Phoenix Rising
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
In the Hands of the Enemy
Allura had awoke briefly during the long trip to Doom. She was in Devonn's lap when she opened her eyes sleepily. The hypo he had given her had affected her strongly.
Devonn felt her stir and looked down on her. He said, "Well, my sleeping beauty awakens!"
Allura groaned in despair as he bent down and kissed her mouth. Devonn stroked her cheek and said, "Soon..soon, Allura, you will be mine..but I must make sure you get plenty of rest!" He grinned and Allura felt another blast of a hypospray. Blackness overcame her again as Devonn chuckled at her. She would give him no trouble now.
Arus, Castle Control
Coran at Castle Control received an incoming message marked urgent. To his surprise, it was from Planet Doom! Coran activated the comm and said, "Transmit.."
The message was a recorded one, done not so long ago. It was King Zarkon.
He said, "This message is for Galaxy Garrison and all the planetary allies of the Alliance as well as the Voltron Force!" Zarkon grinned evilly and continued, "You will be unable to shut your coms down. I wish for you all to witness this!! It is my triumph!" Coran stood in shock as the rest of Voltron Force ran in and quickly became silent. This did not bode well. Zarkon was too confident. He had something up his sleeve, something big.
Zarkon continued, "By the time you witness this, you will all surrender to me, and the Voltron Force will bow down and become my slaves!"
The guys all erupted in vehement denials until Keith commanded their silence. Zarkon was right. The transmission could not be shut off.
Coran said, "Until we see what Zarkon has planned, you all better remain on alert. I will try to contact Allura."
Little did he know what trouble Allura was now in.
They arrived on Doom without any trouble. Devonn,carrying Allura, was escorted to Zarkon's throne room. All of Zarkon's court was present, as was Witch Hagar. As he entered, Zarkon sat upon his throne and bid him to enter.
He looked at Devonn and thought that he truly was his son. They looked much alike.
Devonn came forward and bowed slightly, "King Zarkon, I am honored to be in your presence."
Zarkon came down from his throne to where he faced Devonn. Zarkon smiled evilly, "I think you have something to give me."
Devonn smiled and said, "Of course, my liege. A promise is a promise."
Coran and the Voltron Force stood transfixed as the recorded message gave way to what obviously was a live vid. Zarkon's throne room! What was going on there? They watched in amazement as what appeared to a Drule came in carrying a scantitly-clad woman. Her attire covered her, but left little to the imagination. All gasped as they saw them walk closer to the throne.
The Drule was nearly an exact twin of Zarkon and the woman - the woman was Princess Allura! Nanny, who was standing there watching in shock, started to weep. Coran and the others were in shock as well, but what happened next drove them into despair.
Devonn smiled at Zarkon and thought, ..greedy fool! Take her - you won't have her or your empire for long!.
Devonn bowed slightly again and said formally, "My lord father, I give you as promised, this woman, Allura to do with as you please."
He handed her to Zarkon, who held her in his arms trumphantly and said, "Thank you, I accept her! My son..I have arranged it to where the entire galaxy will witness your homecoming and my triumph!"
Devonn knew what he meant and thought that that would be excellent. The whole galaxy would soon know it's ruler! Zarkon, still holding the princess in his arms, addressed himself to the captive audience viewing him.
He said, "You are witnessing my triumph, Galaxy Garrison! Voltron Force, do you see who I have now? Your Princess! You will surrender Arus and Voltron to me and you will become my willing slaves! She is mine now, thanks to my son, Prince Devonn - my new heir, and I claim all that is hers!!
Coran blanched and said, "Prince Devonn...oh god!"
Keith said, "Isn't he the prince of Canesian?"
Coran said, "Yes! But I never knew..dear god! I sent her to him!!"
Lance said, "Coran, you didn't know.."
Coran whipped his head around and snapped, "I should have known! King Raull's wife disappeared for a time and never came back! Rumor had it that she was on Doom. The next we heard was that Raull's wife was dead, leaving Devonn!" Coran looked with horror to the screen and said, "He is Zarkon's son..that face! Oh god, what have I done?" Coran shook with emotion but continued to watch the screen, as did the others.
To rub it in, Zarkon ran his hand down Allura's body and said, "What shall I do with her, Voltron Force? She is lovely."
He grinned and his eyes flashed evily as he said, "I'm sure I will think of something." He bent and placed her down upon the floor.
He addressed them all again as he came towards Devonn and placed his arm around him. "I, King Zarkon, announce to all that my eldest son, Lotor has been executed for his crimes against the Empire, and that my only son, Devonn, is now the Crown Prince of the Doom Empire!"
All at Castle Control thought...Lotor dead? They couldn't quite believe their long time enemy was actually dead.
Zarkon embraced Devonn in a parody of fatherly tenderness. Devonn returned the hug, although he too did not mean it. He was ready now. Before Zarkon could pull away, Devonn yelled, "Die, Father!" and stabbed Zarkon through the heart with a hidden stiletto.
Zarkon gasped in pain and looked down. Blood was beginning to stain his robes. He gasped, "You - you traitor!"
Devonn smiled and said, "Like father, like son."
Zarkon whipped his head around to Hagar. He gasped, "Hagar! Kill him!"
Hagar cackled and said, "Why should I? You have never appreciated my talents! You deserve to die!" She laughed as Zarkon slumped to the ground, his life force gone.
