Cloak and Doom: Chapters Three & Four
Jekyll and Hide
The envoy escorted her to a small shuttle. He blindfolded her, apologizing, "Forgive me, Princess, we do this with everyone who comes here." Allura thought that that was a terrible way to live, hiding from everyone, having to watch your step. She wondered if Lotor ever thought about what it would be like to live as a normal, average person. Of course, he couldn't now, because of his face, but still....
They had reached their destination. The envoy got up and led her, still blindfolded, out of the shuttle. She felt like she was led through a tunnel, and then the envoy led her into a doorway which then led into a hallway. She then felt like she was in a large open area. He guided her to what seemed to be a comfortable couch.
The envoy said, "Prince Lotor will be with you in a moment. He will remove your blindfold, Princess." Allura nodded and she heard his footsteps go away. She wondered how long she would have to wait. She couldn't stay here too long.
A few moments later, she heard footsteps coming towards her. She said, "Prince Lotor, is that you?"
Then she felt hands-warm hands take off her blindfold.A familar voice said, "Hello, Princess."
She looked up and gasped. She couldn't believe her eyes. Allura said, "Lotor, you're, you're not.."
The prince smiled, took her hand and raised her up to his level. Allura's eyes searched his face. It was smooth, chisled and handsome, just as it was before his horrible accident. There were no scars, no marks. She quickly glanced at his body. Tall, lean and muscular. There was no metal anywhere. He was the way he was so long ago.
Allura said, "How-how did you?"
Lotor smiled and kissed her hand. Allura was too shocked to notice.
The handsome prince said, "Hmm..well-it was magic! Princess, come, dinner is waiting."
Allura said, "But you said you would..."
He cut her off with a smile and said, "Allura, shame on you! This is a celebration! I will give you the location of the Fortress-but first we shall have dinner. Please join me. I haven't had such charming company in awhile."
Then he frowned, looking at what she was wearing. He said, "Come with me for a moment..." He took her arm - she had no choice but to follow him. He went to a closet and opened the door, There she saw a row of dresses, all different styles and colors. He went through the closet and selected one. It was a pale white color.
He said, "Please wear this, Princess.I know it would suit you."
Allura said, "But,Lotor,I don't-"
Lotor placed a finger upon her lips and said, "Allura-please humor me. It is not like I have the pleasure of your company - or anyone's - everyday." ...but I will soon, my love..
Allura sighed and thought..I will humor him for now, hopefully he will still cooperate.
Allura said, "All right, Lotor, if you insist."
Lotor smiled again and said, "Good, I will leave you here to change.I will be outside the door. He quickly kissed her forehead before she could stop him and left,shutting the door behind him.
Allura was puzzled. Between his miraculous appearance and his mood, it was as if the accident of three years ago never happened. Had he forgiven everyone at last? Did this account for his change of heart? She didn't know. She changed her clothes and opened the door.
Prince Lotor looked at her and said, "Lovely as ever! Come, my beautiful princess!" He took her hand and they went to the dining room. Dinner was good. Allura didn't realize how hungry she really was. Lotor was a kind host. He did not act as overbearing as he used to with her. Perhaps somehow he had changed.
After dinner, he escorted her back to what she recognized as the living area and they sat together on the couch. Allura felf a little uncomfortable. It was too much like the old days, having him sit and gaze at her so. She could see the love he still held for her in his eyes. He could not take his eyes off her and it made her nervous. Lotor gazed at her with his two good eyes. He couldn't quite believe she was with him at last. She was so close. He could smell a whiff of clean soap upon her and the scent of her hair. Just gazing at her gave him pleasure. He hadn't felt so alive, so joyful in such a long time. And his body, his whole body felt wonderous. He felt reborn again. If he could get Allura to love him, it would be permanent and they could be happy together. He knew if he just kept her here, she would grow to love him, and then his life would be complete,once Voltron was destroyed that is.
He reached out and touched the tendrils of hair that always seemed to escape from her hair. They felt silky to his fingers-his flesh and blood fingers. He wanted her hair loose, but he did not dare ask-he didn't want to frighten her. He had frightened her enough in the past. Now that would change. He would always be gentle with her.
Allura said, "Lotor, about the Fortress.."
Lotor didn't want to talk about that now. He only wanted to enjoy her company. He said, "Allura, . We can discuss that later." He took her hand and held it.
Allura yanked it away. "Lotor, please! I cannot stay here forever. Just tell me about the Fortress and I will go. I won't tell them where you're at."
