Disclaimer: All characters from Voltron: The Third Dimension are copyrighted 1998 by WEP and Netter Inc.
One:Man Behind The Metal
Dharkwynd Castle:
Lotor paced the floor of his secret palace nestled in the gloomy mountains on the far side of the moon of Eurydis. Eurydis was a planet of thieves,smugglers and the like. He felt he fit in well here. His eye-his real eye glanced about the room which was in disarray, as it always was.
He thought..if she were here.it would be different..
He sighed and touched his partially metallic face. She didn't want him before when he was whole and handsome, why would she want him now? Still, he loved her and wanted her with him. He remembered her look of pity in the prison when they all came to visit him-even his destestible father! He remembered that he couldn't believe that his father had become one of the most respected men in the galaxy. Of course, Lotor knew-he knew his father had not truly changed his ways. He was cunning, his father was.
He had told Lotor once long ago, "Know your enemy.."
After all those years of openly attacking the Alliance, his father had joined them, at least outwardly. Lotor smiled, a ghost of his former smirk. His father would take the Alliance from within. He would do it slowly and painlessly. When he did, the Alliance wouldn't know what hit them.
Still, it wasn't his father that always bothered him. It was Voltron. That robot was the cause of his present circumstances. He hated Voltron and he hated the Voltron Force-all except one. Allura. She had been the most kind of the envoys that had visited him in prison. He remembered when she had held his hand-his real hand in hers. He had felt a thrill in feeling her warm hand in his. Although he was now a man behind metal, he wasn't all metal parts. He was still a man, even if he did look like a hideous monster.
Lotor walked over to a table and flung a vase against the far wall with his bionic arm. It went through the wall, leaving a hole in the plaster. Lotor ground his teeth in frustration. Again, Voltron foiled him again and again. Why? Was he cursed? Cursed with nothing but defeat and this horrible body he was in? He looked at his reflection in the shards of a broken mirror and screamed in rage. He jerked the mirror off and flung it aside. He did not allow mirrors anywhere he was at. He couldn't bear to see his face anymore. No doubt Allura found it hard to look upon him too. He was surprised when she looked upon his face and did not flinch. She was brave. She always had been.
Lotor sighed heavily and gazed around the room again with his good eye. He didn't like looking through his bionic eye. Nothing looked the same-just as things didn't feel the same whenever he touched them with his artificial hand. At least he wasn't all metal, not that it mattered anymore. He was cursed to a life of loneliness, and that was worse than death.
He sat down in one of the overstuffed chairs and thought back at how Allura had pleaded with him to cooperate with them. He nearly gave in, but in the end, he had refused. He didn't want to help Voltron or the Alliance. It was Voltron that did this to him. Ruined his life.He would destroy them all-all except his Allura, his only love. She could make his life bearable.
His thoughts were interrupted by Hagar, his father's former witch, now in hiding with him. "Lotor..are you depressed again?"
"Hagar, go away..I don't need your comments."
Hagar moved towards him despite what he said. Lotor still thought she was just as hideous as ever. Of course who was he to talk..he was no better.
Hagar pointed at him and said, "You're thinking about Princess Allura again, aren't you, Lotor?"
Lotor looked at her and sighed, "Yes,now leave me!"
Hagar walked around him and said, "What if I were to tell you I have found a way to restore your former form and gain the Princess?"
Lotor leaned forward with interest and said, "This better not be a trick, Hagar..or I will turn you in!"
Hagar scornfully looked at him."Like you really could, Lotor! You would fall as well,and next time, they'll make sure you never get out!! Heehee!!"
Lotor scowled at her and said, "Tell me, Hagar, what you can do."
Hagar said, "I have a transmutation spell that can change you temporarily back to your former self. You would be knitted back together-although it is painful at first. To make the spell permanent, you must gain the love of one person-by natural means, not magic. Only one-then the spell is permanent."
Hagar scowled and said, "Those Alliance fools are barbarians!If I didn't know any better,I'd swear your father arranged them to butcher you."
Lotor looked at Hagar and said, "I was dying, Hagar-and you were nowhere to be found!"
The old witch cackled and said, "What did you expect? I wasn't about to stay put, not after what I did to the Princess!"