When Devonn saw that he was dead, he yelled, "Long live the King!!" He laughed uproariously and then turned to Hagar.
He said, "Since you did not try to stop me, Hagar, I will reward you. How would you like to rule Arus?" The old witch cackled, "I would like it fine, Your Majesty! Of course I will have to do extensive remodeling! Heehee!!"
Devonn callously bent and picked up his father's crown and scepter. He placed Zarkon's crown upon his head. He arose and said in a loud voice. "All of you who witness this! My father Zarkon is dead! I, Devonn, his son, claim his throne and his empire!"
To the utter horror of everyone, he picked up the unconscious form of Princess Allura and said, "And I claim the Princess Allura as my bride and Queen in the custom of my mother's people."
In Castle Control, Pidge yelled, "Coran! You've been to Canesian! What's their custom?"
Coran said, "It's been so long! Wait! Alfor told me once..oh god!"
Keith asked, "Coran! What is it?"
Coran looked like he was going to faint. He said, "Their custom is that if a royal kisses his intended in front of witnesses - they are married. He needs no consent from the bride!"
Hunk said, "Look!" All looked towards the screen again.
At that moment, Allura began to stir and Devonn said softly, "Ahh..you're awake! Good...my bride.." Devonn raised his voice again and said, "I claim her in the custom my people embraced long ago. A kiss of posession. Witness this and know that she is mine!"
Keith yelled, "Nooo!!!"
Before all, Devonn turned Allura's face to his and kissed her slowly - a kiss of posession and victory. She moaned in revulsion, but she could not fight him. ,
He laughed and said, "Now..I want your surrender, Voltron Force! No heroics please and no tricks! I have her now and I claim all that is hers. And by the way, Voltron Force! In just a moment, you will recieve a signal..hmm just ..about...now!" He laughed.
Coran looked down at his sensor/comm station. Suddenly a signal came through and Coran deciphed it. He said, "Galaxy Garrison headquarters has been captured! Many civilian casualties..." He blanched. They are holding the Garrison Officer Staff captive!"
Keith said, "We must form Voltron!!"
As if Devonn knew what he was thinking,he said, "Ah..Voltron Force! Do not try to rescue your Galaxy Garrison friends with Voltron. You will surrender the lions to me. You will not move from the Castle of Lions. If any of you step out of the Castle, I will order the execution of each of your fine officers - and their end will not be pleasant or swift."
Devonn turned briefly to Hagar and then said, "To ensure your cooperation, my faithful witch Hagar will launch a Robeast to keep watch over the Castle. Soon I will bring my own troops to subdue you all and I will use the resources ot the Empire to make my rule absolute! You will surrender, Voltron Force. By the laws of the universe, all that is hers is mine!"
Allura opened her eyes and awakened fully. The first thing she saw was the body of Zarkon sprawled lifeless on the floor, a puddle of blood beneath him, and his eyes staring into nothingness.
Allura screamed and started to struggle. Devonn looked down upon her and frowned. "Ah,Allura. Now that is not a way for the Queen of Doom to act!" He released her and then suddenly grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up, her feet dangling in the air. She closed her eyes and hoped he would kill her.
Devonn gazed at her and said, "I really should teach you a lesson, my wife." He let the words sink in, enjoying the fear on her face. He said, "I taught Giselle one."
He abruptly let her drop to the floor. Allura gasped in pain as she fell. Devonn grabbed her roughly again and said, "You don't know? Why she was the woman who gave you the brat!" Allura's eyes widened. Devonn smirked and traced a finger upon her cheek. "Yes.I merely did some cosmetic surgury upon her with her knife!"
Allura gasped and said, "You monster!"
Devonn laughed and said, "Why, I daresay Giselle makes Hagar look beautiful!!"
Allura struggled again, hoping to provoke him into killing her. Devonn slapped her hard and said, "Don't try to provoke me, angel. No matter what you do, I won't kill you."
He ran his hands over her body, uncaring that all saw. He chuckled and said, "Perhaps we should consumate our marriage now, Allura, while all the universe is watching." She blanched and Devonn laughed again. He pulled her to him closely. When she resisted, he pulled her hair hard and bent her head back.
She screamed as he tried to kiss her. Allura fought him, her hands clawing at him. Still he kept trying to force his lips upon her own. Her eyes flashed with both anger and fear but still she fought him. He finally brought his lips down upon hers, but at the last moment, she bit him on his mouth and he yelled in rage. He raised his fist and clouted her on her head, knocking her down. Devonn screamed at her, "You are mine! You live and die at my whim! Do you hear me, wife! I command you!"
He slapped her face repeatly and started to rip at her clothing. He was in a frenzy for her resistance both angered and excited him. Allura moaned in pain and Devonn quickly stopped. He didn't want to lose control with her - at least not yet. Breathing heavily, he pulled back and said, "As much as I want to take you now, my Queen,I will wait just a bit longer."
Allura, still reeling from his blows tried to fight him weakly as he lifted her up in his arms. Devonn jerked her chin towards him and hissed. "You, my Queen, will do everything I want or I swear you shall see your Voltron Force friends heads upon a pike!"
Allura moaned as Devonn, uncaring of his bleeding lip kissed her triumphantly. He whispered, "You will learn to obey me - if I have to beat you to do it.I will!" Devonn,without a single word, carried her out of the throne room. The transmission cut off abruptly.
All everyone could do in Castle Control was stand there in shock. In a span of five minutes their universe had turned upside down.