Chapter Two: Fugue
Fugue: A polyphonic composition based upon one or more themes, enunciated by several voices/parts in turn, subjected to contrapuntal treatment, gradually building into a complex form with distinct divisions or stages of development, leading to a marked climax at the end.
It had only been about a week since the Kral Zera when Lotor contacted the Princess.
She was alone on the bridge of the ship, staring off into the depths of space sprawling before her, when the telescreen appeared in a flash and a trill signaled an incoming call.
The familiar coordinates made Allura's stomach flip-flop.
She held her breath as one jittery finger tapped the indicator to connect with the new Emperor, and his softly smiling face filled the screen.
"Good evening, Princess," he said in a smooth dulcet intonation. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"No...not really," she fumbled. "Just...taking a moment for myself." She paused as they simply held each other's gaze for a moment, before finally needed to break the ice. "So, how are you faring, Lotor? I'm sure your new tasks at hand are not easy ones."
Lotor was taken aback slightly by her genuine concern. It was a new concept to have anyone genuinely care about his well-being, and he rather appreciated it. He felt that she, as his greatest ally, and a caring individual, deserved an candid answer.
"To be quite frank, it's not easy. Dare I say it's mentally exhausting. I have a lot to sort out, and much upheaval to deal with. But..." Lotor paused, his gaze warming once again to her, sending her reeling for a moment. He nodded in her direction. "I would like to invite you to visit with me at your earliest convenience-you and the paladins, of course," he quickly corrected, clearing his throat, "as a show of good faith. Come see what changes I wish to bring to the empire, and how I plan to do away with the old regime." His lips quirked to the side, as he looked away from the screen, before continuing. "And actually, I have some very special things I would like to show you, Princess."
For some reason, his addendum had a hint of double entendre that brought the heat rising to her face. Allura couldn't help the the sudden and moderately inappropriate image of a shirtless Lotor that came to mind. Attempting to shake herself from it, she mentally berated herself.
Why would I even think of something like that?
Lotor noticed the color in her cheeks and realized how vaguely uncouth he sounded. Steeling himself from the thought of being alone with the beautiful Altean, he cleared he throat yet again and hastened to clarify.
"Ah, well, let's just say there are a wealth of resources that only a trained Altean alchemist like yourself will be able to decipher."
Allura laughed nervously. "Oh, yes, in that case, I would be glad to accept your invitation...on behalf of all the paladins."
"I look forward to our meeting, Princess," he said, a small smile once again gracing his lips. "Get some rest, and I'll see you soon."
Allura dared return the smile with a nod. The color of her cheeks darkened further.
"You, also, Lotor. I'll be in touch," she replied as she reached for the control screen. "Good night."
The somewhat frazzled princess decided it was time to turn in and try to get some sleep, as the next day they would prepare for departure.
All of the paladins stared in awe as they docked into the headquarters of the Galra empire. They all voiced their disbelief in their turn of circumstance.
Violet lights shone an eerie hue on everything in their midst.
Allura assured them that their support of the new emperor would be worth their ultimate goals. Deep within her bones she knew that, as much as her emotions wanted to hate everything that the Galra had become in the last ten thousand years, her intuition reassured her beyond a shadow of a doubt, Lotor was a man of good faith. He may have his own personal goals, but he was true to his word. She knew well enough to trust her intuition, and it told her to trust him.
To trust him as a bearer of peace, by giving every race in the the empire what they needed, including his own: A healthy planet, proper balance of power and a voice in the governance of the empire, in a viable attempt to negate any reasons for war and subjugation.
Her breath caught as they entered the entry hall. Old banners flew anew. She only had a vague recollection of them, but the familiarity had warmed her heart. It overshadowed the incongruity of sentries that greeted them along with their ally.
His introduction gave her hope and still saddened her. She knew that there was so much work to be done to help rebuild everything and restore their deeply coveted peace. He had taken the throne under very precarious circumstance. Lotor was not fully supported by the remnants of his father's empire.
