(Note: This chapter does contain adult situations and violence.)

Malice In The Palace

Enroute to the Castle of Lions, Allura flew the Blue Lion. Sitting beside her in the jump seat was Zarkon. His son, Lotor,bound with special manacles sat on the floor, unable to move due to the stun ray that had been used upon him. Allura was silent, for she did not wish to speak with her captor, who occasionally stole looks her way. She shuddered. She hoped he did not really mean what he said back at Lotor's hideout about needing another heir. She would rather have him kill her than to have to bear his childen.

Zarkon leaned back and stretched. He said, "Ah, we should be almost there, shouldn't we, princess?" Allura didn't say anything. Zarkon turned to her and said, "I asked you a question, Allura..if you don't want to see Lotor's brains splattered in your ship, you will give me a civil answer."

Allura sighed and said, "Yes, Zarkon,we're nearly there."

Zarkon smiled and said, "Good, it will be good to get home."

Allura thought angrily,..I'll see you dead before you call Arus home!!

As she saw the familar blue and green ball of Arus, she silently prayed to the spirit of her father to help them - all of them. They were all in danger. Not just Arus, but the entire Galaxy. She prayed and she thought she heard a whisper in her mind.

Daughter, I will come to your aid..be brave! She looked straight ahead, ignoring Zarkon's pointed glance at her.

They landed in Blue Lion's place beneath Castle Lake. As soon as Blue Lion was secured, Allura waited for the hatch to open to admit them into the Castle of Lions. Zarkon reached over and grabbed her arm roughly.

Lotor was awake now and tried to get up but Zarkon yelled at him. "You better stay put,boy, or I'll snap her neck!"

Lotor stilled himself although in his heart he wanted to throttle his father with his bionic arm. He could snap him like a twig. But Allura was in danger, and for now, he had to do what the monster demanded of him.

Zarkon smiled and then turned back to Allura. "Now, my dear Princess, you will be good and you will say nothing. You will act like I'm your savior, understand?"

She nodded,hate in her eyes.

Zarkon laughed and slapped her face lightly. He said words that chilled her. "My heir will benefit from your spirit and your intelligence - this time I have chosen well." Allura felt like she was going to be sick.

He turned to Lotor and said, "When our child arrives, I will send you a birth announcement!"

Lotor screamed in rage!

Zarkon said, "Don't try it, Lotor! Her life is in your hands! Now lets go! Lotor, get up!"

Lotor got up and Zarkon was immediately behind him. Zarkon said, "Remember, Lotor - Hagar still has the spell upon you." He turned to Allura and said, "Remember that too, my dear..get up and walk beside me." Allura grimaced and they all got out of her lion. Zarkon took Lotor's arm and said to Allura, "Now, my dear, you will walk beside me - like we're such good and trusted friends." She hesistated and he hissed, "You will obey me!" She moved beside him and he said, "Good, let us go."

They walked into Castle Control where Coran and the rest of the VF were. Coran gasped, "Princess! you're safe! Zarkon, what is going on? We've got GG troops everywhere."

Everyone bolted up and they saw Zarkon leading a cuffed Lotor.

Keith said, "You caught Lotor, Zarkon? I'm - impressed." This he said in a flat voice.

Zarkon smiled and said, "Ah, well- the troops are here for your protection, I'm told. As for Lotor, yes, I found his hideaway. I rescued Allura before he could do anything."

Allura's eyes flashed and she yelled, "Keith! It's a trap! Hagar's outside! She's going to release robeasts upon Arus! Zarkon's been faking all along!!"

Suddenly, the castle shook and a roar was heard.

The VF reacted quickly and ran to the lions. In the confusion, Zarkon yelled at Allura. "You little - !! " He grabbed her and she kneed him in the groin, causing him to double over.

She yelled at Lotor, "Come on!" He ran after her as she headed for the chute that would take her to Blue Lion. She and Lotor grabbed for the bar, although it was difficult for Lotor's cuffed hands. Allura grabbed the bar with her right hand, when suddenly she screamed! Lotor looked over. She was gone!

"Allura!" he yelled. He whipped his head around and saw his father had grabbed her. Allura yelled, "Lotor, you must fly Blue Lion and save Arus! --aahhhgghh!!!" His father had jerked her back. Lotor heard his father say, "That wasn't a smart thing TO DO, ALLURA!! "

Lotor heard a thump as his father threw her against a wall. Lotor screamed again, "Allura!" but the bar took him quickly forward away from her and pulled him into Blue Lion. He had to get back to her but she also wanted him to save Arus. Suddenly he looked down and saw himself in a VF uniform of black and white, a helmet covering his head.

