The Dark Emperor Ascends- Chapter One
For those of you who don't know, in the original Japanese version, Lotor actually forced himself on Romelle in the episode "It'll Be a Cold Day"- that is the plotline I am following here. Also, Keith's wound in "The Summit Meeting" was much more serious than in the American version let on. I just wanted to clear up any confusion anyone might have had. This is my first piece of fan fiction so I hope you enjoy.
I do not own Voltron or its characters and content.
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The Voltron team stood outside, watching the dusk turn the sky into fiery orange and deep blue hues as the sun descended. Allura's golden hair gleamed in the light, falling down her back as the men stood protectively at her side. They were all gazing ahead, drinking in the beauty of it all. At first glimpse, their view had been blissful, moments of peace with no qualms, no fear. It was a time to relish peace on Arus.
But the minutes had ebbed by into an hour, then two. Now it was growing dark, and the bubble of tranquility had been burst, its tear allowing sinister elements to wash back into view and burrow themselves into the skin of the Voltron Force.
"She's late." Allura's whisper startled them from the silence. She was staring at the horizon tensely, her hand holding tightly to the hem of her light pink gown. "Do you think something could have happened?"
"Allura." Keith's voice was gentle. "Surely nothing is wrong."
"Maybe she left late," Pidge spoke up, bestowing his best smile to console the princess.
Allura said nothing, but her lips seemed to tighten.
"Princess, Lotor hasn't been seen for over a year," Lance said firmly, reading into her qualms. "There's been nothing, no reported sightings. It seems that he has stayed on Planet Doom, preparing to ascend. Of course we'll be on our guard, but why suspect Lotor when he's nowhere in the vicinity of Arus?"
Zarkon had died under troubling circumstances not long before and now the Prince of Doom was about to become king. All had heard that another planet had sent in an assassin to kill both Zarkon and his son. The assassin had managed to slice off Zarkon's head but had been apprehended before striking down Lotor. The prince had reportedly been furious, most likely more for the assassin's intention to kill him than his father's demise, giving the assassin a dose of extreme torture before killing him. He had threatened the other planet ruthlessly for their alleged involvement. The last anyone had heard, Lotor was leading an attack of Doom against their new enemy. As for Arus, things seemed peaceful and calm. But anyone could tell the princess took this to be an unsettling reminder of the prince in his absence. He'd done nothing of late, but Allura was obviously still afraid of him. Her fright may have been irritating to some of her companions, but seemed completely rational to her- who wouldn't be afraid of Lotor when at the core of his searing desire?
"Romelle is always here when she says she will be." Allura wasn't looking at them. "It was supposed to be two hours ago that she would arrive, with Sven." Her eyes searched the sky, seemingly in fruitless search of her cousin. Oh, God. Why isn't she here yet?
Keith started to lead her back inside. "We can wait in the castle for them," he said kindly, trying his hardest to placate her fears. "It will be dark soon."
Allura, instead, settled herself on the grass. "I'll wait here." She knew she was irritating them, but right now she couldn't have cared less. She wasn't going to be satisfied with guesses until Romelle arrived safe and sound.
Keith knew that look. She was being stubborn and ignoring the disapproving looks on both Lance and Hunk's faces. Smiling dryly, Keith sat next to her. She knows we can't just leave her alone like this. Secretly, he didn't mind.
The others went back inside, trusting Keith to protect her. It reminded him of the time Lotor had almost gotten the princess as she ran from the castle, believing that if she stayed there would be danger. As foolish as the others had found it, he knew that she had gotten this warning from the vision of her own departed father. Hell, if my father came back to tell me something, I'd do it, too. He alone had been the one to save her (and nearly gotten a fatal wound in the process). It had hurt so bad, but when he remembered the desperate look on Allura's face as Lotor grasped her, he didn't regret it. He would do it again. "Can you imagine Allura's life should Lotor capture her?" Coran had questioned right beforehand. Keith never wanted to have to picture that ever again.
Soon the sun was gone, tucked away and enveloping them in the moonlight. Allura sat quietly, saying nothing. She seemed so troubled that Keith found he had nothing to say. He felt that familiar feeling searing within him, surging troublesomely. It was no wonder, since he was sitting right next to her under the stars. Awkwardly, he listened to the sounds of their breathing. Hers was so faint he could hardly hear the wispy breaths at all.