Lotor interrupted her, "Yes, I remember what you did, Hagar. If she had died.."
Hagar said, "But she didn't,did she? No, her friends ruined everything! Destroyed Doom, your father, everything!"
Then she smiled evily, "I don't believe your father has changed-not a bit..he's just changed tactics.."
Lotor got up and said, "Hagar,I don't want to talk about my fool father! Tell me about how I can get Allura to even come here alone! Her friends guard her well - since their return to Arus."
Hagar looked contempously at Lotor and said,"When those fools stiched you together, Lotor, they forgot to put your brains back!"
Lotor yelled and shook his fist at Hagar. "Shut up, old witch,and tell me NOW!"
Hagar simply backed away and said, "Don't threaten me, Lotor! Not if you want Allura and your handsome form back!"
Lotor backed away and put his hand down.
She said, "That's better..now, I have the spell. It is already mixed up. All you have to do is drink it. However, the effects are temporary. You will keep changing back and forth from form to form until you have gained your loved one's heart."
Lotor said, "And how do I get her here, fool witch?"
Hagar cackled and said, "Why, give them what they want!"
"What do you mean old witch?"Lotor demanded.
Hagar rolled her eyes and said, "You're as dense as your father! Send her a private message. Tell her you have changed your mind - that you will give the location of the Fortress - fake ones that is - but that you will give them only to her. Make it a stipulation. Her friends will come of course, but I can take care of them."
Lotor said, "You better be right, witch.Why are you doing this anyway? Surely it isn't gratitude that I took you in, is it?"
"No..in this broken down place? Hmmph! I do this because if you have Allura,and the VF is disabled, your father will finally make his move.I have forseen it. They think him the good and kind Zarkon, repentant of his evil, but he is not! And when he makes his move, the whole Alliance will fall, and once again,King Zarkon will rule the galaxy and I, Hagar will be by his side as Queen!"
Lotor grumbled., "I don't think I would want my father back."
Hagar scoffed. "Hmmph! Tell me, Lotor, isn't is worth it to have your Princess in your arms? Your flesh and blood arms?"
Lotor looked down at himself ahd flexed his real arm. He thought..yes..to hold her in my arms,feeling the warmth of another...knowing that she loves me...that would be worth anything...
He said, "Hagar,I agree. She is worth everything."
Allura received the private message at the Castle of Lions. It had arrived just before dinner,but she went ahead and waited until after dinner to read it. Getting away from the rest of the guys, she went into her garden. As she walked into the blooming garden, she thought about the last three years. How everything had changed for the better. Since Zarkon had changed his ways,there was relative peace in the Galaxy. Arus and other planets were able to rebuild and reorganize their governments. Zarkon had done this as well to everyone's suprise. Even after three years, she could not get used to Zarkon being in the Alliance.
Still anyone could change, even Lotor,if he wanted to.
She sighed. He was so bitter. Who could blame him? He had been so handsome, full of life, and now, he was a mass of metal parts. When she saw him in that prison, she had felt so badly for him, even though he had done so much harm to them in the past. She had held his hand, and she could see the surprise and then the love for her in his natural eye. He was still a man, despite the metal that covered his face.
She shook her head sadly. Now he was worse than ever. He fought and tried to defeat Voltron every chance he could get. He was ruthless. If he kept going the way he was, he would be as cold as the metal that covered him. The only thing that seemed to move him was her. If only they could just end this terrible conflict! But she knew he would never tell the location of his fortress, and he would never stop trying to destroy Voltron. He would only wind up in prison again-not unless some miracle happened and he changed.
She sat down on her favorite bench and opened the sealed message. She gasped. It was from Lotor. It read:
Princess Allura:
I have reconsidered your proposal.I will disclose the location of the Fortress. However,I require you to come alone.This is my stipulation. I do not want my father or any of the VF team with you. I do not wish to see them. You are the only one who was brave enough to face me and you showed kindness to me.If you agree, meet me at the bazaar on the moon of Eurydis. Take two escorts (not of the VF) to guard you if you so desire. I will send an envoy for you, as I would be recognized. If you accept, contact my envoy at this frequency: AuBeta 2 encoded - before you arrive.
