Now for the Legal Disclaimer: Voltron and characters associated with the series(and the short lived Devil's Due comic book) are property of World Event Productions(W.E.P.) and are not mine. I do not own or claim the Voltron Fandom. No profit is made from this work. It is strictly a fan fiction loosely based upon the Voltron series from the 80's. However, all original characters(this means characters not known to be in the Voltron series or comic book) are mine. These are characters from my imagination(Avian, Genar, Kezrin, Danzar, Leena, Loeena, Keltor, Sylvana, Kaladan, and Nomey) are my characters and I ask that they not be used without permission from myself. I redid this disclaimer as on another board my disclaimer was not appropriately detailed so I'm giving this revised one to cover my tail feathers.

Chapter 4: Realization

Through the night Lotor tried to sleep. He'd learned to adjust to the cold stone floor with water constantly staining its surface. The minor aches and pains of his labor he could have ignored. But the brutal sting of the whip continued to prevail upon his injured body long after the torture had ended. Any way he moved he felt the lacerations stretch with his skin causing him immense agony. He could still hear the angry shouts of the other slaves ringing in his ears.

"How does the whip feel you monster! Now you know how we feel!"

"I hope you carry those scars for the rest of your miserable life!"

"How do they endure this night after night and day after day?" He thought to himself.

All too soon his restless sleep was ended by the snap of whip outside his cell. It was time to go to work. He struggled to get to his feet. His back still aching along with the rest of his body, yet he offered no protest as he was shackeled and led to the mines. He took his mining pick and began to bore into the wall as was his task now. He was tired, hungry and in great pain. Yet he continued to work. He heard several guards walking past making sure the workers did not take any unscheduled breaks. The guards began to talk of King Zarkon and his marriage to princess Coralle. Though he kept his eyes focused upon the wall, his ears were intently listening to every word being said.

"Yes, King Zarkon has taken a new bride in Princess Coralle. She graciously accepted his proposal to become his queen and bear him a new heir to his throne." One guard said.

"And now that he has a new queen he plans on launching a new assualt on Planet Arus. Voltron doesn't stand a chance now that the king is in full control of the attack plans. Planet Arus will be conqured. King Zarkon has already assured lord Kargos there will be plenty of new slaves to work the mines. We're going to be in need of new workers seeing as so many have expired." Another responded.

"Perhaps Zarkon will be generous and throw in the Arusian Princess. We could use some fresh entertainment around here."

Lotor fought to keep himself from turning around and getting into another fight. The very thought of Allura being made into a mine worker or worse made his blood boil. Then came a thought that made his blood run cold. She was still the pilot of the blue lion. Now that Zarkon was in total control, no mercy would be shown to the young princess. It could very well mean her death.

"No, not her. Anyone but her!" He thought. Allura was in danger and there was nothing he could do about it. What if she did manage to survive the war? He didn't like the potential future she could be headed for. Being forced to mine lazon on Carnos, reduced to a domestic servant in castle Doom, or even worse. What if Zarkon decided to take a more personal interest in the princess. The very idea of him putting his hands on Allura made Lotor sick to his stomach.

"But at one time I was no different. The first time I laid eyes on Allura I wanted her as my personal slave. The very things my father may do to her would have been the very same things I would have done. But at least I would have ensured she enjoyed it. She wouldn't with...him." He thought as he continued boring into the wall.

"No. I can't let that happen to her. I...I love her too much to let her be condemned to that sort of life. Damn my father if he can't stand the fact that I love her. I won't let him hurt her."

He banged his pick harder and harder against the wall letting his frustration show. "I have to get out of here. I have to warn her even if she does hate me. I may never have her as my bride, but at least I can try to keep her safe." He thought with a new found determination.


Some distance away on planet Arus, the Castle of Lions may have appeared peaceful on the outside. Inside however; there was much apprehension and unrest. Prime minister Coran had been given word of the impending attack on the planet. One of the allies of the Galaxy Alliance informed him of Zarkon's plans and also of his marriage to Princess Coralle. The news both gave him a reason to worry, and also a small reason for relief.