Lotor grabbed her hand again and held it tightly. He said angrily, "Is that all you've come for, Allura? You have all the time in the world here!"
Allura's eyes widened. "Just what do you mean by that, Lotor?"
The handsome prince smirked, "I mean you're not going anywhere, Allura. You are staying here with me."
Allura groaned inwardly. How stupid could she be? She should have known. At least she had left a note. She said, "Lotor,I left a note.You know they'll be on their way here!"
Lotor took something out of his pocket and showed it to her. He said, "You mean this note?" Allura gasped. It was the note she left on the bed! "How-how did you get that?"
The prince smirked and said, "Oh, now that isn't important now. What is important is that you are finally where you belong - with me."
Allura was angry. "I trusted you! I thought you had changed, but you haven't!" She jerked her hand away and got up quickly. She was getting out of here! The prince grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.
He said, "You're not going anywhere, my sweet. You're home now. You cannot escape. And if your Voltron Force comes, I will destroy them!"
Allura yelled at him. "It doesn't matter what you look like! You're still a monster!" The prince frowned. This was not going as he planned. He decided to change tactics.
He let her arm go and said, "I'm sorry, Allura. It's just that I have been so alone here-I have no one." He looked into her eyes and said, "I will give you the Fortress information,just please spend some time with me, just a little while out of your whole life. It is all I ask."
Suddenly, Allura felt sorry for him, just as she had when she saw him at the Bastille 12 prison. It was true. He had no one. She had all her friends, Coran..she had family. There was nothing for him. He was on the run. Perhaps if he gave her the Fortress information, she could arrange somehow to have his sentence reduced. Anyone who went through what he had would be bitter and vengeful too.
Still there was the problem about the note. She looked back into his eyes and said, "All right, Lotor I will stay." She saw his eyes light up. "But only overnight! And I must contact my friends. They will be frantic, looking for me."
To her suprise,Lotor did not protest at this, but only said, "Come this way then,Allura." He led her to a small comm system and said, "Be my guest,love."
She contacted Coran without any problem. She did not disclose her location but said she was out visiting and had forgot about the time. Although Coran had protested, in the end he was convinced she was all right and Allura disconnected the comm with relief. Perhaps Lotor was on the level after all.
She smiled and said, "Thank you, Lotor."
He smiled back and drew her to him. She became very nervous and said. "Lotor..." His face was very close to her own.
He murmured, "I love you, Allura.." and then he kissed her very gently on her mouth. All of a sudden, he gasped in pain and jerked away. He grabbed his head. "AAaagggh..my head!!" he yelled, covering his face. Allura placed a gentle hand on him. "Lotor, what is it? " He jerked away from her completely, turning away. He could feel his face, his body changing-hardening to the bionics that the Alliance witch doctors had put in him. He screamed again in pain. He had to get out of there before she saw.
She said worridly , "Lotor! Please! You're in pain! Let me-!" She made to go after him but he pushed her away hard and yelled, "No! I'll be fine! Just wait! Aggh!!" He stumbled out the room. Allura sat down worried. What was wrong with him?
Lotor reached the chambers where Hagar stayed. Without knocking, he came in the door. Hagar exclaimed, "Hey, I could have been indecent!"
Lotor, even in pain, couldn't pass that up. "You're always in-de...uhh..cent Hagar..agghh!! It hurts!"
He uncovered his face and felt the familar hated metal upon it. Once again he was the hideous monster. At least the pain was gone for the moment. Staightening up, he said, "Ah, glad that's over.
"Hagar said, "Well, I guess she doesn't love you yet does she?"
Lotor glared at her and said, "She will,witch-she will! How long will I be-this ?" He gestured at his metallic face. Hagar cackled and said, "Not long-not long, soon you will be Prince Charming again, heehee!!"
"I better, Hagar! I don't wish for her to see me like this anymore! And by the way, Hagar-you do such a good job of Coran's voice."
Hagar smiled and said, "Why thank you! I have many talents !!! As for the other -You should change back-umm right now!"
Lotor felt strange again but he didn't feel too much pain this time. His body was changing again. Metal gave way to flesh, muscle and sinew. Within a few moments, Lotor was whole again. He breathed deeply and said, "Ah, much better." He smirked at Hagar and said, "I think I will go back and visit my pretty guest. I'm sure she misses me." Once again, he went out the door a happy man.
Hagar chuckled to herself. Everything was working out fine-just fine. Zarkon would be pleased. Very pleased indeed.