Eventually, she caught him looking at her. "Do you think I worry too much, Keith?" Her voice seemed so quiet and perturbed that he wasn't so sure he could find his own voice to respond.
He managed a soft smile for her. "No, Allura. Sometimes it's better to be too careful than careless."
She nodded slowly. "I don't like to admit it to anyone," she mumbled. "I'm the princess of Arus, soon to be Queen. I shouldn't be afraid of anyone. But I am. That is a weakness a ruler should never have." She looked away, her eyes shut for a moment.
He put an arm around her, and his body tingled as he did so. He usually never touched the princess, except when helping her. The occasional time they'd be walking and she'd stumbled, pulling her out of harm's way. But now that she seemed upset, he realized his weak words could not be as comforting as he wanted them to be. "Even if you fear Lotor, you've shown nothing but strength against him. Nobody is fearless, Allura."
"Get in here!" Lance's voice called to them as he and Hunk and Pidge stood near the drawbridge. "You've been out there too long! Nanny will have a heart attack!"
Allura stood up and said quietly, "Thank you, Keith."
Keith stifled a grimace as he stood reluctantly. Thanks a lot, Lance. "Of course, princess. Let's get you inside now. We'll wait for them there."
Allura started to oblige when the sound of an aircraft overhead startled them. All of them looked up at the descending craft and Allura finally smiled when it touched the ground.
"Sorry we are late." That familiar voice, an accent they had all grown to miss, wafted to their ears. Sven got out first before offering his hand to Romelle. That blue dress swished over her shoes, the straight golden sheet of tresses behind her. And those sparkling blue eyes that seemed to mirror Allura's own.
Allura broke into a run toward her cousin and gave her a tight hug. "I was so worried."
Romelle laughed and pulled back gently. "Why worry, Allura?"
"You're worried when I'm here?" Sven chuckled in amusement. "Oh, princess you must not think of me as a very good bodyguard!"
"Hmmmph!" Hunk grunted now, the princess out of hearing range. "Why does she have to worry so much?
Lance tried to warn him with his face, but it was too late. Keith's irritation could be seen even in the dimness. "You can't blame her for being afraid of Lotor, Hunk. Can you imagine how it must have been for her, all those times he's tried to capture her, has captured her? Can you imagine what that must have been like?" His eyes burned. "You know what he would have done if we hadn't been there," he added softly. The men were all silent for a moment, greatly disturbed by the thought of Lotor having his way with the princess.
"That is why she has every right to worry," Keith continued, his face taut in seriousness.
"But Lotor hasn't been seen in so long," Hunk protested, his rotund face reddening.
"Don't be silly," Lance said now, stepping forward. "We all know he'll come back."
"Yeah," Pidge added. "Lotor hates to lose, we all know that."
"And Romelle…" Lance continued quietly. Now they all looked over at the Polluxian princess, who seemed cheerful, embracing her cousin while in the arms of Sven.
They had never forgotten after hearing the news, the atrocities Romelle had gone through while imprisoned under Lotor. She had shown surprising strength but it was hard to believe that she was unaffected. Hunk looked down, uncomfortable until he finally nodded in agreement. "We'll protect her." They all watched as Allura giggled, ushering Romelle and Sven into the castle. Her eyes were bright and innocent, as expected from their princess. She didn't know what had happened.
Dinner, festivities, laughing like old times. It was the epitome of relaxed nights the team had had in the past year. Allura never wanted the evening to end. Keith was pleased to see that cheeriness back in her eyes.
"It's late," Coran announced after midnight. "We should all think about retiring for the evening." He raised his eyebrow specifically at the princess, who sighed, but took his advice. "Follow me, Romelle," she said cheerfully. Both of the women left then, heading down the hall as Keith looked after them.
"Geez, buddy, you could burn a hole through Allura's clothes if you don't stop staring," Lance teased.
Keith grimaced. "Shhh!" Lord only knew what would happen if Coran heard that.
Allura and Romelle brushed their hair out together before retiring for the night.
Allura spun around in a circle, her nightgown fluttering as she laughed breathlessly. "Oh, what a night!" Her eyes held nothing but joy. "I hope it will always be this way."
"What way? What is so unusual about tonight?" Romelle laughed, still looking into the mirror on the dressing table.