He thought..what sort of magic is this?

He looked quickly at the breast of the uniform and found a key. He removed it and placed it in it's slot. The lion to his suprise, roared to life. He looked down at his cuffed wrists and knew he could not steer the ship that way. Using his inhuman strength, he let his rage go. He thought of his father - what he had done to him and what he had threatened- and broke his restraining cuffs. Lotor quickly turned off the video monitor for he did not want them to know he was there. He heard Akira's voice over the comm, "Okay guys! You know the drill! Let's get at those robeasts!"
The five lions flew, weapons blazing. Keith noticed that Allura was flying aggressively, not like herself at all. Still she executed the lion's moves perfectly and aimed her weapons exactly at her targets. Suddenly, Blue Lion fired upon the robeast, and her missiles deflected off the robeasts hard shell, sending it flying into the cruiser that Hagar was in. The ship exploded in the sky, sending debris everywhere! The lions all manuvered away from the explosion.

As the ship exploded, Lotor gasped as he felt the grip upon his head loosen. The spell was broken. Either the witch was dead, or she had left and released her hold upon him. Suddenly the robeasts, as if on command, starting firing upon him!! Lotor fought their fire aggressively. Keith then realized that that wasn't Allura in there, it was Lotor! They had to get him out of there! Keith relayed through each comm and informed the others that it was Lotor who flew Blue Lion.

He ordered,"Fire upon Blue Lion, Lotor's in there!!"

But how? Keith thought to himself.The Lion must accept - no way!

The VF fired upon Blue Lion. Between the robeasts and the VF, Lotor was in a tight spot.

Zarkon stood over Allura, anger in his face. She had the stubborness of her father! She would learn to obey him! He left her for a moment and watched the video screen in Castle Control. Suddenly, he saw Blue Lion hit the cruiser that carried Hagar. Zarkon screamed in rage, "No!!! Damn him!!!" Zarkon hit the the console in rage and then he smiled. He knew how to get them back!

Coran saw Zarkon standing over the unconscious princess. He had to get her away from him! He waited and then as Zarkon went over to watch the battle onscreen, he quickly made his move. He lifted Allura in his arms quickly. Fortunately, she did not make a sound. Coran had to hurry. He knew where they would be safe for the moment.He headed for the royal tombs that were below the castle.

Zarkon punched the comm button and said, "Voltron Force! By now ,I'm sure you know that the person flying Blue Lion is not the princess, but my 'former' son, Lotor! The Princess and Coran are here with me! If you do not stand down now, I will destroy the castle with Allura and the prime minister in it! Do you wish to risk it?" As Zarkon said this, the other lions stopped firing upon Lotor, who now fought the robeasts.

Lotor came on and said, "You heard him, Akira! Stand down! I won't risk Allura's life!"

Keith yelled, "Shut up, Lotor! She's our friend! You think we'd abandon her? Team, we're standing down.Zarkon, we'll do as you say for now,but Amalgamus -"

Lotor interupted him and said, "Amalgamus works for him, Akira!" Keith said, "What?"

Zarkon came on again and laughed, "That's right,Captain Keith! Amalgamus has always been mine! Hagar made him! Now, you will stand down and surrender to the GG troops down below!!"

Keith looked and saw to his suprise, GG troops down below, their Doom-made laser rifles set on them. Although one rifle could not harm the lions, the many rifles and cannonloaders down there could. Keith gave the order, "Guys,go down." They landed and as Keith looked closely at the GG troops, he saw that they were not human - but Doom robots!!

Zarkon's voice came over the comm again, "Now, Akira, you will each stand by your lion. That goes for you too, my metal-headed son!"

They all came out and stood by their lions. The guards immediately stunned them. Lotor saw all of them go down. Then he felt the stun gun upon him. As he hit the ground, he passed out, but a few moments later, he came to. Then he remembered. When he was in prison, they had always had to use a high setting of stun on him to restrain him. Evidently the guards used a stun beam that would be set for a human. He knew what he had to do. He needed to get into the castle and save Allura.

Zarkon smiled and knew his victory was at hand. He turned and went to see if the Princess had come to. She was gone! His face darkened in rage. How dare she elude him? Perhaps the prime minister took her. Well, he would be punished too. Zarkon quickly checked the monitor on what was happening outside the Castle.

Good. All of the remaining Voltron Force were stunned,including Lotor.

Zarkon barked an order, "When they come to,hold them and restrain them! I want them to fight the robeasts!!"

Now to look for the elusive princess...

