what I told him, but he just wouldn’t listen. And make no mistake, Duncan, he will kill you. He’s always hated you, since long before he was Skeletor. But if you’re nice to me, maybe I’ll make you my personal pet.”

“Leave him alone, Witch. He’s spoken for and I’m gay.”

“Is that so, Fisto? Maybe we should take you along for Tri-Klops to play with then.”

“I really must help them. But how? I know.”

POOF!

“Oh, we’ll have a lot of fun before Skeletor finally kills you, Duncan. So much fun.”

CONK!

“What in the name of Horokoth…?”

“Orko?!”

“Stop threatening my friends, Lyn. I don’t want to fight you, but I will, if I must. And my magic works much better now, since you brought me back from the dead.”

“I’m really not in the mood for this, Orko. Hordling, freeze him!”

“Ma… Mantenna. The name is Mantenna.”

ZAPP!

“His stun beams won’t work on me, Lyn. I’m immune against Horde tech and magic. So stand down. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will.”

“Ah well, for old times’sake. And because I do have a soft spot for you and for Duncan here.”

“Hordling, take Trap Jaw and go!”

“The name’s still Mantenna.”

“What a pity, Duncan! We could have had so much fun together.”

ZAPP!

CLATTER…

“Looks like today is your lucky day, Duncan. But don’t think I’ll be so merciful next time we meet. Unless you make it worth my while, that is…”

“What do you want, Lyn?”

“Isn’t that obvious? And here I thought you were smart.”

“Ugh, he’s heavy.”

“Be seeing you.”

“Ske… Skeletor won’t like this, Evil-Lyn. And the… the Mighty Hordak won’t like it either. Cause the Mi… Mighty Mordak had a deal with Skeletor. We help you capture h… him and Skeletor helps us capture Adora.”

“Let me worry about Skeletor, Hordling. As for Hordak, you may want to remind him who it was that freed him from Despondos and that he’s very welcome.”

“You freed Hordak from Despondos, Lyn?! Cause I don’t think that was a good idea.”

“Well, it seemed like one at the time. Bye, boys. I’m sure we’ll meet again. Nice tea set, by the way.”

“Don’t mock me, Lyn.”

“I wasn’t mocking you, Duncan. It is a nice tea set.”

“Man-at-Arms, Fisto, are you all right?”

“Thanks to you, little friend.”

“Uh, now that was something else. Is there anything you want to tell me about you and Evil-Lyn, brother?”

“Shut up, Malcolm.”

“Dad, Uncle Malcolm, Orko, what happened here? Why is there a huge hole in the wall? Did Ram-Man forget his keys… again? Or did one of Orko’s spells misfire… again?”

“We had visitors. Evil-Lyn, Trap Jaw and a Horde creature named Mantenna.”

“What…? What did they want? Did they want to steal the new sword or…?”

“From the looks of it, I’d say that Evil-Lyn wanted to make your father her own personal sex slave.”

“What?!

“Shut up, Malcolm. Teela, put the guards on high alert! I fear the Horde may be going after Princess Adora again.”

“Adora? By Zoar, we much protect her. I’m not letting the Horde take her again.”

“And we will, He-Man. We will protect Adora. They got lucky today. They won’t get lucky again.”

“This is all our fault. We should never have left the palace undefended. Dad and Adora might have been taken, while we…”

“It’s all right, Teela. We handled it. And it’s all thanks to Orko here. Come on, little buddy, let me give you a big hug.”

“Oh, Man-at-Arms is feeling manly emotions.”

“Don’t push your luck, Orko.”

***

Inspired by the unlikely bond Orko and Evil-Lyn develop during their adventures in Masters of the Universe: Revelation as well as by the fact that the same show also revealed that Evil-Lyn has a thing for Duncan.

The reason behind Trap Jaw’s appearnace varies in the different versions of Masters of the Universe, though the 2002 cartoon revealed that Trap Jaw was once a mercenary/criminal named Kronis with two arms and a regular jaw. In some of the comics, Skeletor is the one who shatters Kronis’ jaw and arm, after Kronis launches a rebellion against him, and is responsible for turning Kronis into Trap Jaw. However, in the Netflix CGI show, a young Duncan is the one who breaks Kronis’ jaw and is also revealed to be Kronis’ former apprentice. I kind of like that version, since it gives Trap Jaw a very personal reason to dislike Duncan, so I kept it.

Oh yes, and I might just have outed Tri-Klops.

I hope you enjoyed this Masters-of-the-Universe-Piece Theatre Photo Story. There will be more stories coming in the future, because I’m having a lot of fun doing these.

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of these characters, I just bought some toys, took photos of them and wrote little scenes to go with those photos. All characters are copyright and trademark their respective owners.