"We can relax, be at peace. No Planet Doom. No violence, no pain." She sighed happily. "No Lotor."
A crack echoed through the air as Romelle dropped her hairbrush. Allura caught sight of her face in the mirror- ashen, no color.
"Romelle?" Allura's voice was so quiet it could barely be heard.
Romelle grabbed the brush, her face tense.
"Is something wrong?"
Romelle looked up. Allura was so innocent, so kind. She had no idea what Lotor had intended for her and probably still did as he marched around his home palace, preparing to be Emperor. She didn't need to hear the brutal details. No use in worrying her more.
Romelle managed a weak smile and turned around. "It is nothing. Let us go to bed."
A strange bird's song sifted through the shutters of the palace windows and enveloped Allura in song. She had been dreaming, curled up into a ball in her silky white nightgown. The black sky and its luminous stars seemed to be calling for her to awaken. The tulip fields and falling rose petals vanished as she was startled into being awake, back to the darkness of her bedroom. She yawned and smoothed her gown. What was I dreaming? She thought. About flowers? She remembered once before when flowers had deceived her. No, she rebuked herself. I was dreaming about beautiful, ordinary flowers. Why can I not live a normal life again and forget the past? She pondered more over the dream. Who had been there in that throng of happiness? She's caught a flash of red. Keith? She blushed and giggled out loud, immediately covering her mouth so as not to wake up Romelle. But when she looked over at the other bed, Romelle was nowhere to be seen. Puzzled, Allura got up and donned a robe over her nightgown. Fixing her hair up and the silver diadem across her forehead, she quietly hurried to find Romelle. A search around the castle yielded nothing. She stood alone as darkness seemed to crawl across her skin. The sound of silence felt too unnerving, especially when she was all alone. The shadows of the room began to play tricks on her mind. Golden eyes flashed into her mind and she shook her head in contempt, hurrying down the hallway and struggling to release the image from her thoughts. I cannot let him frighten me this way, for him to stalk even my thoughts. The prince of doom was so intimidating that even his absence struck fear into her heart. Her breath heavy, she stopped near the meeting room.
She could hear soft voices and see light coming from the open door. Cautiously, she stood in the hallway; she could hear Coran's voice as he lectured the men, something with so grave a voice she knew the situation had to be dire. "It is urgent that we speak of this."
"But why so late?" Hunk grumbled, clearly exhausted. "Why not wait until tomorrow?"
"So the princess does not hear my thoughts on this matter. I have decided not to discuss this with her yet. "
Allura froze in her tracks, chills forming along her body. What could Coran have to say?
"Lotor hasn't been heard from in a year, but nonetheless, we have her health to think of. The Princess Allura must marry as soon as possible, not only to produce an heir, but because of the constant danger she has been in. In other words, she must marry before…heaven forbid, her virtue be stolen." Keith's face tensed at the mere inference.
"That's unnecessary," Lance protested. "We will protect her."
"How many times has she been captured?" Coran raised a forbidding eyebrow.
Hunk made an enraged noise under his breath. "She was rescued, wasn't she?" he challenged angrily.
"She never should have been captured at all," Coran rebuked him sharply. "And there is no excuse for that."
"No," Keith admitted firmly. "We aren't making any excuses."
"I should think not, Commander. But what are the plans you have to stop any future problems?"
"We're keeping up our drills, and maintaining the castle's defense. We're on standby in case any threats come in range of Arus." Keith looked Coran in the eye. "Without us, the princess would be in even more danger than before."
Coran was taken aback, but surprisingly bowed his head in admittance. "Yes, that is true. And I am grateful for you all. Do not take my criticism as dislike, because I could not be happier that the princess counts you as her guardians. But we all must admit that the princess is inevitably a target of great danger and that if she were to be captured for any further length of time, the results could only be unspeakable."
All of the men were very quiet for several minutes. Finally, Coran said, "No matter what the level of danger, she must marry and it is best for her to do so as soon as possible. There must be an heir." He paused. "There must be a king."
"Who are you considering?" Keith's quiet voice, revealing no emotion.
"I am not sure. She must marry a prince, at least." Coran sighed. "I've looked into princes of our allies and am considering searching and screening all possibilities, whoever seems most desirous. An alliance with another planet would do Arus much good and would ensure the Arusian line would continue." He looked at the men carefully. "You've all been very candid with the princess. But that must cease as of now. She is not of your kind. She is royal and should be treated as such. She must interact with men of her own station."
