"What? You're better be joking, Hagar." Zarkon growled as the witch communicated to him on his private line.
"No, I'm not! Just think, Zarkon..you get to relive allll those wonderful years! Puberty..teenage rebellion..Why I can just HEAR it now..'Can I borrow your starship, Dad?'
"Oh can the jokes, Hagar! You say that those two fools sent him to Arus? That is interesting."
"I'm sure the Princess has him." Hagar said.
"Yes, well he is my son. I wonder if I should demand him back? I could do things right this time, and perhaps your magic can - "
He was cut off. "My magic can't do anything to him. I can't even track him. I cannot explain it. But why would you want him back? You always complained about his bumbling and his obsession with Princess Allura. Now you can control his fleet in secret. You can take over what he had conquered - under the guise of his surrender of course and then - "
"And then the Alliance will fall!" Zarkon chuckled. "I love the way your mind works, Hagar. Yes, I can work with this. With the Alliance under MY control, Voltron will be destroyed and I will fling those pilots into the slave pits - if I don't dispose of them first."
"And Arus, sire?" Hagar asked.
"Why should you ask that, Hagar? You will get the Castle of Lions and all it's secrets. The princess and my little son cannot stand against us. Once it's all over, I'll simply take Lotor and raise him right, that is, heartless and evil. Until then, let the Princess babysit that brat."
Hagar cackled, "Just think sire. No babysitting fees!"
"Humph..you just handle things from your end. I will issue any orders that need to be issued and between Amalgamus and I, we shall hammer out the "details" of Lotor's surrender."
"It will be done, sire.." Hagar chuckled.
Arus: The Castle Of Lions
Allura was tucking Lotor into his bed. His room was right beside hers so that she could be close should he need her. She knew that there were others in the Castle that could take care of him, but she wanted to. He was like a lot of little boys - rambunctious and rowdy, but he could be sweet too. He had brought her some buttercups earlier in the day with a shy smile. She marveled at his innocence and yet there was a shadow behind his eyes. She sensed that he was both proud and afraid of his father. She could not blame him. She was going to try to keep him away from Zarkon - if she could. So far, Zarkon had not contacted her, and it seemed that Lotor's disappearance from the Revenge hadn't even made a ripple in the scheme of things, although Amalgamus had recently hinted of a change in their dealings with Lotor's fleet.
"Lura, my head hurts." Lotor said softly, his kittenish eyes looking up at her.
She smiled softly, took her hand and rubbed his forehead gently. She started to hum a little melody to soothe him. He closed his eyes and she looked at his still face. Was it her imagination or did he look a little bit older? Was this what Dr. Gorma had been talking about?
He soon fell asleep and Allura smiled. Perhaps she should stay in here in case something happened…
She was awakened by Lotor's whimpers. Allura bent over the side of the bed and turned Lotor over. Tears streaked down his face but he didn't yell. His face was contorted in pain. Dear god, his face was changing. He looked older and he had grown taller. She couldn't tell how old he was right now, because he was in such pain. She held him in her arms as he shook.
"Allura..it's hurtin', My head's hurtin'. Make it stop.." he moaned.
"Shhh.." Allura soothed. She had to call for Dr. Gorma - and fast.
Not long after, Lotor was in the infirmary, sedated. Allura sat beside his bed, worried and wishing Dr. Gorma would come in and tell her what was going on. At last he came in and Allura rose, afraid of the news.
"Well?"
He said, "Its as I thought. He is aging. He has aged roughly about three years in that episode. I can't really predict when or how much he will age in the next one."
"So he'll have to go through this again?" Allura asked.
"It seems so, Princess. I cannot keep him under sedation. However, I can give you something that will relieve his headaches. Until then all we can do is wait for him to grow up. I wouldn't attempt to speed up the process any further."
"Of course." Allura looked back at Lotor and brushed back a lock of his hair. If she could make a difference in Lotor's character, then maybe - maybe he wouldn't become a scourge but a true asset to the galaxy. He wouldn't be under the influence of his father. She had to try. They all had to try.
"Lura?" she felt his hand creep into hers. "Where am I at?"
She smiled. "I had to take you to Dr. Gorma, Lotor."
"Ain't gonna die, am I?"
"No, silly..how's your head?"
"Umm..it don't hurt no more.."
"Good..I think you'll have to stay here for observation overnight."
"What's ob-sir - vation?" he furrowed his brow.
"It means they have to watch you to make sure you are all right."
"Oh. I see. Kinda like Hagar watches in her crazy crystals.."
Allura frowned slightly. That wasn't going to happen to him here.
"Lura, will you stay wi' me?" he sounded sleepy.
"You know I will."
"Please don't leave me..everyone nice always leaves me.."
"Shhh..I won't leave you, Lotor."
"Pleas' don' go."
"I won't..Shhhh..now go to sleep."
Allura started to hum a lullaby to him and he soon closed his eyes peacefully…
To Be Continued!