Zarkon thought for a moment. Where would they go? Then he smiled. Where would one go, if one didn't want to be found by the living?
In the place of the dead of course! zarkon made his way towards the tombs.

Lotor waited a few moments. The guards did not seem to be watching them,but busy with placing battlements and weaponry near the castle.

Lotor thoughtMy father does plan on making this planet another Doom..not if I can help it!..

Lotor was thankful for the black and white uniform he wore. It was similar to the gray and white ones the guards wore. Lotor knew he had to go, but first, he checked the others nearby. They were ok, they would come to soon. Hopefully they would have the sense enough to come to the castle. Lotor knew though, that they would.

Although he hated Akira, he did respect him as a warrior and as a man with intelligence, for a human. He was a good leader although Lotor would never tell him that to his face! Lotor quickly went back to Blue Lion and watched for a break in the mass of guards near the castle. As soon as there was one, he would make his move.

The Royal Tombs

Coran was alert, listening for footsteps. It was hard though,for the tombs echoed sounds and made one hear things. His blaster was ready. His face was grim as he looked at the Princess lying there so quietly. Coran had placed her on top of her father's tomb. He knew that it was unusual and not proper, but he did not want her on the floor, for it was damp and drafty. He knew she was injured. He had seen Zarkon throw her against the wall. Coran had wanted to kill him then. Now, perhaps he'd have his chance.

He heard footsteps approach, but the sound echoed and he did not know where they came from. Coran's hair stood on end. He knew Zarkon was here. He could sense his evil prescence. Suddenly, Coran was hit from behind. He staggered and whipped around, his blaster out. He faced a grinning Zarkon.

Zarkon said, "So, you did take her out, didn't you, prime minister?"

Coran snapped, "To keep her from you? Yes! I will die to defend her!"

Zarkon grinned and said, "Then perhaps you'll get your wish, FOOL!!!" Zarkon whipped out a long sword and Coran fired upon him. Zarkon's sword deflected the bolt and came down hard upon Coran's shoulder. Coran moaned and went down, dropping his blaster.

Zarkon frowned. "You're not much of a challenge, prime minister!"

Allura started to stir when she heard the noise. She was lying on something cold - her father's tomb! She shook her head to clear it and then she looked and saw Coran go down. When Zarkon took his sword and slammed it into Coran's chest, she screamed in horror. "Nooo!!! Coran!" She saw Coran's eyes widen and then close.

Allura screamed again as Zarkon whipped around to face her. She yelled, "You killed him!" Zarkon grinned evily and said, "Why of course, your father died the same way!"
He dropped his sword and came towards her. Despite the pain in her head, she scrambled away and glanced quickly at Coran. Allura grabbed his forgotten blaster and aimed it at Zarkon, which was difficult for her eyes kept seeing two of him.

She yelled, "Murderer!"

Zarkon frowned and said, "You don't want to do that, do you, Princess?"

Allura bit back, "To get rid of you..YES!!"

She fired and missed as Zarkon tackled her to the ground. He slapped the blaster out of her hand, and growled, "I will tolerate no more resistance from you, Allura! None, do you hear me?"

She said, "I will resist you as my father did -"

Zarkon cut her off, yelling in her face and shaking her. "Your father was a FOOL!! Resisting the eneveitable. If he had given in, he would have still ruled Arus!"

Allura spat, "Yeah,for you!!"

He grinned evily and said, "Yess..for ME, little fool! I worked for years to gain what I had and your father nearly ruined it all with that robot and you - you ruined it all because you ruined my son and heir!!"

Allura looked at his face in shock and said, "I did nothing to Lotor! You - "

Zarkon, enraged, slapped her face and yelled, "Yes, you did, princess..If you had given in at the first instead of calling those damnable space explorers, Lotor wouldn't have chased you and been distracted. Don't you know that forbidden fruits are the sweetest? You ruined him and now you owe me!!"

Allura yelled, "I owe you nothing!! You killed my father! You tried to destroy my world, my friends - and all because you're a greedy, grasping TYRANT!!!"

Allura raised her hands to hit him and Zarkon slapped her again. Between her head hurting and Zarkon hitting her, Allura was stunned.

Zarkon grinned down at her and said, "A tyrant I may be, but I will rule again and you will give me a new heir!"

Allura yelled, "No, I will not!"

Zarkon snarled, "You have no choice, woman! You will obey me!"

His strong hands ripped at her clothing as she screamed, "Noo!!" She fought him and he seemed to relish the fight. He slapped her several times yelling, "You will obey your new master, Allura!"