I hope that you will agree to this meeting.
Lotor.
Allura was suprised. Did what she kept trying to tell him come through at last? Was he seeing how futile it was to keep fighting so? She didn't know. She only knew that this was the first breakthrough they had had in a while.And yet, it could probably be a trap. She knew he would not harm her, and she knew he hadn't mentioned marrying her since the explosion of his ship three years ago. He had given up on that, thinking that she found him hideous. His face was hard to get used to, but she was accustomed to looking at people from the inside.
She had seen the good in Hagar during the final battle with Doom three years ago, and she could see the glimmer of good in him. Perhaps she had finally reached him.
Keith came through briefly, on his way to bed. She hastily hid the message from him. He would be angry if he saw it. Although he was Chief of the EC, he was still on Arus quite a lot, overseeing the renewal of Arus' ecosystems. After all the years of constant war, Arus' countryside had been devestated. It had just now become what it had been in her father's day-rich and plentiful.
After he left, Allura reread the message. Should she take a chance and go alone or should she tell the others? If they knew, they wouldn't let her go. If she didn't go, then this fighting would never end. It could be a trap, but maybe not. She didn't know what to do. She got up and went to bed, feeling confused. She wanted to do the right thing, but it was hard sometimes even after all these years after her father's death. There were times when she felt unsure that she was a good ruler-that she was as fair, and as just as her father had been. She always felt as if she were trying to fill her father's shoes, and failing miserably.
She went to sleep and dreamed. At first her dreams were ot the past-of Zarkon, when he was King of Doom, and a menance to the whole galaxy. Then she dreamed of Lotor as he was-handsome,strong and then he turned his face towards her-it was cold metal, but the eyes had a touch of human sadness in them. At the last of her dream, her father appeared as he always did, in blinding white, his long red cape swirling around him.
He said, "Daughter, yours is a special destiny-for you will heal the breech.
Father..what do you mean?)"
Allura..evil never completely dies...beware, for it is hidden behind a wall of respectabliity.
Father, why are you talking in riddles? I don't understand!
Daughter, you can heal the wounds of an enemy...
Alfor's image was fading.
Father, please don't go! I need you!
Goodbye, Allura..you will do the right thing...goodbye, my daughter.
Noo!!! Don't go!
Suddenly, she bolted upright in bed, tears streaming down her face as they always did when she dreamed of her father. She looked at her bedside chron, and saw it was early in the morning.
She had decided. She would go and meet him before anyone was up. She got up, dressed comfortably, and wrote a brief note. She would leave it on her bed where it could be seen. She knew that her bedroom would be the first place they would look for her.
Allura frowned as she placed the note upon the bed. Everyone would be very upset about this. Knowing them, they would be out there to Eurydis before she even got there! She had never been to the moon, but she had heard it was a dangerous place, with thieves and smugglers galore. Well,she could take care of herself,and she would be back quickly. Surely he would not keep her there, but just in case, this note would tell everyone where she was. Allura knew it was foolish to go, but someone had to try, they were getting nowhere fast. She placed the note on the bed and left the room quietly. She went to Castle Control and informed the guard there that she was going to do some practice manuvers in Blue Lion. The guard nodded and smiled. It was not unusual for the Princess to do this sometimes. Allura went into her chute to Blue Lion and before she knew it, she was airborne and plotting her starcharts for the moon of Eurydis.
At the same time Allura became airborne in Blue Lion, a figure in a dark cloak and cowl appeared in her bedroom. The figure looked around and spied the note on the bed. She smiled as she picked up the note in her hand. Secreting it in a deep hidden pocket, the figure cackled softly and disappeared into thin air as she had came.
Keith woke up a little late. He showered and dressed,feeling like if he just had a cup of coffee, he could get started. He yawned as he walked into the breakfast area. As usual, the guys were chowing down. Keith smiled. When he was back on Arus,it seemed like it was old times again. He missed being on Arus all the time, but his duties as Commander of the Enviromental Corps took him to many planets in the sector. Still, Arus was his favorite place. He looked around and didn't see Allura. He asked, "Where's the princess?"
Hunk mumbled, "ShmsdfynBllhn.." His mouth full of food.
