Sinbad — now Captain of the Martian sand-pirate vessel The Blue Star — led an assault on the Imperial City, aiming to topple evil Emperor Akdhar and place young Prince Muqari, rightful Emperor of Mars, on the throne. The Prince and his guardian, the warrior-woman Qani, were to watch the battle from the safety of the hills, only entering the City if the outcome was in their favor. However, Muqari stealthily slipped away from Qani's safe-keeping, apparently heading to the City by himself. When Akdhar's bodyguard, Tarkuhn, told the Emperor of the weapon Sinbad carried — forged by the ancient Devil-gods of Mars — Akdhar panicked, locking himself away in his quarters. Meanwhile, Sinbad and his compatriot Kar-Tyr led the pirate army to smash through the City walls, battling Imperial Guards and Akdhar's patrol-beasts, the Gorvars. As Sinbad faced off with Tarkuhn, a blood-curdling scream emanated from Akdhar's chambers. Smashing through the door, Sinbad, Kar-Tyr and Tarkuhn were shocked to find Akdhar dead at the hands of Prince Muqari — and even more stunned when the little Prince transformed in front of them, revealing his true self: a monstrous Devil-god!