Phoenix Rising
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Aboard Phoenix Rising,Enroute to Planet Arus
Bengale was amazed that Lotor knew where everything was. Lotor started up the ship, powered up his weaponry and said, "Bengale, make sure Giselle and the baby are secure. I know the trip through the wormhole is turbulent." Bengale did as he was told and Lotor prepared to lift off.
The Phoenix became airborne quickly and Lotor thrilled to the way the ship seemed to smoothly pick up speed. This ship was marvelous! Why a fleet of these would be invincible! He thought about Allura and feared for her. He had to get to her and get her from Devonn!
Without thinking, he punched a code into the ship's controls and the ship's engines increased speed until they were going into warp.He approached the coords where the wormhole was located, and without pausing, the Phoenix opened the wormhole easily. The ship passed through the wormhole quickly, still picking up speed. Lotor had never been in a ship that could go at such a high rate of speed without sacrificing the hull integrity. Truly his mother's ship was a marvel.
Suddenly, the vidcom of the ship came on and Lotor immediately recoginized where the transmission was coming from - the throne room of Doom! Lotor gasped as he saw what had to be Prince Devonn- his true form revealed, carrying his love,Allura. He heard everything, and his heart clenched in fear as he saw Devonn hand Allura over to his 'father'. A few moments later, Zarkon lay dead and Lotor cried out in agony as he saw Devonn claim Allura in marriage.
He howled, "No! She is my wife!You demon!!" He could feel waves of fear and loathing in his mind and in his heart and he realized that they were coming from Allura! Lotor saw Devonn abuse her and he wished he were there to choke the life out of him. He could feel the rage from her as she fought him and the despair as Devonn beat her down and forced a kiss from her. In his mind he called out, "Allura! I'm coming!!" and he pushed the ship to faster speeds, little realizing that the ship's velocity was pulling the wormhole with it.
He could dimly hear Bengale screaming, "You'll kill us all!"
Lotor snarled, "Shut up!" and the old man quickly became quiet.
They raced through and then Lotor heard a BOOM! as they came into the Denubian Galaxy. Lotor gradually decreased the speed and said, "Is everyone all right? Giselle, how is the baby?"
Giselle said, "She is fine. She slept through the whole thing."
Lotor said, "Good."
He looked on his scanners,sensing something amiss. Arus should be before them. Then he noticed something odd. There was what appeared to be a small moon orbiting at a distance from Arus. This wasn't here before! Lotor punched in a data readout and exclaimed, "That's Canesian!"
Bengale and Giselle made their way up to the cockpit. Bengale snapped, "What do you mean, Canesian? It's on the other side!"
Lotor shook his head, " The sensors indicate that the planet orbiting Arus is Canesian and the sensors do not detect the prescence of the wormhole."
Bengale said, "Oh bosh! Sensors cannot detect - "
Lotor cut him off. "Most sensors can't, old fool! But the Phoenix can!"
Bengale still challenged him. "And how would you know, 'your majesty'? You've only just flown this ship!"
Lotor,instantly rose and grabbed Bengale by the scruff of the neck and said quietly, "Because the blood of Lydeaa runs within me,coward! I know everything you did on Doom - playing both sides.I know this ship because my mother's people knew it. Her thoughts are mine, old man! You claimed to have loved her, but you only wanted her for your selfish purposes! I have half a mind to throw you out into space,but I won't. I suggest you sit down and shut up or I will change my mind!"
He released Bengale and Bengale without another word went back to his seat and sat down.
Giselle asked, "Your Majesty, is it true?"
Lotor said, "Yes, it is. That is Canesian. Somehow I think this ship turned the wormhole about, bringing Canesian into my galaxy. I wonder if perhaps it had originally belonged here."
Giselle said softly, "It could be - we have a legend that once there were two beautiful planets created by the gods. They were blessed with riches and prosperity. But the two kings of these two planets decided to join forces. They decided that they did not need the ones who had created them and had taken care of them, so the gods decided to separate them. They created a swirling vortex that sucked the smaller planet in - that was Canesian - into another galaxy where it remained all by itself. The vortex was unreachable and could not be crossed. Thus the two planets could not plot against the gods."
Lotor mused about this for a moment and said, "I don't know about that legend, Giselle,but I know of another legend who can help us free Allura and defeat Devonn - the legend of Voltron! We go to Arus!"