It all came down to one thing:
"...Quintessence...Unlimited amounts of it."
He looked straight to her.
"Allura, you, are the key to getting it," he stated it in an almost complimentary nature.
He welcomed the rest of the paladins and Allura's advisor, Coran to freely visit and access everything in the Galra Headquarters. Shiro and Coran headed off to collect important data, much to their disbelief, and the other three, left to their own mischeivous devices.
Allura prayed they didn't do anything too out of line as Lotor beckoned her to come with him.
Alone.
He turned to ascend the staircase, giving her a small smile as he glanced down at his elbow as he wordlessly suggested a gentlemanly offering. She smiled back at him as she took it, much to Lance's apparent chagrin which she instantly ignored.
She was being treated like a princess for the first time in ten millennia, and she rather enjoyed it.
They headed up the stairs in companionable silence. And once they were out of sight of the envious paladins, Lotor looked down at her. His eager and anticipatory gaze told her he was anxious to show her something.
"Follow me, Princess," he urged. "I know you want to see this. No one has been where we are going-other than myself-in quite a while."
"Allura," she stated, after realizing he had only once called her by her name, then reverted to her title.
He halted mid-step, raising questioning brow at her.
"Please, Lotor," she said, gently squeezing his arm where her hand lay. "I believe, after all you've done to prove yourself to me and the rest of the Alliance, that we both deserve to be on a first name basis."
An unusual warmth bloomed in his chest. He was unable to truly understand the sensation but it relaxed him and made him feel more at ease in her presence. The newly anointed emperor was self-admittedly flattered by her approval, and even a bit excited to know that the Altean goddess had finally accepted him as her equal. Although part of him was unnerved by his own small happiness, he allowed himself to revel in this new feeling.
There was never time for indulging in ones emotions in his world. But for the first time he found it hard to deny himself. The way her aqueous blue eyes glinted in the low light of the residual quintessence sent a little shiver up his spine. It was a rare moment that she was being openly kind to him. The first had been immediately following his father's death, but last night's interaction and now this...it had his mind reeling.
The argent emperor turned to face the princess, his expression softened, lightly grasping her upper arm. The intimate gesture set Allura's nerves on fire. The sizzling sensation rippled up her arm through her shoulder and neck to the base of her skull. The emotion had changed yet again. A nuance that hadn't been there before. She was seeing a new side of the Galran Prince.
Lotor felt his pulse race. She had quickly become one of the few people whose respect truly mattered to him, and now had given her own sort of blessing. Finally, they were able to spend time together, without interruption. There was so much to be said. He didn't know where to begin, except perhaps with his gratitude.
"You honor me...Allura," he replied, reacquainting his tongue with her name. He ran his hand down her arm and clasped her hand between his own. "I'm glad we are now on equal footing."
Allura's breath caught as she felt him subconsciously connecting with her, seemingly trying to latch onto her spiritually. It was becoming apparent that he was indeed drawn to her, which both exhilarated and cautioned her. She exhaled slowly and gave a quiet nod, unable to shake the sentimental feeling that seeped into her veins.
Could Lotor be bringing me some place with an emotional connection? He seems to be wearing his heart on his sleeve right now. It's unlike him to be so open and vulnerable.
Then it hit her. Trust. One only opens their heart and mind to others, allowing others to feel their energy in this way when they trust someone.
She took his arm once again and they headed to the end of a long corridor. Two large metal doors opened wide for them and the stepped into a cavernous space, with large arched ceilings. There where smaller corridors lined with shelves full of assorted items.
Allura got an odd, uncomfortable feeling from her surroundings. As if there was a lingering negativity steeped in everything around them.
"What is the place?" she finally asked.
"Haggar's Lair."
Her blood ran cold. She had instantly sensed there was something foul lacing the air in the room.
"Why would you bring me here?" What is it about this collection you adamantly thought I needed to see?