Keith said, "What? Couldn't understand you, Hunk."
"He said, she's flying Blue Lion on manuvers.I think she's back though." Pidge replied, taking a drink of his milk.
Keith looked at Pidge. He had grown taller and had filled out in the last three years. He wasn't a boy anymore. His voice testified to that.
Lance leaned back and said, "Yeah, maybe she's in her bedroom fixing up. You know how women are."
Keith smirked and said, "If anyone would know, you would, Lance!"
Hunk laughed out loud, nearly choking on his food. Pidge pounded him on the back as he was coughing furiously. Lance gave Keith a mock angry look and said, "Look what you did, Keith! Serves ya right!"
Just then, Coran came into the room. "Have any of you seen the Princess? I have some papers she needs to look at."
Lance leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table and said, "No,but she'll be reeaally happy to see you, Coran - she hates paperwork!"
Pidge said teasingly, "Hey Lance, if Nanny were here,she'd bop you for putting your elbows on the table. "
Lance turned to the tall sixteen year old and said, "I'll bop you, Pidge!"
Coran interrupted him and said, "Well, if any of you see her, tell her she needs to read these.They're from Zarkon."
The guys were quiet for a moment. It had been three years,but it was still hard to think of Zarkon as an ally not an enemy. They still bore the slave mark that had been placed on their arms when he had captured them long ago. They knew that things had changed for the better, having Zarkon on their side, but still, it was hard to get used to-very hard.
Keith said, "Look, Coran..I'll knock on her door, see if she's in."
Coran nodded and said, "Thanks, Keith. I'll be in my office."
Pidge looked at Hunk chowing down and said, "Well, Hunk's in his-Oof!Hey Hunk! That elbow can kill!" He rubbed his ribs where Hunk had just elbowed him.
Keith turned towards the hallway, shook his head and laughed. It was good to be back.
He knocked on her door. Silence. He called, "Princess? You in there? It's me, Keith."
Still no answer. He tried the door. It was unlocked. He opened it just a crack, not wanting to catch her if she happened to be dressing. He did that once accidently, and Nanny about tore his hide off for it. He couldn't look Allura in the eye for weeks.
He called again, "Allura, it's Keith. Are you decent? I'm coming in."
He opened the door some more, saw nothing and then opened it all the way. She wasn't there. He went into the room further. Nothing. Her bed had been made, so she was up. He was puzzled. Where was she? Maybe she still was practicing. He would check with the guards. Keith left and shut her door.
Allura contacted Lotor's envoy on the frequency he gave her. It was a private frequency, so it couldn't be traced.
"This is Princess Allura contacting Envoy..please come in.."
An accented voice said, "This is Envoy..Princess, are you enroute to Eurydis?"
"Yes,I am. My ETA is 1.2 Terra hours."
"Good, I will relay your landing destination and clearance code - you need that to get in. Your landing area will be safe and enclosed. We would not want your ship to be noticed-you are in Blue Lion, are you not?"
"Yes.." The Princess replied.
"I will also give you directions to the bazaar. It is close to your landing area. I will meet you in front of the glassblower's booth-there is only one there. I will contact you. You will know me when I say the word, "Doomsday,"
Allura shivered. Why did it have to be that word? The accented voice continued. "You must be in disguise. Your VF uniform will stand out-you do have a disguise?"
Allura checked her small storage area next to her seat. She said, "Yes, I do. I will wear it."
"Good, Princess. Lotor will be glad you are so well prepared. Till then, Princess..Envoy out.."
Allura's comm went dead. She sighed.She still wondered if she were doing the right thing. She hoped so.
Hagar said, " You look much better, Lotor."
Lotor touched his face and smiled. It was smooth skin, not metal. He could feel his two good eyes look about the neatened room. He felt whole again, as he hadn't in three long years. He wanted to see a mirror, to see if Hagar's magic had really worked.Hagar produced one.
"See, Lotor?"
He looked. His handsome chiseled face looked back at him. His eyes sparkled again. Surely she would love him seeing him like this!He would sweep her off her feet!
Lotor asked, "How long do the effects last, Hagar?"
The old witch said, A few hours at a time, then you revert back for a short period.Remember,once you have gained the Princess'true love, you will be whole permantly."