A Man Of The People Chapter Four:
Zarkon, or as he was formerly known-King Zarkon- was in his spacious offices at Alliance headquarters looking over the days' agenda. Another busy day attending to the needs of the people. A knock came to his door. He said, "Yes, come in please.."Brina, his personal assistant popped her head in the door and said, "Sir, would you like some lunch? Geyri has brought enough for everyone.." Zarkon smiled and said to the pretty assistant, "Thanks, but no thanks, Brin, I'm not hungry. Maybe later.." Brina grinned and said, "Okay, but you're missing out, sir!" Brina closed the door and left him in peace.
Zarkon swivled his chair around and looked out at the expanse of blue sky that graced this planet's skies. He leaned back and closed his eyes. He remembered when he looked upon the grey skies of Planet Doom, his empire at his feet and slaves, multitudes of slaves, who lived and died at his command. And then his son had to ruin it all. He sighed. He missed the power-the absolute power he had over people. At a glance or a single word, he could order the deaths of millions of people. It was like being a god. His planets were his and no others. The universe lived in absolute terror of him.
And now? Now he was a man of the people. Oh yes, after Lotor's defeat, he had changed. He swore if Lotor lived he would, and he was good at his word. He freed his slaves. Let the worlds that had been under him have their freedom to choose governments. His personal wealth he used to help the people and the planets of this galaxy rebuild. He was known as the great philantropist, a generous man who helped everyone in need. He even helped the planet Arus rebuild their cities and towns-the very same planet he had vowed he would destroy years ago. There were those that said he should become the head of the Alliance for his work with the people of the Galaxy. Others had said he was as generous and as a great a man as King Alfor of Arus had been. That comment had made him smirk inside. Imagine, being compared to a man who had been a mortal enemy! He just bet Alfor was spinning in his grave!
Oh yes, he was respected now. Everyone trusted him. He had friends in the highest eschelons of the Alliance and Galaxy Garrison. He was an upright man. His son, however was the menace now. Zarkon smiled to himself. All had worked out so much better than he had planned. When they brought Lotor out of the remains of his ship barely alive, Zarkon hoped that he would die. At last he would be rid of the milestone around his neck. But Lotor didn't die. He lived, and Zarkon changed his evil ways immediately. The sentimental fools had fallen for it. It was delicious! Lotor, a metal faced freak now-the menance of the entire galaxy and he, a solid, respected citizen of the Alliance! He had respect and honor, but it wasn't enough. Soon, his long patient wait would be over, thanks to his love-sick son. Hagar kept him informed-in secret, of course. Zarkon laughed softly. His son may have gained strength from his bionic engineering, but he was sitll an idiot and a freak to boot. He was still in love with the Princess too. He could see that when they had visited him in prison. The fool! What a waste of time he had been! Still, he was fulfilling his purpose now. Soon, his son would be back in prison again, and this time, Zarkon would make sure his room had unbreakable, shatterproof mirrors so his son could see his pretty face.
He would have it all- the Alliance, Galaxy Garrison, and the galaxy at his command. No more please and thank you. Bowing and scaping to others who were inferior to him. No, things would be at rights again as it should have been. This time there would be no Alliance and no Galaxy Garrison to bother him, for he would command them! And Voltron! Yes, Voltron would be his, and the robot would enforce his rule over the galaxy. He would take the Voltron Force and make them bow to him before he killed them. After all, didn't they still bear the slave tattoo he had placed on them all those years ago? They were his to command just as any slave would be. And Arus? Perhaps it would be fitting to have his royal palace on Arus. He grinned fiendishly. Yes, how appropriate. Alfor's pride and joy, the Castle of Lions now his own.Alfor had swore he would never set foot in it! Princess Allura? She would be punished for her obstinance, her stubborness. She was like her father, Alfor. She would be a slave, at his beck and call, until he killed her or perhaps she could give him a new heir! After she was responsible for ruining the one he had. How ironic that would be! The daughter of King Alfor bearing his enemy's child! She would be a trophy of sorts of his victory over all who had defyed him -and thought they had won.
His son? His son would rot in prison and he would stay there the rest of his life Perhaps he would finally beg to be destroyed. Zarkon rather hoped not. He wanted to see the freak suffer. But it wasn't quite time yet, but it was close, so very close. Amalgamus had already sent the Voltron Force to Ryll and the princess was with his foolish son. All would fall into place soon. Zarkon swiveled his chair back to his desk, looked at all the papers and datapads on his desk and sighed. Until then-He was a man of the people..
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