Giselle checked on the baby and then secured her own self. She smiled. Soon Devonn's defeat would come.
They were all in Castle Control, frustrated, angry. A roebeast was outside, and they could not go out to fight for fear of the princess' safety and the Command at Galaxy Garrison headquarters.
Hunk in utter frustration, aimed his fist at a wall and put a hole in it. He cursed and Keith said, "Calm down, Hunk! That won't help us, now!"
Hunk said, "Well, it sure helped me. Dammit, Keith. We gotta do something!"
Lance said, "Yeah, we just can't sit here!"
Keith replied, "What the hell do you expect me to do about it? I would call Voltron out in a heartbeat, but this Devonn has the entire Garrison leadership under his thumb, and I don't see you guys coming up with anything either!"
Pidge said, "Maybe I can - " But before Pidge could get his sentence out, Coran exclaimed, "Look at this!"
They all went to the monitor. Coran said, "A small moon is orbiting our planet! According to sensors, it hasn't caused any enviromental effects. It's as if it were a natural phenomenon!"
Lance was skeptical."You sure it's not from Doom, Coran?"
Coran shook his head. "Negative, all scans indicate it is natural."
Nanny, who was nearby, sniffled and said,"Of course, Coran! Don't you remember the legend? You told it to the Princess once when she was but a tiny thing."
Coran said, "Hmm..yes I did. The Twins of Arus..separated by a jealous goddess.
[beep..alert!]
Wait! Incoming ship! It is a design not familar to this galaxy.I know that ship! It is.." Coran searched his memory.
"It is the Phoenix Rising! It was Queen Lydeaa's ship!"
Keith said, "Lydeaa?"
Coran said, " I'm sorry. I never mentioned her name.Her disappearance reminded me so much of what happened to my own wife. She was King Raull's wife - the one who was rumored to be on Doom long ago. Alfor had tried to retrieve her many times for Raull, but had failed."
Coran quickly looked to the viewscreen again. "The roebeast! It has seen the Phoenix!!"
As Lotor approached the Castle of Lions, he saw it. Big and ugly - a robeast. This would be the first time he ever had to fight one in a ship. He grimly thought that nothing was going to keep him from rescuing Allura, especially not some ugly robeast of Hagar's!
He said under his breath, "Let's see what this ship can do."
The robeast saw the intruder and roared. The robeast took a swipe at the Phoenix and missed. Lotor smirked. He wasn't first in his piloting class for nothing! He punched in the weapons codes and he seemed to know what weapons would do the trick in defeating this robeast. Lotor aimed his weapons upon the beast and had disabled one of it's many appendages. Lotor thought that this robeast was a weak one. Perhap Devonn didn't expect any resistance. Hmm. that was unusual, unless Devonn had another trick up his sleeve. He was probably holding hostages - at least that's what he would have done.
Lotor felt a momentary shame at the thought of all the times he tried to force Allura to marry him. No wonder she had loathed him so. But now she loved him and he loved her. He would fight to the gates of Hell and beyond for her - and the little one sleeping in the back.
Lotor narrowed his eyes and punched another weapons code. Swinging around the robeast, who was slow conpared to the ship, Lotor fired a blast between the robeasts eyes. The robeast went down and then suddenly began to disintergrate! By the time the robeast had hit the ground, there was nothing. Lotor marvelled at the weaponry and then he shivered. No wonder his true father, Rauul had hid the ship from Devonn. A whole fleet of these could oblitrate whole armies.
With the robeast gone, Lotor landed the ship. He said curtly, "You two stay here."
He turned to go and then came back. He handed Giselle a loaded lasergun. Lotor said, "Keep this pointed at his head while I'm gone.I don't trust him. If he moves,shoot him."
Giselle took the gun and nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Bengale sputtered, "You can't do this to me! I saved your life!"
Lotor smirked and said, "And you would have ended it too, had it suited your purpose! You will sit still!"
The old man quickly decided that perhaps it would be better to cooperate, so he was silent as he sat down. Lotor grabbed a hooded cloak and put it on. Again, upon seeing him, Bengale shivered. It was like seeing the spirits of the dead come back to life! He crossed himself again as Lotor, his hood upon his head, left the ship.