Hunk gnashed his teeth. "For someone who is supposedly so grateful, you sure do seem to love insulting us, Coran."
"It's none of our concern who you choose to marry the princess to," Lance spoke up heatedly, also enraged by the comment. "Our job is to defend Arus, not get involved in politics."
"As defenders of Arus, you should know what I am considering," Coran said, not at all perturbed at the inflicted offense he had caused. "There is no need to be upset at my proposals. You all knew when you took this position that you were to be the guardians, not suitors, of the princess."
"Of course," Lance snapped. "There was never any question of that."
Allura turned away, not wanting to hear the rest. She had always known the time for marriage was on its way. But she didn't want to think of it now. She wished Keith had shown some objection to the idea, as though he didn't want her to be with another man. But instead, he had said nothing. Only Hunk and Lance had seemed bothered. She felt sore at knowing Coran was right; they could never be seen as suitors. Dismally, she looked down at the cold floor. She had known for some time that she had feelings for him. She hadn't admitted it to herself until Lotor had sliced his blade across Keith's chest and he'd almost died. For hours, it had seemed that Keith would die, and her heart had throbbed miserably as she realized that her life would never be the same without him. She'd recalled all those moments that warmed her heart, such as when he entered the room, the sight of him in the doorway, down the hall. Even his voice during practice drills. Something felt so good inside just at his presence. When Keith had been proclaimed healed, she felt a new kind of apprehension: not only was this love forbidden by her title, but she'd seen nothing from Keith that indicated he felt the same way. Those smiles were polite, out of duty. Certainly, he was kind, but who was to say that he was nothing more than simply friendly? Even if Keith loved her, Coran would never allow him to marry her. It just couldn't be done. The thought of marrying someone else made her feel empty. She would make Coran and Arus happy with an heir and future for them; that, she wanted out of duty. But she would forever be looking at Keith out of the corner of her eye and questioning his inner thoughts.
Slowly, she ventured up on the roof, to look at the stars. The sound of sobbing confronted her ears and she could see Romelle, lying on the ground, her face in anguish. She had almost forgotten her initial reason for getting out of bed. "Romelle?"
Her cousin turned away. "Allura, what are you doing here?"
"I-I woke up and you were gone," she stammered, worried about how to ask what was wrong. She did not simply want to come forth and make Romelle feel worse.
Romelle hid her face away. "I needed fresh air." She sounded so meek and drained that Allura felt a shudder go up her spine. What had caused Romelle to go from so cheerful to so upset in one night?
"D-Did you have a fight with Sven?" Allura asked quietly, thinking of her own anxiety over Keith.
"No, I didn't. Please go back to bed, Allura. I- would like to be alone."
Allura nodded silently and turned to go back to her bedroom. Suddenly, Romelle let out an anguished wail. "Why did it have to happen? Why couldn't I stop it?"
Allura turned to her instantly and knelt beside her, uncertain of what she meant. But then it hit her. Coran's words about her endangered virtue finally started to pump through her. What Lotor could have done, would have done to her and- Oh, God. She gaped at Romelle in horror. He HAD done it. Allura put her arms around her cousin, squeezing tightly, crying at the thought of what had happened. "I'm so sorry, Romelle." The tears poured out faster than a waterfall as she sobbed. "So sorry." To think he did that to Romelle because she looks like me! "I had no idea." She ached at the sight of Romelle's suffering.
Romelle looked back at her, her eyes somber. "We decided not to tell you, for your own sake."
Allura pulled back and sniffled. "We? You mean- they all know and didn't tell me?!" All of the men knew about what Lotor had done and had kept it amongst themselves? She felt partially infuriated, but otherwise horrified.
"We did not want to upset you."
"Upset me?" Allura sniffled. "After what he did…"
Romelle shook her head. "The important thing is that you are safe." Allura was gaping at her in pity. "I was unconscious through most of it," she added, to placate Allura's guilt.
And Allura held her some more. "Romelle, I'm so sorry." Romelle, in turn, put her arms around her cousin, to show that there was no need to feel guilty. Romelle had never once blamed Allura for Lotor's attack. She smiled weakly and wiped the tears from Allura's cheeks.