Lotor smiled and looked at his reflection again. "Yes.I will look forward to that-and the destruction of Voltron!" He looked at the time and said, "The Princess will arriving at the Bazaar soon-I must go to meet her-where is my disguise?"
Hagar handed him a heavy long robe and a cowl with a filter that would cover his face. He didn't want Allura recognizing him yet. He put the robes on and covered his handsome face with the filter. He spun gracefully and said, "How do I look, Hagar?"
She cackled and said, "Like a tall version of me!"
Lotor said, "Very amusing, Hagar! But you can't spoil my mood today-Allura is coming here and here she will stay with me..she finally be mine."
He left the room with a jaunty stride to his step as of old.Hagar looked at the departing prince and smiled. Their plans were going smoothly. Soon, he would strike and their pretending would be over.
The rebirth of Doom would arrive soon.
Bizarre Bazaar
Allura arrived and smoothly landed at the cordinates that Lotor's envoy had given her. He was right, this cave was enclosed. Nice and large, it could hold a fleet of ships. She locked the blue lion's mechanisms and removed her key. Opening the storage compartment, she shook out the long robe and hood and slipped it over her head. She took her helmet off and left it by her chair. Wearing that would be a dead giveaway! She pulled the hood over her gold hair and exited the lion. As she left the cave, she noticed the enterance fading into a solid rock wall. Hmm. A holo was hiding the cave enterance. Well of course, this was a smuggler's hideout!
She looked about and saw the path that led to the bazaar. Eurydis was not only a smuggler's moon, but a buyer and seller's paradise. All things of value were sold here-even slaves. Allura frowned when she thought of that. The Alliance had been trying to stop that trade for years. Zarkon had been at the forefront of the battle for the release of the slaves,but Eurydis was a holdout and would not be swayed to the Alliance's pleas. There was too much profit to be made.
She had reached the bazaar at last. Bright colors were everywhere-on the tents covering all the wares and on the people too. There were people from all corners of the galaxy here. Buying, trading, selling, not to mention the numberous illegal activities here. Allura would have to watch herself here. She patted her blaster unconsciously. Thank goodness it was where she could reach it. Now..where was that's glassblower's booth? She would have to stroll around and look for it.
She walked about, looking at the different wares, pretending to shop and ignoring the yells of the sellers trying to get her to buy something. Although Allura was alert, she did not notice two figures at a distance behind her, following her.
"Did you see her?"
"Yes, her face is exquisite. She would bring a high price."
"But her robe covers.."
"Fool! Anyone who looks like that in the face would be beautiful all over!"
"You're right, Yurri, you have a good eye."
"That is why I am a sucessful trader.come let us follow her. You know the routine.."
The two men continued to follow Allura as she strolled along, unaware of their prescence.
The tall man strode purposefully though the crowded bazaar. The crowds easily parted for him as if they knew his purpose. He had reached the glassblower's booth and looked around. Where was she? Of course she would be in disguise, but he would know her-sense her anywhere. He looked around anxiously. He should have never asked her to come here. It was dangerous - even with armed escorts.
Suddenly, he saw her-in a long dark cloak and hood. He glimpsed her face and knew it was her. He would know her face anywhere. As she moved towards the glassblower's booth, he saw the two men following her. Gorthos and Yurl, two of the best and most notorious slave traders on Eurydis! They were following Allura! He knew he had to stop them quickly before they snatched her!
Allura went down the crowded streets until she spotted the glassblower's tent up ahead. Good, it wasn't too far then. It was so crowded here! She passed a small alleyway to her left, when suddenly, two arms grabbed her from behind. She tried to scream but a large hard clasped over her mouth.
A voice said, "Take it easy, girlie, we won't--Uhh!!" The hands released her and she stumbled forward. She didn't look back at her attackers but ran towards the glassblower's booth.She had to get out of here! Where was that envoy? A pair of strong hands clasped on her shoulders from behind. She jumped, thinking it was whoever attacked her. She was about to scream when a voice said, "Doomsday.."
She turned around and saw a tall figure shrouded in a cloak and cowl. His filter covered his face. She said, "Are the envoy from Prince Lotor?" The figure bowed regally and said, "I am, Princess Allura."