Lotor's explanation gave her little reprieve. She was still incredibly uncomfortable being in the dreaded witch's lair.
"I shouldn't be here," she said as she turned to leave.
Lotor felt desperate for her to understand why she needed to explore the collection of items in the room. He reached for her hand.
"Allura..."
She froze as his warm hand grasped hers. His voice, soft and pleading, begged her to stay. The intuitive Altean could sense his underlying panic. His smooth mask began to crumble before her very eyes. Those emotions that he attempted to hide from others were on full display to her.
"Please, I cannot do this without you."
She sighed and reluctantly agreed, upon seeing the look in his eyes. She would do this for him.
He has given me so much help, the least I can do is return the favor.
When she finally agreed, the relief poured off of him. There was an understanding in his gaze. He knew this may be unsettling for her, and he was eternally grateful for her cooperation.
When she found the science log, and Lotor revealed that his mother was the renowned Honerva, it suddenly all made sense. Their innate connection, his willingness to join in their alliance, and the increasing gravitational pull toward each other. It warmed her heart. There was one more Altean-well, half-but still. His features, in many ways, were undeniably high Altean, like her own family. The princess surmised that Honerva, having been an exceptional alchemist, may very well have been at least partially of high Altean descent.
As they continued their search, Lotor revealed his further knowledge and thirst for a connection to his lost heritage.
He seemed to know she had certain powers as an alchemist. Allura wondered if he had some untapped magical and alchemical powers himself. There was a deep-seated feeling blossoming within her that uprooted every preconception she had of him. She could now see how many layers he had and the urge to peel back those layers one by one overtook her.
Lotor was pleasantly surprised by Allura's change of heart. As soon as she realized he was Altean and had educated himself on ancient Altean alchemy, the was a shift in the way she spoke to him. She was opening up and placing her trust in him. His chest felt lighter, he felt like there truly was hope.
With the discovery of the compass stone, Allura revealed her lack of self-confidence, comparing herself to her father.
She's too strong of heart and mind to be as impotent as she thinks she is. This woman radiates light like a sun. Her quintessent nature is so beautifully pure.
His heart ached as she began to cry.
And then it happened. The stone unlocked and revealed the path to the next stage of their journey.
Oriande.
Overwhelmed and overjoyed, the two royals began to see the true potential of their collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose to their new kinship.
They hurried to collect the rest of the paladins. Shiro and Coran had just been finish their task, and were backing up the data they had synced. Pidge, Hunk and Lance looked injured...and covered in food goo.
Allura merely gave them a look, before turning to Lotor.
"How long until we're ready to depart?" She asked matter-of-fact.
"We?" Lance muttered, warranting a look from the princess that screamed "You have no ground to stand on right now, looking like that." He shut up and sulked.
Lotor touched her arm again, bringing a blush to her cheeks.
"I should be less then one hour," the emperor replied. "I will make all necessary preparations here, as well as provide extra provisions for the voyage."
"Thank you, Lotor," she said, smiling softly with a nod.
The sapphire-eyed royal shook his head lightly, "No, Allura, it is I who should be thanking you."
He turned and started briskly, off to his duties.
Everyone turned and looked at her.
"So you and the purple people eater are on a first name basis now?" Lance asked in disbelief.
"And all touchy-feely to boot?" Pidge looked at the blushing Princess.
"All right you guys, you have no room to talk," she said turning on her 'princess mode'. "You three look like you got yourselves into some serious trouble."
"We had a popsicle truce, it's all good," Hunk chimed in, refuting the claim.
Allura simply shook her head. "I don't want to know."
As promised it been only about forty-five minutes before Lotor arrived on the ship, he had them unlock the loading dock to allow provisions to be loaded onto the ship.
"So, Princess, would you care to fill us in as to why the Emperor is suddenly accompanying us?"
Allura gave them a bright smile. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. "It will have to wait till the briefing when we are done here. I first want Lotor to get settled in. He may be with us for a bit."