On Doom:
Allura sank into the hot scented water and closed her eyes, not wanting to see all the female slaves that tended to her. Her body ached all over and she dreaded what was to come. She opened her eyes and noticed that most of these females slaves were blond and she thought that these were probably Lotor's own slaves. She grimaced and then she saw that their eyes looked scared, as if they feared their new master - as well they should.
They continued to tend to her and one of the slaves brushed out her hair. The female slave dared to whisper,"So you are she - the one our master had loved.."
Allura was startled. She said, "You know of me?"
The female slave nodded, "Yes, he would call your name out at night when he dreamed. He did love you so. We are sorry he is dead, for now there is no one to protect us."
Allura said, "So he did.."
The slave smiled sadly and said, "Yes, Zarkon was brutal. He took pleasure in hurting his female slaves. The Prince would conquer planets and take as many female slaves as he could. The others he would hide. He hated to see a woman beaten. Although he would sometimes lose control when he was in drink or took the Chryallis drugs. Always he called for you and he agonized over you. He was a man in love. This we knew. Some of us hoped to win his love, but he always clung to you. He defied his father many times over you. Zarkon nearly had him killed because he would not give you up."
Allura never knew this. She was touched and then thinking of him, back there on Canesian - dead - caused the tears to flow down her cheeks. The slave brushing her hair said, "Please, mistress! Do not cry!You must be perfect for our new lord!"
Allura replied bitterly, "Perfect for a monster,you mean."
The slave said worriedly, "Please,mistress,you must cooperate with him. Just do as he says and perhaps he will not be so brutal with you."
Allura said, "You speak as if from experience."
The slave dropped her head for a moment "I was a bedwench of Zarkon's once. I was lucky I survived.You must be brave, my lady."
Allura trembled with fear. If anything, Devonn seemed to be much worse than Zarkon. Oh god, she didn't want this! She was afraid, so afraid! She shook and suddenly, a voice came into her mind telling to be brave, that he was coming to save her. She calmed down and closed her eyes.
She thought..oh Lotor...please help me..whereever you are...
Suddenly she seemed to go into a trance. Allura murmured..
"Oh why did I have to love him? Why him?"
The female slaves stopped for a moment as if saddened by what she said. She loved the Prince? Oh, how tragic! The slaves looked upon Allura with pity. There was enough tragedy in this place of Hell, and now this. Tears were in each of the slaves as they continued to tend to her. Allura closed her eyes, not realizing what she had said.
The slave brushing her hair gathered it up and pulled it into a high upsweep. The other slaves helped her out of the bath and gently dried her off. Allura thought grimly that this would be the last gentle handling she would have tonight or ever.
She was soon dressed in a sheer gown and a dainty crown was placed upon her head. Allura wanted to fling it out into the cosmos. The female slaves put the crowning touches upon her. She looked into the mirror and thought that she looked like a bride ready to be with her groom, but she was not. She would never consider herself Devonn's bride.She closed her eyes and she wished an impossible wish. She pictured Lotor in her mind and she opened her eyes to face the mirror. She was in a trance and noticed nothing but his image in the mirror.
She said softly, "Come to me, my love. Take over his body so that I may know your love just once."
She stretched her arms out as if to beckon him - her dead lover. It seemed as if she stood there gazing at him forever. She closed her eyes and smiled. Surely he heard her. Surely he would come. Then she opened her eyes. She was no longer where she was before.
Her trance faded and she found herself upon a dais - facing Devonn, who sat upon his throne, an evil smile upon his face.
She shook her head to clear and Devonn said, "Ah, my Queen, you look so lovely this evening."
Devonn arose, took her hand palm up and kissed it,nipping it with his teeth. He saw her grim look and said, "Why, my dear.you must give me a better face than that!"
He slapped her face lightly. He hissed, "Why all your friends on Arus and Galaxy Garrison are watching us!"
Allura gasped. "No."
Devonn smiled wolfishly and said,"Oh yes. I want them to witness your degredation into my whore-bride..."
Allura cut him off with a scream. "NO!! I won't! You're not my husband! You'll never be my husband! Lotor is my husband - in life and in death!! You are not and NEVER will be!!"
She started to sob. "Lotor was more of a man that you could ever hope to be!!"
Devonn moved towards her, a menancing look upon his face. "You will regret your rash words, Allura..you will know what kind of man I am and you will be grateful for it!!"