"It is over now," she murmured. "And I have Sven to help me move on. But sometimes, the nightmares will not abide with my resistance. They keep coming back to me, and ushering in those memories all over again…"
It seemed so sudden that a shot came from the dark. Romelle pushed Allura and they both avoided the blast, just barely. "What- what's happening?" Weakly, Romelle raised her eyes to their worst nightmare. Putting an arm around Allura, who was whimpering in fright, Romelle ushered the both of them to their feet.
"How lovely it is to see such a beautiful woman in the moonlight." Lotor took a step forward and Romelle ushered the both of them backwards. "Two, at that. It shall be my lucky night."
Romelle stood in front of her cousin. "Allura- run!" she whispered.
"Oh, no you don't." Lotor positioned himself near the stairwell leading back down to the inner palace. "I came here specifically for Allura. I am the Emperor of Planet Doom- and I've come to collect my bride."
"How did you get here?" Romelle asked breathlessly, still obviously in shock at his presence.
"I have my ways," Lotor replied gleefully. "They surpass the greatest strategies of your pathetic Voltron force."
His minions, whom the women hadn't even noticed due to being so focused on their aggressor, left their camouflage and advanced. Allura and Romelle began to run. "There's nowhere to go!" Allura called breathlessly. "It's a dead end!"
"We can work our way down, if we're fast enough," Romelle said firmly. One of the minions grabbed at Romelle's ankle and she stumbled, closer to the edge. She stood shakily as Allura rushed forward to help her, but the lunge of one minion sent Romelle flying over the side. Allura grabbed Romelle's hand before she could plummet down. "Hold on." Allura gritted her teeth, trying to pull Romelle back up. She'd never been forced to use so much strength before. On her knees, she pulled every muscle in her arms trying to bring her cousin back to safety on the castle roof.
"Allura-" Romelle's voice was a whisper, shaking terribly. "Run."
"Not until I've pulled you up." Allura was trying so desperately to pull up her cousin that she had nearly forgotten about Lotor.
"It's too late, he's right behind you!" Romelle cried out, watching Lotor hover over Allura, the axes on his helmet glimmering sinisterly.
"Such a sweet show of affection." Lotor's voice was feigning tenderness. Allura's face tensed in fear. "Such strength Allura. It is always pleasing to see such a spirited woman. I could help, should you both agree to come willingly…"
"Yes," Allura said instantly, for she knew full well Romelle would fall if there was no help.
Romelle closed her eyes and Allura screamed when she let go. That blue dress billowed out as she soared through the air. Allura, she thought weakly, you must defend yourself now. I cannot help you. And she gave one last sigh before her body hit the water.
"ROMELLE!" Allura's scream penetrated the air.
It was then that Keith and the others rushed over, finally there to see the predicament that had been taking place. They arrived on the roof to see Lotor holding Allura, unconscious in his arms. "I have your princess right here," he said quietly. "If you make one move, she won't be so safe."
Keith snarled and put a hand on his laser pistol.
"Not so fast, Commander," Lotor hissed. "Do you want her to go over the side like the other one?"
A horrid silence came over the men as they frantically looked at one another. There…it couldn't be…he didn't mean-!
Sven's face grew pale. Keith spoke now, heatedly demanding, "What did you do to her?"
"She let go with her own free will," Lotor laughed as his minions stood protectively in front of him. "Rather than come back to Doom with me. No matter. Allura alone will greatly suffice."
A cloud of smoke overcame the men and when it cleared, Lotor and his minions were gone. And with them, Allura.
Coran and Nanny were soon on the scene. They didn't have to ask to know what was going on. Nanny immediately took out her handkerchief and began to weep as Coran put a hand over his face. Hunk and Lance stood in shock, unable to speak as Pidge ran over to the side of the castle , looking down. He saw nothing and let out an aggrieved sigh.
Keith fell to his knees and banged his fist onto the ground in frustration. The princess had been quite right to worry.
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I know it probably seems silly that Lotor is able to simply appear on Arus without being detected, but I promise there will be a reasonable explanation later on down the line!
Also, it has been quite some time since I last saw Voltron. I'm not entirely sure that the castle had a moat, but hey, nobody minds that being thrown in, right? ;D
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Please review!