"Magnum Opus"
It all starts with a single note. A chord struck, blooming into simple counterpoint. And as the notes proliferate, delicate harmonies unfurl, giving way to rich and emotional tides in the form of motifs and melodies. The subtle pulse of a singular beat catches the spirit, and builds into an incessant thrum. Layer upon layer, moment by moment, that lone note blossoms into a symphony, sending a heart soaring, setting a soul ablaze.
Chapter One: Fanfare/Prelude
Fanfare: A short tune, a flourish, usually played on trumpets; an ostentatious display.
Prelude: A short piece intended to be played as an introduction.
After having narrowly defeating the witch Haggar, staving off her surprise attack at Oriande, two exhausted galactic royals found themselves pondering everything that had brought them to this point: Two once-sworn enemies, now allies and-dare they utter the word-friends. And even more disconcerting, neither of them could shake the growing fondness and familiarity between them. There in the darkness, they lay in their respective chambers in the Castle of Lions, revisiting moments that had spurred their hearts and minds closer to each other, and now sparked something undeniable between them...
It had all begun with four words.
Lotor had single handedly saved innumerable lives and civilizations, entering the scene with his usual bravado. And after declaring his wish to parlay with the allied forces fighting the Galra Empire, he went along willingly in their precautionary measures. Despite Allura's numerous doubts, she felt his current request was-at least-worth giving a listen.
The Galran prince had known of her, having heard stories about his parents before their fall and whispers of people across the universe. When he found out she was alive as he negotiated boarding their ship, there appeared a glimmer of hope: he could further pursue knowledge of Altean alchemy. There was a singular person in the entire universe who might just understand, and be able to help him.
I will do everything it takes, patiently abide by their rules and give them everything I have, in order to gain their trust and alliance. They should eventually listen to reason.
The Voltron team had taken Lotor aboard tentatively as their prisoner. He disembarked from his craft and stood before the black, blue and yellow paladins. He was promptly cuffed and taken to a holding cell deep within the ship.
A mere few minutes passed before an elevator descended into the vast chamber.
It was then that he finally saw her.
The princess approached, accompanied by the petite green paladin.
And now she stood before him, her silvery white hair and distinctly Altean features echoing his own. It made his breath catch to think that the last royal Altean, and one of the last remaining Alteans in the universe, could-if he played his cards right-possibly become his greatest ally. The silver-haired prince was overwhelmed. A warm sizzle slid up his spine and he drew a slow breath to steady himself. But now, his determination was suddenly stronger than ever, reinforcing the nostaligic yearning in his heart.
The ethereal Altean stared righteous daggers at him. Lotor steeled himself. Allura had a strong energy about her. She carried herself with grace and beauty, but yet also with a steadfastness and ferocity that sparked his curiosity.
"I am Princess Allura of Altea, daughter of King Alfor. Your father, Zarkon, destroyed my planet and ultimately my people ten thousand years ago. You are a ruler of an empire that has oppressed trillions of sentient beings across the known universe. And now you wish to have a 'discussion', as you put it, with myself and the rest of the Alliance."
Her righteous anger was radiant. The lilt in her voice, her Altean accent, was rich and captivating to his ears. He thought and felt so many things all at once, and something clicked into place. He took the harsh truths and accusatory tone, merely looking her in the eye, keeping his whole demeanor neutral.
"And what do you have to say for yourself, Prince Lotor?"
His only answer, a simple truth.
"I wish to help."
She raised a disbelieving brow at his declaration.
"And what kind of help are you offering?" she countered.
"Intelligence information regarding Galra operations, so that you can continue taking back the universe from the hands of Zarkon's tyranny."
He took in the various reactions of the paladins. Allura and the black paladin seemed cautiously receptive, but the other three obviously did not trust him.
"He's going to send us to our deaths, Allura," Lance declared. "Don't listen to him."
"I beg to differ," he retorted. "I will give you what you ask for, and if something doesn't check out, feel free to take my life."
He gestured with open arms, reinforcing that he meant every word of it.
The quintet passed looks between each other, unsure of how to proceed.
Shiro and Allura seemingly were on the same wavelength. Shiro nodded. Allura soughed a breath.
"Give us a couple of simple things to start with then..."
Allura had been reluctant to trust the son of the oppressor, but with each mission, she further questioned her misgivings. Her heart-reluctant to give up the idea that he was once again toying with them-clung to the inkling that, at best, he may be using them for his own selfish gain, even if their current goals coincided. In every conversation that followed a successful mission, the half-blood prince relentlessly insisted that his intentions were good. And the Princess, having strong magic and intuition, could read the honesty in his energy. It baffled her, and her heart, broken by the violence of millennia-old empire, was not yet prepared to reconcile with the evidence presented. Despite his insistence, her attitude was generally cool and staid. Even after their first attempt to save Commander Holt.
There is too much at stake for me to be taken off guard. As much as I want to trust him, too many people, too many planets and civilizations are reliant on my discernment.