Allura continued to back away as Devonn came towards her. He smirked. She could not get away. As she backed up, she glanced quickly at a window.
Suddenly, her eyes were aglow with hope.
Devonn frowned. He did not like her expression.
Allura climbed up on the ledge and smiled slightly. She said seductively, "Come to me, Devonn.Come to me if you dare!"
Devonn was both intrigued and enraged at her audacity. He charged at her with a yell, and as he placed his hands upon her, her long ago training by Keith kicked in and she flung him over the edge.
As Devonn fell, she screamed, "Die,you beast! Die! I avenge my husband's death!"
Suddenly, he had disappeared! She whipped her head around and saw Hagar place Devonn upon the dais in front of her!
Devonn said, "Thank you, witch..you will be rewarded for this."
Hagar cackled and withdrew into the shadows.
Allura screamed, "No!!"
Devonn reached for her and lifted her up by her neck again, leaving her to dangle in the air again.
He screamed in her face. "Traitorous wench! I will break you!" He flung her down hard upon the floor, where she hit her head.
Her head spun as Devonn bent towards her and said, "Your friends on Arus will suffer for your traitorous act!"
Despite her spinning head, she said, "Kill me then."
Devonn still angry,jealous of Lotor, even in death, said,"No! You will not escape me so easily!" He jerked her up by the low neck on her gown and said, "You will show me the same desire you showed with your dead husband, my lady! I swear you will!"
Letting her go, Allura hit the floor again, and mercifully, blackness overtook her.
Coran and the rest of the Voltron Force watched in amazement as the small sleek ship distingrated the robeast.
Hunk whistled and said, "Whoda ever thought a small ship could do that?"
Coran said, "Phoenix Rising is a one of a kind ship, it was made by a race of technologically advanced people who are no more.Look! They're landing!" Coran punched up Castle Security on the com. "Let the pilot pass in the name of Her Highness,Princess Allura!"
Keith grabbed his arm and said, "Coran! You don't know who that is!"
Coran said, "Keith , I know this is hard to believe, but I have a feeling that I should do this.Allura would have done the same."
At the mention of Allura's name, Keith said, "All right, Coran..what you say goes - I just hope you're right."
A few moments later, a lone figure came out of the ship, his features covered in shadow, but the azure hue of his face was visible.
As the figure escorted by a guard came into Castle Control, Coran gasped, "Raull,you're alive...but..."
Then the figure removed his hood and said, "No, I am not my father Raull. However I am pleased that you have mistaken me for him."
Keith flared, "Lotor! What are you doing here?"
Lotor cocked an eyebrow and said, "My, Akira! I destroy a robeast for you and still you greet me thusly?"
Lance said, "Hey, can ya blame him?"
Lotor frowned, "I have not come to discuss the past. I have come to ask for your help."
Hunk exclaimed, "You want our help?"
Lotor smirked and said, "Hm..there appears to be an echo in here."
Coran, still in shock that Lotor was actually here said, "The Castle of Lions refuses no one - even you, Prince Lotor. However,we were told you were executed."
Lotor said, "Well, they did try. Trust me, I am very much alive."
Suddenly Lotor's face lost it's sardonic look and he said, "Prime Minister, you seemed to have known my father - not Zarkon, but Raull. He is my true father. My mother was pregnant with me when she was captured by Zarkon.
The same fate awaits Allura if I do not rescue her. I need the help of Voltron to defeat Devonn! You must help me!"
All were shocked. They knew that Lotor had always claimed to love the princess, but all this? Lotor not Zarkon's son? Lotor's eyes pleaded with Coran's. "Please, I am begging you all - and I have never begged for anything. in my entire life. You must help me rescue her. As for Devonn, I will kill him."
Before anyone could speak another word, the vidcom came on again, showing the throne room of Doom - now Devonn's. As before, they were unable to shut the communications off.
Lotor saw in horror, as a guard led Allura to a dais in front of Devonn. They saw all that transpired. Before their horrified eyes, they saw Allura throw Devonn over the window and they saw his miraculous return by Hagar. Lotor's fists clenched with rage as he saw Devonn hurt Allura again. He had to rescue her! If they would not help him, he would go alone. As the transmission cut off again, Lotor banged his fist upon the console and cursed. "Damn his soul to hell! He will pay!"