He took in a deep breath as he prepared to address the members of the Voltron force and Princess Allura. The five lion pilots, one of them being the princess herself, assembled in the control room to hear Coran's announcement.

"Good. I've gathered you all here because I've distressing news. Through an envoy from one of our allies I have learned that King Zarkon is planning to launch an attack upon planet Arus." He said.

"Great. Another chance to send his bratty kid home crying and another robeast to the scrap heap. Why should that be such a big deal?" Lance asked nonchalantly.

"I'm afraid it's not going to be as easy as that. You see, I've also recieved word that King Zarkon has taken a new bride, Princess Coralle. That can only mean one thing. He has entered into marital union with a woman of royal blood to produce a new heir to his throne." Coran replied.

"You mean..." Hunk began.

"Yes. That can only mean that Lotor must be dead. Zarkon would not go to the trouble to take a new wife for any other reason other than he now has no heir to his crown. We can take this as a small measure of relief that Lotor will no longer be a threat to Princess Allura." Coran answered.

"Well, good bye and good riddence to the bastard. Least he won't be around to harrass the princess anymore." Lance said brashly.

"Young man! Kindly watch your langauge! I will not have your filthy mouth uttering such curses around the princess." Nanny scolded sternly.

"Lotor is...dead?" Allura thought with a mix of relief and regret. She remembered the three words he had said to her before their last encounter ended. "I love you."

"I guess you must be pretty relieved he won't be around to bother you anymore eh princess. Princess?" Pidge asked noticing the distant look in Allura's eyes.

"Princess, you ok?" Keith asked.

"I...I don't take joy in anyone's death, not even Lotor's. He was a terrible man, but still a wasted life is no cause for celebration." Allura answered.

"Can't you men see that this poor girl has been through too much already? Come with me my dear. I'm taking you to your room so you can get some rest." Nanny said as she insistantly ushered Allura away from the control room.

"Perhaps Nanny is right. Princess Allura has been under far too much stress as of late. We should leave her to rest for now. When her mind is calm she will be more focused upon the situation at hand." Coran replied.

"Look, she's a member of the team and all, but I honestly don't thinks she should be piloting the blue lion in the condition she's in. I mean, that last confrontation she had with Lotor and all. She needs a break." Keith suggested.

"I agree. She can best serve her people here on the ground. Sven is still on planet Pollux with Princess Romelle. I will send a message to him that he must take Allura's place as pilot of the blue lion once again. I know Allura will not take it easily at first, but we're doing this for her own good. Piloting the blue lion is a greater risk for her now than it ever was. Lotor was never merciful upon any of you, but he at least did have concern for the princess's welfare. Zarkon however, will not have the same concerns. He would certainly end her life if given the chance." Coran said.

The team nodded their heads in unified agreement. "It's what's best for the princess. It's just too dangerous for her to pilot the blue lion now. Get Sven here as soon as you can. I don't doubt Zarkon isn't going to take his sweet time with this attack. Now that Lotor's out of the way, he won't show us any mercy." Keith replied.

"Agreed." Coran said.


"I never meant to hurt you Allura. I do love you. I only wish I could make you believe that." The words played over and over in Allura's mind as she lay on her bed trying to come to terms with the news she'd recieved.

"Is he dead? Is he really dead?" She asked herself. She let out a frustrated sigh as she clutched her favorite pillow tightly in her arms.

"I love you." Those three words she played back over and over like a tape recorder. "How can he love me? He never understood what love was. Did he?"

"I do love you. I only wish I could make you believe that."

"How can a man who destroyed so many lives and enslaved so many innocent people know about love? He was the son of Zarkon. Zarkon has no conception of what love is. How could his own son be any different?"

Allura tossed and turned trying to make sense of the situation. She found herself beginning to question her own feelings about the man she had long feared. "Yet he could have killed me at any time. He could have taken me by force. Several times he tried. But something always held him back. So many battles he had his chance to destroy the blue lion knowing I was piloting it. Yet he always held back. I feel so confused." Allura said as tears began to fall from her eyes.

"Could he have truly meant what he said, even if it was in his own mind."


Another day of work ended on Carnos. The workers were taken back to their cells. Lotor entered his prison and sat down on the floor. A whirlwind of emotions and questions stormed within his mind. He knew Allura was in grave danger. And at present he could do nothing about it.