She screamed as his terrible mouth came down upon hers, his sharp teeth cutting her lower lip. His hands were on her, and her head swam. She couldn't fight him. He would take her and she would die..
His tongue invaded her mouth and his rough hands were touching her skin. Allura closed her eyes in revulsion as Zarkon laughed and said, "I wish Alfor were here to see this!" He looked down at her face and said, "Think of it, princess, the great and noble Alfor's grandson our child!!"

Allura murmured, "Father, help me, oh help me.."

Zarkon cut her off with another kiss and said, "He cannot help you now, Allura, you're mine - my slave!"

She sobbed as he continued to assult her. Allura had lost all hope when an errie bright light came into the room and a voice thundered in rage.

Lotor ran though the castle when he heard her scream! He thought, ..Allura!..and ran, his cybernetic leg boosting his own natural energy and speed. He could hear the sounds of a struggle as he neared the lower levels of the castle. The sounds echoed and it was hard to distiguish where it was coming from, but then he rounded a corner and saw his father trying to rape Allura! Before he could make a move, a bright unearthly light filled the room and a voice came out of nowhere.

..My enemy Zarkon defiles my daughter!! Zarkon suddenly backed away from Allura and looked around.

"Who's there?" he yelled. Suddenly Zarkon saw who it was - Alfor in blinding white above the tomb where Allura had lain. Zarkon backed away, fear in his eyes. He said, "You're dead, I killed you!"

The ghostly Alfor said, "You have defiled my home, my daughter, creature of evil..you will pay for the evil you have brought on others."

Zarkon snarled,grabbed his sword and yelled,"STAY DEAD!" Zarkon swiped at Alfor's image and the sword went though him. Zarkon paled. Alfor came nearer as he backed away.

As Lotor saw what appeared to be a ghost battling his father, he saw Allura moan and try to crawl away. She fainted and as she did, he caught her. He was half-afraid that the ghost would attack him, but as he gently pulled Allura away, the ghost seemed to glance at him and nod as if in acceptance. Allura's eye's fluttered open briefly and she said, "Father..you came..."

Lotor thought, ..father? .. Then he looked quickly at the bright image and did see the resemblance between his Princess and the ghostly Alfor. Lotor glanced at the prime minister, who laid there beside the tomb. Lotor thought that he must have been defending Allura. He thought that she had always been fortunate in the picking of her friends,they defended her. Perhaps it was time he did too.

He held Allura's head in his lap and he felt her pulse. It was faint.

No..she's dying!! He said, "Allura, don't die!"

Her eyes opened and she said, "Lotor?'

He held her up so as not to see his metallic face. "Yes, Allura, it's me."

She said, "Lotor..I'm dying..I need you to defend Arus, please." Lotor wanted to die in her place!

He said, "Allura..don't..please."

She moved her head back and to his dismay, looked at his hideous face. Weakly, she placed her hand upon it, and said, "Promise me you wil save Arus..promise me and I will die happy..."

Lotor felt his heart breaking. He said, "Yes, I promise you..I will defend Arus..I will save your world..oh god..Allura! "

She smiled faintly and said, "Good, form Voltron...Lotor..? " Her eyes started to flutter close.

He said gently, "Yes, my sweet.."

She was barely conscious now. "I love - love you ..." and then she passed out.

Lotor held her tightly. His heart hurt so badly. She was dead or very close to it. He wanted to follow her in death, but he had promised her. It was important that he keep it. Then after that, he would follow her in death. He gently laid her down and placed a soft kiss upon her cheek and left her.

He bolted to the stairs and ran up them, taking them two at a time.He met Akira who said, "Where's Allura? "

Lotor yelled, "She's safe from my father, Akira - she said to defend Arus!" ,P. Keith was about to argue the point when they both heard the roars of the robeasts shaking the castle. Keith said, "Okay, Lotor..you're right! Let's go!!"

They ran out, meeting the other VF members who swiftly ran to the lions. Lotor, using his inhuman cybernetics was able to take out many of the guards with ease. The others were up in the air when he leaped into Blue Lion's cockpit. As he flew upwards, he said, "I promise you, my love. I will defend Arus for you - and kill my father for what he's done!"

Lotor did not know he had his comm on. Keith and the other VF members knew now that Lotor truly did love Allura. He would keep his promise to her. He would defend Arus for her.

Keith gave the order to form Voltron, and as the lions went into formation, Lotor thought how ironic it was that he was in the machine that he had wrongly blamed for his disfigurement. He hoped that Alfor's spirit would destroy his father at last - if Alfor didn't, HE would.

He heard Keith say, "Dynotherms connected..."

Somehow Blue Lion helped Lotor to get into position. The Lion accepted him And Voltron was formed.

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