Lotor's eyes blazed with anger. "Well? Will you help me? If you do not, I will go myself. If I have to die to keep her from him, I will!"
Suddenly the comm beeped and Coran said, "An incoming message from Canesia!"
The image on the vidcom was of a high ranking officer. The officer said, "Ah, I request to speak with his majesty, King Lotor.It is urgent."
Coran turned to Lotor and said, "It is for you."
Lotor could see all the questions in their eyes and a little distrust. He didn't care. Lotor went to the comm and said, "This is Lotor."
The officer said, "I am Pasqu'all. Commander of the Royal Guard. I served under your father, King Raull. We traced your ship's signal to Arus, your majesty." The officer paled a little and said, "Canesia is no longer in our galaxy, but orbiting Arus, according to the scientists here. We have suffered no ill effects so far."
Lotor interupted him and said, "What does this have to do with me?"
Pasqu'all said, "Sire, please forgive me, it is shock to us to be swept into another galaxy! Sire, I have contacted you to say that we of the Royal Guard are sworn to follow the son and heir of King Raull. Prince Devonn is not his heir-" Pasqu'all paused and said, "We saw the transmission from that cursed planet Doom. All did. We are ready to throw over the yoke of Devonn. Give us your command and we will follow it, Your Majesty."
The Voltron Force and Coran stood there in shock. This was proof that Lotor was indeed the son of Raull. If a whole planet was behind him, then it must be so. By the look on Lotor's face, he was taken aback as well. Lotor briefly turned to Coran and said, "You said that Devonn is holding your GG officers hostage?" Coran nodded, "Yes. We could not risk sending Voltron for fear of losing the entire Garrison leadership.It would be disasterous for all."
Lotor said, "Then I propose to send my Royal Guards..wait.." Lotor turned to Pasqu'all and said, "How many are in the Royal Guard, Commander Pasqu'all? I have no inclination to send in weak forces. The Commander said, "The Royal Guard is an army unto itself, Your Majesty. The fleet number varies, but we have a standing compliment of two thousand men and women."
Lotor inquired further, "Hmm..and the fleet Devonn sent out?"
Pasqu'all said, "That would be the Seventh Fleet, sire. Standing compliment of five hundred men."
Lotor turned to Coran. "Well, will that do?"
Coran was ready to say yes when Keith said, "No. wait. Voltron should go to the GG headquarters and free them first."
Lotor said, "While I rescue Princess Allura, flyboy? Looks like you've been hitting your Boy Scout manual.It doesn't matter. I can order the Royal Guard to follow me to Doom."
Keith ignored Lotor's verbal jibe and said, "When Voltron is done at GG headquarters, we can meet you on Doom." Keith couldn't quite believe he was actually helping Prince Lotor, of all people. But everything had changed in an instant. The main thing was get Allura away from Devonn. The rest would work itself out.
Then Keith thought, if he would die for her perhaps he would leave her alone. Lotor had caused Allura enough pain. Allura would be happy if she knew Lotor would at last leave her alone. This would be the right thing to do.
Keith said, "Lotor, wait..if we help you, you must swear upon your parents that you will never bother Allura again. You've caused her nothing but pain. She deserves some happiness, Lotor."
Lotor visibly paled and said, "You mean that, don't you, Akira?"
Keith nodded. Lotor sighed and thought that perhaps it would be better if he left Allura alone. Allura did derserve happiness. He had only given her pain and sorrow. He was a destroyer. It didn't matter that he wasn't the son of Zarkon anymore. He had much sin upon him. She didn't deserve that. She deserved someone who was her equal in honor. She was worth everything to him, but if it was fated that he live without her, so be it. He needed their help.
Lotor sighed deeply and said, "All right, Akira.I agree.If you help me, I will leave Allura alone. I swear this upon my parents."
Keith nodded and said, "Agreed."
Lotor turned to the comm and said to Commander Pasqu'all, "Commander, you will order the Royal Fleet to accompany my ship to Doom. I will give you the coordinates." The Commander quicked went tohis task.
Keith turned to the other Voltron Force members and said, "Well, guys. You know the drill!" He turned to Sven, "You ready? Been a long time."
Sven said, "Doesn't matter..let's goot!"
Keith said, "All right, you heard the man, let's get to the Lions!!"
"GO VOLTRON FORCE!"