She said, "Good.." The envoy said almost angrily, "Why did you not have escorts? It is dangerous for a lone woman here."
She said, "I didn't want people to know I was coming here until I was here-it would have been risky."
The envoy clenched his gloved fists and said, "You were foolish. You're lucky I was here. Those men who attacked you were slave traders who tried to take you back there! One has been - 'dispatched' to the beyond."
Allura looked startled. "You mean by you?"
The figure nodded. "Yes." He took her gently by the arm and said, "Come, I will take you to safety. He awaits you."
Arus: The Castle Of Lions:
They had looked everywhere for her. She was not on Arus and Blue Lion was gone. It was unusual, for she did not leave a note. There was no sign of her lion anywhere and no sign of any distress signals. It was as if Allura had fallen off the face of the galaxy.
Keith and the other members of the Force met with Coran. Coran was worried.
"This is not like Allura, Keith, not like her at all. Something must have happened."
Keith said, "We'll look for her, Coran..you know we will.."
Lance scratched his head and said, "Yeah, but where? She could be anywhere or with anyone." They knew he was refering to Lotor. He was their main worry these days.
"Well, we've contacted everyone-even Zarkon's looking for her." Hunk said.
Keith paced the floor and said, "Well, we need to find out where she is and fast. We'll have to--" Just then he was interrupted by the comm in Castle Control. Coran said, "It's a mesage from Commander Amalgamus at Galaxy Garrison."
The image of the robot Commander came through the video-comm. "Greetings Coran, Voltron Force, Commander Keith.."
The Commander was the first AIB(artificial intelligence being) to command the Galaxy Garrison - and the Alliance. He came up through the ranks just as everyone else had done. He deserved this position of Commander.
Coran said, "What may we help you with, Commander?"
Amalgamus said, "Coran, I need Keith and the rest of the force to go to the Planet Ryll for a rescue mission of some slaves."
Keith exclaimed, "Wait.Isn't Ryll on the other side of the sector? There is a fleet that was just dispatched to free them isn't there?"
Amalgamus 'nodded' and said, "Yes, but that fleet has been dispatched to Teran2 to fight the Marauders-(a bandit group of guerillas) and they cannot assist in the rescue of the slaves. These slaves have escaped their masters who purchased them illegally. Voltron is the only one who can assist."
Hunk said, "But the princess is.."
Amalgamus interupted, "I have been informed about the Princess from Zarkon. He has dispatched his personal fleet to look for her. She will be found."
Keith said, "But she took the Blue Lion! Without Blue Lion, we can't form Voltron!"
"I am aware of that Commander Keith. However,even the lions will suffice for this mission. It is important we get these slaves out. The slaves happen to be some of our high ranking scienctists. If Lotor had gotten ahold of them..well never mind that. I am ordering you to go to Ryll at once. Don't worry about the Princess. Zarkon will use all his resources to find her."
Keith thought. this just doesn't fit right. .. He had to give it one more try. "Commander Amalgamus, the princess is a member of the team, surely we can-"
Amalgamus cut Keith off in a harsh tone of voice, "Commander Keith, this is a direct order. Do you wish to be replaced by someone who can follow my orders?"
Keith was shocked. Amalgamus had never spoken this way to anyone before.
Keith said, "No sir-we will comply." Amalgamus 'smiled' and said, "Good, your force will depart immediately for Ryll. If the Princess is found, we will contact you and Coran right away. Amalgamus out."
The comm went blank. Keith sighed and turned back towards the guys and said, "Well,you heard him. We got our orders."
Pidge said, "Yeah, but they're weird! I mean Commander Am knows how we feel about the Princess!"
Lance said, "Maybe he's got a lot of stuff on his digital mind. I mean, Galaxy Garrison and Alliance outposts and planets have been raided lately,but I agree with Pidge. Something's not right."
"Betcha Prince Lotor behind all this-that metal-" Hunk said, clenching his fists. "I'd sure like to recycle his aluminum!!"
Keith sighed and said, "Well, we'll have to just wait for that, guys. Hopefully, Zarkon will find the Princess before we get back. Let's go to the lions!"
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