Episode 26 : Who Is Guilty of Pride?

Skeleton General Skull Kaiser
(In Hell)

Skull Kaiser, formerly one of Samhain's greatest generals, stages a rebellion against impossible odds. The fate of countless worlds rests upon his ability to protect the Loss Queen and beat back her assailants. Along the way he is forced to fight old friends and make new allies...

Episode 26 : Who Is Guilty of Pride?

The episode opens with a brief replay of the final moments of the previous episode with Lord Horse's bellowing cry of, "Who, indeed, is guilty of Pride?!" All his attendants cower under the volume of his voice and Skull Kaiser looks on with interest as Lord Horse rises from his throne. Lord Horse chides his attendants, as they in fact are guilty of pride. He recounts their encounter, pointing out to them that he knows everything that goes on in his realm. Lord Horse apologizes to Skull Kaiser, who in turn bows to him.

Lord Horse explains the kinds of individuals who are punished here and what their sentences are like. He goes on to tell Skull Kaiser that every Hell will be different, but he wants to expedite matters as much as possible since time is of the essence and the Loss Queen and her Tower are in danger. Then he stares at Skull Kaiser for a moment and seems to size him up. He nods sagely and says that Skull Kaiser has never really been guilty of Pride. He has developed high personal standards and expects the same of everyone, which in and of itself is not wrong. In his life prior to Samhain and even during his entire career as Skull Kaiser, he's maintained a delicate balance. Once again, Skull Kaiser cannot really speak to anything that occurred before Samhain and Lord Horse says he understands.

Despite Skull Kaiser's lack of pride, however, Lord Horse will have to test him to ensure his value to the Loss Queen. They square off and begin fighting. This fight is not as messy as the fight with Lord Ox, and it takes longer. Lord Horse is more skilled and more precise than Lord Ox and this fight appears far more technical, with each countering and countering and countering. Both think to themselves that the other is a superb fighter and each are pleased at the opportunity to test themselves against the other. As they fight, Lord Horse begins to notice that the Kaiser Bones are acting like a battery drinking up Skull Kaiser's Ghost Light and storing it, and to store Ghost Light like that would provide a distinct advantage. He realizes that Skull Kaiser has been pacing himself far more than he has been himself and he begins to fear the power Skull Kaiser has built up if it should be released. As if on cue, Skull Kaiser catches Lord Horse a split second off his guard and punches him so that he's knocked clear of the fight momentarily. But this is followed immediately by Skull Kaiser's Kaiser Beam, which fries Lord Horse, turning his eyes white and blank.

Lord Horse revives moments later and rises to his feet with Skull Kaiser's aid. At first Lord Horse seems frightened then he nods and grins (as best his horse head allows him). He says that by his estimation, there is no better candidate for the job at hand than Skull Kaiser and he sends him off to the next gate. Skull Kaiser thanks him heartily and takes his leave.

To Be Continued...