She had a bit of a curious spring in her step as she turned to her handsome guest and gestured forward.
"Shall I show you to your quarters?" she welcomed with an air of hospitality.
"Lead the way," he replied imitating her gesture, his voice ever smooth and gentlemanly. He paid the paladins no mind and his eyes solely focused on the Princess. A oddly genuine smile tinged with the tenderness of a smitten man graced his lips as the royal duo wandered off the bridge.
The four other paladins and the elder Altean advisor all gaped at the departing duo before looking to the others for answers to their curious questions.
Lance sulked, "What the heck is going on?"
Shiro's brow furrowed. Coran blinked in disbelief. Pidge looked warily to Hunk, who merely shrugged.
"I guess we'll find out soon enough."
"Are you hungry, Lotor?" Allura asked, as any gracious host would.
He shook his head. "I dined just before your arrival earlier."
She nodded. They headed past the paladins' quarters, into a larger corridor with only two towering sets of doors at opposite ends. Lotor looked from one door to the other, then to her, questions evident in his violet visage.
"The door down there on the left are my quarters," she explained with a small flourish of her hand. "Those there across the way...were my father's."
"Allura, I don't have-"
"You are the emperor, Lotor. And you are my ally," she said, nostalgia lacing her words. "Please stay in the room that was truly fit for a king."
Lotor bowed slightly, taking Allura's hand in a gentlemanly gesture and gently pressed his lips to the top of it.
"You are truly a gracious host, and I am humbled by your offering."
The Altean princess felt the heat rise to her cheeks. It had been so long since anyone had treated her like this. He released her hand and she led him to the doors to the long-ignored royal suite of the Castle of Lions.
It was simplistic, but spacious. Alfor traveled in this ship, so the rooms were more utilitarian than lavish. Allura was not surprised that it was very much like her own. The doors opened to a sitting area. The space was warmly lit in soft hues of blue and gold. Off to the side was the sleeping quarters, complete with king-size bed, a large desk with a telescreen and enough storage space for at least two people.
"That door over there should be to the private bath," she directed him, "So you don't have to worry about sharing."
But what if I wanted to share? he thought to himself before instantly reprimanding himself. This is not the time to be thinking of these sorts of things. We are on our way to Oriande!
He pushed his warring thoughts aside and nodded his thanks.
"Thank you, Allura," he replied. "I'm sure that after whatever may transpire in Oriande, I will readily welcome this respite."
Now that he had his bearings, and his sparse extra belongings in place, the two headed back to the bridge.
Despite being met with some dissent, Allura and Lotor pressed the others to stay open to the likely reality of the mythical land they sought. The coordinates came up, indicating danger ahead, but Allura was now adamant about reaching their goal.
Lotor and Allura encouraged the other in the confidence that this was a key step in achieving their shared ambitions of universal peace.
Coran did as he was told and set course for the Petrulian Zone.
The pure and intense light radiating from the white hole was both entrancing and blinding.
That's where we need to head, isn't it? The princess wondered.
After even more debate, they took to their lions. Much to their surprise and chagrin, they failed miserably as the mysterious guardian refused the paladins of Voltron. Until Lotor's voice tore through their comm units.
"You need to get out of there!"
Floating their way back to the castle from their defunct lions, the princess wracked her brain for a solution, but none was forthcoming.
Arriving back the bridge, her eyes immediately found Lotor. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized...
Lotor! He has Altean markings? And they're glowing?
After being bombarded with questions from the paladins, he directed the attention to the princess. When she took her helmet off, she realized her marks were iridescent as well. Looking back to Lotor, his markings suddenly shedding light on many things.
If he is also chosen by the ancients, then he must have some kind of latent magical and alchemical power. Maybe he hasn't manifested them yet? I wonder if I could help him tap into it? Surely, it is a sign from the Ancients...
She had to fight the urge to reach out and touch the Emperor's markings. She couldn't let her herself be so bold. Every synapse in her brain seemed to rapid fire with possibilities.