"I have to get out of here. My father will show her no mercy. I don't know if he'll take more joy in her death or in her suffering. Why was I so cruel to her? Why can't I just be honest with myself? I love her. The universe doesn't matter to me anymore. All that matters now is her. I have to save her." He thought to himself.

"Hurry up wench! I haven't got all night." Kargos barked at a young woman. She was given the task of serving the other workers their dinner, scant as it was. Her name was Miranda. Once she had been a striking beauty. While she was still a lovely young woman, much of her beauty was now marred by the dirt and filth she was forced to work in. Her lovely hair, once shiny and lusterous like spun gold was now a dull and dirty brown. Her ivory skin was now covered in dirt and dust from all the constant mining.

She walked into Lotor's cell and set a small bowl in front of him. It contained a rather crude and unappetizing stew. But seeing as he hadn't eaten in over a day he wasn't going to complain. He said nothing as she set the food on the ground. She quickly exited the cell, but gave Lotor a quick backwards glance. Her eyes were kind and sympathetic in their expression.

He thought nothing of it at first. She was just doing what she was told to do. But why would she give him a second look. It didn't matter at the moment. He was practically starving as he started voraciously eating. Perhaps he would be able to think better with food in his stomach. Normally he would have been bothered by the other slaves watching him eat in such a manner. But at the moment he didn't care. He only knew he had to get food into his body to rebuild his strength.

As he finished his meal he thought about the young woman who'd brought it to him. Despite the hell she was forced to endure, she still had a warm and friendly look in her eyes. He found himself imagining what she would have looked like outside of the slave mines. Then he found himself superimposing Allura's face over that of the young woman named Miranda. This could be Allura's fate.

Her beautiful golden hair dulled by dirt and darkness. Her perfect skin covered with filth and her sky blue eyes and warm smile reduced to a blank expression. If Zarkon did not kill Allura, this would be her future. He saw Allura's fate in the fate of young Miranda. He buried his face in his hands knowing this could very well become a reality. Death would be a more merciful fate. But as he himself had learned, Zarkon was not a merciful king.

"I have to get off this planet. But how? No one here is going to help me. I enslaved most of the people here. They'd gladly watch me die a slow death rather than help me off Carnos. I have to escape somehow." He muttered to himself.

"So, finally accepting your lot in life?" A voice asked.

Lotor looked up to find Kargos standing outside his cell. "I thought it might interest you to know your father has taken a new bride, Princess Coralle." He said.

Lotor pretended to be hearing the news for the first time. He was already aware of the fact that Zarkon and Coralle had now joined in matrimony. "Is this supposed to mean anything to me?" Lotor asked trying to keep his temper at bay.

"I suppose not. I just thought it might amuse you to know there will soon be a new prince taking your place." Kargos replied.

"Well you thought wrong. As far as I am concerned I no longer have a father." Lotor growled.

"Be that as it may, soon the king will be commencing plans to attack Arus. I do not doubt he will succeed where you have so often failed. He has no concern for the Arusian princess as you do. I hope that she survives the battle. Perhaps her beauty will brighten up these dark surroundings." Kargos said.

"She'll die before she lets herself be turned into a slave. Her spirit is too strong to be broken by the likes of you or my father." Lotor replied.

"That would indeed be a pity. It has been a long time since we've known the company of a lovely young woman. But if the princess decides to be that foolish..."

"Speak of her that way again and I'll reach through these bars and rip your tongue out." Lotor said shooting Kargos an angry look.

"I'd like to see you try. Besides, before long it won't matter to you anyway. You'll be dead." Kargos warned.

"You've said that several times now, and yet here I remain." Lotor sneered.

"Don't worry. I will change that soon enough. When you beg me for death, then I will see that you get it." Kargos said.

"Then I guess I'll be around for a long time because I never intend to beg you for death or anything else for that matter." Lotor responded defiantly.

"I will see to it you eat those words before take your last breath." Kargos said as he left Lotor's cell.

"And when I get out of here I will see you driven to your knees. Then it will be you begging for mercy. You and my father both."