title here THREE RULERS, ONE THRONE
PART 1
by DUSTIN RILEY
(c) 2000 Fourty One Seventy Three Productions.

DISCLAIMER: All characters with the exception of Dusty rightfully belong to World Events Productions, Ltd. They're just coming out to play, and I promise they'll be back before dark. And away we go...

"For the last time, I don't want it!"

"But you deserve it!"

"Why? Just because I was born to royalty? I'm happy with what I'm doing now!"

"But you must! You are the heir to the throne!"

Sounds like a typical argument between Princess Allura and Nanny, right? But Nanny is out in the garden, pruning the rosebushes. She claims it relieves stress. And with the arguments taking place between Allura and her older brother Dusty, she needs to relieve a *lot* of stress.

Amidst all the arguments, the Arussian throne is being tossed around like a hot potato.

Since Dusty is the oldest son of the former king and queen, he's next in line to be King of Planet Arus. But he doesn't want it. Besides, his sister never knew she had a brother until he crash-landed on Arus three months ago. So she married someone that Dusty knew could be a much better king than he, even though he didn't have a drop of royal or aristocratic blood in him. That someone was the commander of the Voltron Force, Keith.

"How can I rule a planet that I can't even find on a star map if my life depended on it?!"

"The same way you just pick up a piece of music and play it perfectly the first time you see it."

"But that's different, Princess."

"How? AND N*E*V*E*R CALL ME PRINCESS AGAIN!"

The arguing had been going on ever since Coran brought up the topic over Dusty's favorite lunch, Cincinnati-style cheese coneys, smothered in tangy mustard and sprinkled with snow-white onions. But Dusty was so upset by the fact he was heir to the Arussian throne, that he never finished the coneys, the first time that had happened in his life.

Keith could tell the stress was getting to his wife, too. Even though Lotor had been destroyed three months ago, he still made sure he and his Voltron Force kept in tip-top shape, including the Princess. But the Princess had her mind on the whole succession to the throne issue. She missed easy targets in lion practice, normally the highlight of her day. It was now a daunting trial just to get the Blue Lion to sync up for the Voltron formation sequence.

Coran simply stepped back and didn't get involved in the issue after he brought it up. "This would be a test," he thought, "a test to see which one of these youths will be able to rule and defend this planet."

Keith decided to end this family feud once and for all. He called his wife, his brother-in-law, and Coran into his quarters. Keith was fed up with the bickering that was tearing not only his team, but his new family apart.

"All right, look," Keith said sternly. "This issue regarding who will rule this planet, althought important, is getting way out of hand. It's affecting every one here at the castle, and it must stop immediately. Dusty, I understand your position. You've only been here three months, and you don't know what to do if you were to become king. On the other hand, it's Arussian tradition for the oldest son to claim the throne for himself. Am I right, Coran?"

"I see you've been reading up on Arus' history," Coran nodded.

"Dusty, you and Allura are both members of the Voltron Force. I'm invoking my seniority over you both as Captain and giving the matter to Coran to decide. Whatever he comes up with is final, and all three of us have to abide by it. And if I here any more arguments about this, you lose your spot on the team. No questions asked. Coran's been around here longer than anyone, and he'll know best who can do the job, whether it's Allura, Dusty, or me. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," came the reluctant replies from Allura and Dusty.

"Coran, I'd like your answer in one week." Keith said.

The citizens of Arus demanded to know who was their ruler. But for the sake of their safety and that of the Voltron Force, they'd have to wait just one week longer.


Comments welcome at dustyanderson@mac.com
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