But now, she had to keep focused on their mission.
The two Chosen Alteans took to their personal transports, sailing into the white hole toward the White Lion guardian. In a flash, the skies cleared into a beautiful scenery bathed in rosy hues. The beauty of Oriande was overwhelming.
If only there was time to actually explore.
After landing, they headed deeper into the the mysterious realm, without any further clues.
Allura and Lotor looked at each other for just a moment.
"Lotor, we're really here," she breathed. He smiled at her, then tried to take in more of their surroundings. She followed suit, pointing toward a precipice. "I feel a calling from this direction."
They were silent for a while, when Allura broke the silence once again.
"You know, Lotor...if you bear the mark of the Chosen, you may have stronger Altean genetics than you realize," she said, theorizing aloud.
Lotor eyed her quizzically. "How so?"
"Well, you easily recognized my connection to Altean magic and alchemy, and you seem to at least grasp the concept of how it works...Have you considered that you may have that connection, too?"
Lotor frowned. "In all my years, all the moments I tried to comprehend what that connection could be like..." He shook his head. "I fear my Galra blood keeps the Altean side of me at bay."
Allura stopped short and shrugged at the man who nearly ran into her. "Maybe you haven't had the proper guidance?"
"Perhaps..." Lotor considered her logic. The princess had a point. "But now is not the time. Whatever it is we are to find here, we take that knowledge with us and head back to the ship."
"Later, then," she suggested as they continued forward. "I won't rest until my curiosity has been satisfied."
Lotor nodded, and they began their upward trek.
As the reached the peak, Allura reminisced, pondering her father. Lotor's heart mellowed with a somber ache. Allura's father had been an exceptional man. Wishing for a moment he had had Alfor for a father instead of his own. Around Allura, he felt that he could be unusually candid about these things, and suddenly the stream of consciousness went into a sad story of what he felt was a moment of weakness.
For a moment he thought about all of the wonderful people he had met on that particular planet long ago, and how successful he felt his project had gone. Then the horrible image of being confined to a cruiser, watching as all those people lost their lived in a instant, instantly followed.
He had wanted equilibrium: Help the empire without destroying everything in his path... Never taking more than what was necessary and always giving back to those who aided him.
In his centuries away from the home base, Lotor started to learn about what a vast and unfathomably beautiful place the universe was. He didn't want to abuse its inhabitants. They all had a right to exist peacefully-Just like the long-lost Alteans.
And now, his centuries of exile spent obsessively seeking out his Altean roots lead him to this very moment. Try as he might, his righteous anger was beginning to sink its claws into his mood. Until she spoke up.
"I'm glad you're here to help me now. I would have never gotten here without you."
His own truth recalled from the previous day.
"I can't do this without you..."
He realized then and there, they shared a mutual appreciation for each other.
They were a team. They could do this...together.
That unshakable feeling returned to his chest, bubbling contentment that melted onto his face in a soft smile. He turned to discover a warm and accepting expression meant only for him.
They both could feel something bright and intangible deepening the connection between them.
Lotor didn't know what to make of it. He felt strangely at ease in her presence. As if he could unload ten millennia's worth of struggle, victories and failures alike- all those lessons learned, and she wouldn't shun him like his parents had, like the Galra had...like his own trusted subordinates had.
Once over the precipice of the mountain, they beheld a bright light emanating from a large pyramid in the distance.
They had finally found it: The Temple of the Alchemists.
Once they stood at the gates, their fates began to unfold. The white lion beckoned them within, and their test began. Each their own universal understanding was put to the test as their lives flashed before their eyes, their reactions mirroring the ideals instilled in them throughout their lives.
Lotor was, for the first time in his long life filled with pure fear. He had searched for so long to reach this moment. How was he supposed to defeat this guardian and gain the ancient knowledge he coveted? Fight or flight mentality took hold in the death grip of panic. And to his horror, it failed him.
