Phoenix Rising
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Seventeen
King Zarkon was in his throne room. He was in a terrible mood - as he was wont to be lately. He snapped at everyone and everyone lived in fear that they would taste his rage. He had arbitrarily ordered the deaths of an entire household of servants simply because one of them dared to be sick in his prescence.
Even Hagar wasn't immune to Zarkon's foul mood. Zarkon had threatened her with the loss of her laboratory if she didn't succeed in defeating Voltron soon. He had just about had it with Voltron and the damnable Voltron Force. He wanted results and he wasn't getting them.
He had ranted and raved when he found out that Lotor took off again. When Lotor returned, he would have him gelded first and then he would kill him for his many failures. Zarkon had had it with him as well. Why Lotor couldn't have taken more after him was a mystery. Perhaps he should have had more legitimate heirs.
Although he had many illegitimate children by numerous slaves, he could not let a child of a mere slave to be his heir. He had been foolish to pin everything on just one. Ah well, it wasn't like he intended to give his heir anything anyway. He planned to live for a long, long time. His species was known for their longevity.
An officer came and knelt upon the floor in front of the steps leading to his throne. Zarkon snarled, "What is it?"
The officer, fearing for his life said, "Forgive the interruption, Sire. We have an incoming holotransmission. It is Priority One - for your eyes only."
The officer paused, "It is from the prince, sire.."
Zarkon roared, "So my cowardly son is afraid to face me in person, is he? As well he should be!"
Zarkon glanced down at the officer and said, "Send it though now!"
The officer nervously nodded and hurridly went to do as he was told, relieved that he was spared.
Zarkon dismissed everyone, including Hagar. He snarled at her as she left. "I better not hear that you've spied on me using your damnable tricks, old witch! There are ways to kill witches - you are expendable to me! Now go!" Hagar left without her usual grumbling. It was not wise to cross him, not when he was like this.
A few moments later, in the middle of his throne room, a nearly solid image of a man appeared, holding a woman in his arms. As the holo became clearer, Zarkon's eyes narrowed. What trickery was this? That wasn't Lotor! In fact the man appeared to be of his race. Zarkon looked at the scantily-clad woman in the man's arms. Her face was turned towards him. Zarkon's face lit up in keen interest. The woman was Princess Allura! Whatever was going on here was very interesting! He would listen to this would be prince who claimed to be his son.
Devonn's image bowed and he began to speak. "Greetings, King Zarkon, I, Prince Devonn of the planet Canesian greet you."
Zarkon thought that the name sounded familar, but he didn't know from where.
Devonn continued, "No doubt, you may not remember me. Perhaps the name of Lydeaa will ring a bell..she was the mother of Lotor and I - I am your son, King Zarkon - the true prince of Doom!"
Zarkon appeared startled. Devonn! Yes, I did sire him with Lydeaa..I thought he was dead.
Zarkon looked at Devonn's face closely. Yes, he did look like him too. Lotor had never looked like him, but Devonn did.
Zarkon smiled. How interesting. He hadn't thought of Devonn in years, for he had his heir. But now..
Devonn shifted slightly and said, "I know that you may be skeptical of my claim, but do you see the lovely woman in my arms? Surely you know of her! She is Princess Allura of Arus and as a token of my loyalty to you, I will give her to you to use as you will."
He smirked and said, "I have heard that Prince Lotor was unwilling to do this." Devonn moved aside so that Zarkon could see Lotor's body sprawled on the floor. Devonn smiled - a smile very much like Zarkon's - and said, "As you can see, Lotor has paid for his foolishness - I killed him myself!"
Zarkon still did not say a word. He was impressed. Devonn was every bit as ruthless as he was. He would be a great asset to him. Of course, he would keep him under close watch, but as long as Devonn did what he was told, perhaps this arrangement would work out. Perhaps since Devonn was so cooperative, he would finally show him the technology to get to his galaxy. He could imagine himself as ruler of both galaxies. And the princess! The fact that he would give him Princess Allura was even better! Now the Voltron Force would have to surrender their robot to him and Arus would finally become part of his Empire. Oh, this was a victory! He would finally get his revenge on the ones who dared to defy him. He would make sure of it. Already he anticipated humiliating the princess. He would break her stubborn spirit once and for all.
Devonn seemed to sense Zarkon's thoughts and said, "I wish to meet with you, father, and ally myself for your cause. Your enemies shall be mine and I shall be loyal to you..say that you will recieve me on Planet Doom and I will give the princess to you freely. I wish to be of service to you, my father and lord."
Zarkon raised an eyebrow. Lotor was never this respectful! Zarkon smiled an evil smile. He would do it. He would meet with his newfound son and he would use him for his purposes.
Devonn remained silent, as if waiting for his answer. Zarkon finally said, "Prince Devonn, you have shown me that you are truly my son - I will allow you an audience with me on Doom - upon the following conditions: You will submit your planet Canesian to my rule - you will give me the technology to open the wormhole into your galaxy and you will bring the princess to me directly. Those are my conditions, Prince Devonn."
Devonn nodded and bowed slightly, "I agree to your conditions, father. I wish to know the father I never had and follow in his evil footsteps.."
Zarkon's eyes glittered and he said, "Good, Devonn. I can see we shall get along well together. I will give you the coords to Doom and you will be here at the time I specify."
After the transmission ended, Zarkon sat back and laughed. At last his rule would be absolute.
On the other side of the wormhole, Prince Devonn sat down on the bed with the unconscious Allura in his lap and laughed. Soon, his rule would begin and it would be absolute. That fool Zarkon had taken the bait! Oh what a victory this would be! Devonn gazed down at Allura and smiled. He thought, soon everything will be mine, including you..
He got up with Allura still in his arms and left the bedroom. He barked at the two middle-aged castle guards standing outside of the palace, "You know what to do with him. Dispose of him and make sure it is through, or I swear when I return, I will hunt your families down and kill them one by one!" The guards nodded and said, "Yes, Lord Prince."
Devonn strode to his nearby ship and said, "Is it ready for our trip?" The pilot said, "Yes, Lord Prince."
An officer of high rank stood next to the ship at attention. He tried not to notice the beautiful woman the prince was holding, but it wasn't easy. Devonn turned to the officer and said, "General Grimm, you have your instructions. When I relay the signal, you will lead the Seventh Fleet through the wormhole to coordinates of the Galaxy Garrison headquarters. Take prisoners of high rank only. The others you may dispose of. When it has been taken, relay the signal to me.Do not fail me, Grimm. You know the conquences of failure.." The officer nodded curtly and left.
Devonn smiled as he carried Allura into his waiting ship. It would not be long now. Soon he would rule two universes! His victory was at hand!