Now Zarkon was bargaining for his seemingly wayward son. She knew deep down that it would likely be sentencing Lotor to his death, but she was unsure of any other way to proceed. Still, the princess considered the magnitude of the help he had provided so far, and what the cost of losing that inside information would be.
She wasn't truly moved until the moment he declared to her, urgent and eager, the hope above of all hopes which her heart yearned for since the passing of her father and the destruction of her planet:
"Princess...Imagine it: A new generation that could lift the mantle of peace. The children of King Alfor and Emperor Zarkon-you and I-a royal alliance between Altean and Galra."
Peace for the entire universe, ushering in a new era that harkened back to the days of her father; it was her heart's ultimate desire. The shock rocked her body as his words sunk in. They may have been born on opposing sides, but they actually wanted the same thing. It took her aback and shed a new light on her prisoner.
After further dissent from the paladins, they discontinued the meeting and took a rest. Everyone was emotionally and physically exhausted. As much as she hated the idea of putting any trust in a former enemy, she knew that his proposal was the best shot they had achieving their goals.
She fell asleep, imagining a peaceful future and her chest grew light with hope.
Lotor had let his eyes slide shut and began to doze off as he sat alone in his holding chamber. His thoughts wandered to Allura. The look of pure awe lit her face as he proposed their alliance, advocating his vision of peace renewed. He knew, undoubtedly, that she, too, wanted the same.
They had only been an arms length apart, separated by the translucent barrier. But he was able to finally command her attention and convey his sincerity. Those eyes shimmered like pools, and he felt something shift within him. He wanted to talk more with her, without the interruption of the other paladins. But, they were protective to a fault, and it prevented him from having more detailed conversations that he could only have with the Altean princess.
I will eventually get my chance to pick her brain about Altean alchemy. Patience is essential. I'll worry about it after we deal with my father...and what to do about his inevitable double-cross?
A sudden sound pulled him back to consciousness, when he realized someone approached.
The Black Paladin? What could he want?
Shiro approached and gave him the rundown of his plan.
"Here. Take this and hide it," he said, powering down the barrier and handing him the bayard. "I still don't completely trust your motives, but I also believe that your father will most definitely go back on his word. If he really wants you dead, then you'll need that. You have helped us a lot so far. And if we are successful in returning with both you and Commander Holt tomorrow, everyone wins."
Little did Lotor realize at that moment, that very bayard which once belonged to his father, would be instrumental in the death of that very man: the original black paladin.
Zarkon's death shocked everyone. But it was monumental in taking back the universe from the grip of tyranny. Allura's heart hurt for the Galra prince. No one should have to kill their parent. But she knew that he did it, at least in part, for the same reasons they had all wanted the defiled emperor gone. And that alone, had ultimately earned Lotor her respect.
With everyone back on the ship, they took a moment to get things sorted. The heir to the Galra throne sat pensively on the bridge. His hands trembled slightly as he recalled watching the life drain from his father. The feeling was bittersweet. The man he knew as his father was pure evil, defiled and arrogant. But he knew that he hadn't always been that way. The young black paladin named Zarkon, the man who loved an Altean alchemist and gave her a child, had been his inspiration. Both of them were gone, now. There was no coming back. He had killed his own father. It was something that instilled both pride and a sense of loss. As these emotions waged war within he didn't notice the softened, concerned gaze.
"Are you alright?" she asked him.
The answer was far too complicated for a short reply. But her concern touched him. It was rare that anyone get past his stoic facade. Although he still had so much he wanted to discuss privately with the blue-eyed Altean, with the rest of the team arriving shortly he knew that, once again, he was robbed of a perfect opportunity.
"I'll be fine."
She didn't seem to completely accept that answer, but in her own way, reached out to comfort him. And it did not go unnoticed.
"What you did was for the greater good. And for many of us, proof of your intentions for peace."
Her words quieted his nerves for a brief moment, knowing that she finally was taking him seriously.
The next step will be far from easy, but it is absolutely essential. I hope she will finally agree.
That was unfortunately not the case. His explanation was met with much resistance.
Thankfully the black paladin once again took his side and approached Lotor.
Resting in an empty bed chamber, the weary Galran was snapped from his restless thoughts when there was a knock at his door. The door slid open with a hiss, revealing a readied Shiro with his helmet in hand.
"Grab your things and come with me," he stated darkly. "I'm going to get you to the Kral Zera."
On the planet of Feyiv, a battle waged between countrymen. But Lotor proved himself, besting the other warriors with the help of the paladins and Voltron, who kept other enemy forces at bay in the skies while the fight came to a head down on land.
Allura watched as Lotor reached his torch down and violet flames shot up to the sacred crucible, announcing that he was the new ruler of the empire.
This is it. We will soon see your true colors, Lotor. I do hope you continue to live up to your word. For then we may actually have peace once again.