Allura reverted to her first instinct as well, though hers was not that of fear, but the wisdom of love and light. She assessed the guardian while defending herself. And her soul unlocked to the secrets through her self-sacrifice, receiving the blessing of the ancients.
Life begets life.
Lotor, upon arriving back at the entryway of of the Temple, shouted at the heavens and cursed his Galra blood. He came to the realization of a sobering truth: he had much to learn about Altean alchemy. Part of him wanted to internalize this as yet another failure. But he was also now all the more determined that Allura would be the conduit; not only for the Galra but also for his own enlightenment. Now more than ever, he wished to find the magical ability within him that Allura believed he may possess. All his life the Galran approach had failed him, and he constantly sought the wisdom of the ancients. There had to be a reason he was chosen. Allura would surely help him find it.
In ten thousand years, he had never felt such hope. Never truly trusted. The Galran Prince may have been a man of his word, but his priorities, self-preservation and personal achievement, were always kept close to the chest. Never had he been this honest with himself or anyone else. The now-emperor never knew true peace to be possible for the universe, nor for his own soul, until now.
His answer appeared in a sudden flash of light.
Allura stood there, radiant and sublime, her smiling eyes finding his.
And it was then that he understood his inner musings.
Centuries upon centuries of searching...and the light in this perpetual darkness has found me.
He gave her a sad smile.
"I assume the Ancients have welcomed you with open arms, Allura. You are positively glowing. I congratulate you on finding what you were looking for."
Her smile fell. "Lotor, are you alright?"
"Even after ridding the universe of my father's tyranny, I could say that I was fine," he admitted with a sigh. "But this..." He gestured toward the Temple, "like so many other things I have attempted to do of my own accord...I failed."
"Lotor," Allura called, pulling him from the downward spiral of frustration. She stepped into his personal space and rested her hand on his breastplate. Her gaze riveted him on the spot. "You are not a failure."
"But I-"
"You haven't quite learned what it means to be Altean, yet. That's why you didn't pass the test." Her voice softened, "I promise to teach you, if you wish to learn."
"I do, Allura. Both for myself and for the ultimate benefit of the universe."
Allura smiled up at him. "Now that was very Altean of you." She patted his chest lightly. "But first, you must open your heart without reservation to everything around you...It not just of the mind. It is a connection of the spirit to the whole."
She closed her eyes and suddenly a blue aura shimmered around them. Neither warm nor cold, the energy tingled throughout his body. His synapses sizzled with stimulation, making him slightly dizzy. As his eyes slid shut, he could see the bright light behind his eyelids; a river flowing through him and pooling at various points in his body: His crown, his forehead, the nape of his neck, his chest, his stomach, his groin, his feet.
His breath caught in his throat as every emotion he'd ever experienced hit him like a Galran cannon. It was like a flood gate had opened somewhere within him. Tears pricked the corners of his eyes, and smile fought its way onto his lips. He body vibrated, seeming weightless in the flood.
A gasp escaped his lips as he succumbed to the soul-searing sensation, as if his inner self was stretching in every direction, as if he had suddenly grown like ivy into the the furthest reaches of the galaxy.
As Allura relented, the earth beneath his feet became tangible, grounding Lotor once again, his eyes opening wide and swallowing hard. Breath came in slow, labored inhalations as he regained his senses.
"By the Ancients, Allura..."
She went to pull her hand away, but his hand lifted to cover hers against his chest.
"I want to learn-to know-that."
She chuckled softly. "In time, but first learn to connect to yourself. I know you have the magic in you, Lotor. I have been able to sense something for a while now. I simply had to test it for myself. The fact that the energy so deeply affected you is proof. We will work on it. But we need to get back to the ship and the others." She pulled her hand away slowly. "When we have a quiet moment later, yes?"
His heart remained light, like remnants of that sacred energy pulling at his spirit, as they began their trek back out of Oriande.
In that moment he finally began to see that was no longer just half-Galra or half-Altean, with this indescribable thing awakening within him, he would be whole.