Chapter 1

It was a tragic day for the Royal family of Dibazzel. The Empress Honerva and the Emperor Zarkon had both died, leaving their thirteen year-old daughter and their eleven-year old son alone.

Both children were at their funeral, comforting each other.

Acxa, the girl, took a deep breath, wrapping her brother, Lotor, in a hug. "It's okay." The sound of her words, surprisingly calm, soothed both of them.

But still, Lotor wept, burying his head into her chest. "I miss Mom."

"Lotor…"

"What are we going to do?" Lotor asked, tears dropping onto Acxa'a crimson dress. "We're never going to…"

"Listen to me, Lotor." Acxa pushed him away from her and tilted his face up. "It's going to be okay."

"But, King Alfor claims that he's going to…destroy Dibazzel."

"I know." Acxa fell silent for a moment. "Okay. Actually, running a Kingdom is hard work. Remember that one time Dad went to pick up those Lions from Altea?"

"Yeah." Lotor clung even more tightly to her.

"He put me in charge, right? One word. Stressful."

"Huh."

"And I'll still rule the Galra, we just won't live on Dibazzel." Acxa ruffled his short hair.

"Okay." Lotor's body was shaken by another Sob. "I still miss Mom."

Acxa sighed, still clinging to him. "I know." She watched over her younger brother's head as the carcasses of their parents went past, towards a command ship. She didn't want him to see their mother, her bun undone and her hair strewn around her head, her mouth twisted into a permanent scowl. Their father; his eyes still open, fear in them. His mouth set into a frown.

Acxa patted Lotor gently, making sure to keep him distracted. Once the bodies disappeared into the battle cruiser, King Alfor summoned the children.

"Acxa, Lotor. Come along." He motioned to them, before finally turning to his wife. "Asami, may you go get Allura?"

Asami, his wife, nodded politely, then began to walk over to her teenage daughter, who was surrounded by Nobel Altean Children and one or two Galra children.

"Yes, this crown in real Gold!" Allura's voice carried all the way to Acxa. "No, this is not a ruby! Rubies are red! This is a sapphire!"

Acxa clutched Lotor's hand in hers, and began to walk towards their guardian.

"Hi, Alfor." Lotor's voice was hardly above a whisper as he looked at his toes. "Do you really have to destroy Dibazzel?"

Alfor froze mid-step, turning slowly to face the young Prince. "Listen, Prince Lotor. There, as far as I know, is only one way to seal the rift. And that's to destroy Dibazzel. I don't want to do anything else too risky."

"Okay. That makes sense…I think."

"I'm happy that you two have inherited your mother's smarts, you really think things through." Alfor complimented them.

"Hi, little children!" Allura greeted them, walking up to them and using one hand to adjust her crown.

"I'm a teenager, just like you!" Acxa hissed. Why did Allura think she was better than everyone? "And Lotor's a tween."

"Heh. You're still younger then-"

"Allura!" Alfor warned, shaking his head at her. "Be kind. They just lost their parents."

"Good riddance. Zarkon was a jerk." Allura did a perfect hair flip, smirking.

Acxa drove her feet into the ground, maintaining a still posture.

"Allura." Alfor took a step towards his daughter.

"And Honerva was crazy." Allura finished, ignoring her father as he grasped her arm angrily.

Lotor hadn't minded the insult thrown at his father, but this…the insult at him mother…it was evil, wrong!

"You don't deserve the title of Princess!" Lotor screeched facing Allura, full of fury. "You deserve the title pheasant!"

"Children!" Asami pushed her way in between the two children. "Get along! You'll be living in the same castle until Acxa becomes of age, so you better get along!"

Allura sighed. "Yes Ma'am."

"Thank you, Asami." Alfor threw a pointed look at Allura. "For settling that argument. Lotor, remember. A great leader does not loose patience. Patience yields focus." Alfor kneeled down and looked Lotor in the eye. He held out his hand and Lotor shook it.

"I'll do my best do be a good man."

"I know." Alfor nodded, then turned to Acxa. "You're silent for a child, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Acxa told him. "Let's just get away from here."

Alfor shot her an unsure look, but she ignored him.

She didn't need his help. She was a Galra princess, and Galra princesses…well, they could look after themselves.

-Gravtron1

Short chapter. But the beginning of a longer, more thrilling book. I plan to have at least twenty chapters. I'm working on another book, so there may be about a week between updates. Sorry!