Sorry once again for the delay. School is really demanding at the moment but I promise to get the rest to you! Thanks Mertz for proofing!!!
I do not own Voltron or the characters.
CMS
Making her way through the quiet corridors of the castle, Allura stops quickly as she feels a wave of dizziness strike her hard. Resting her head in her hand, she leans against the wall, trying to overcome the feeling.
Lotor's voice beams loudly through her head , as the dizziness begins to subside. He tells her, "Come to me Allura...Now!"
Allura pushes off of the wall with her hands and begins to move in the shadows of the corridors. Easily making her way outside, she sees two castle guards standing just on the edge of the walkway that leads to the gardens.
With the guards' back turned to her, Allura quickly and quietly makes her way down the stairs of the stoned porch. She scoots her way through the bushes, being careful not to make a sound. Allura waits a few seconds to make sure there are no other guards around. It is dark and the clouds forbid the stars to shine brightly as she makes her way through the garden and to the open field.
The demanding voice in Allura's head becomes stronger and louder; she has no choice but to continue her journey to find the source of her thoughts.
A sharp pain echoes through Keith's head as he opens his eyes and tries to lift his head off of the bed. Grabbing where the pain is emanating from, Keith sits up and pulls his hand from the wound. He investigates his hand and sees the blood smearing it. "Allura…" he mumbles and quickly rises from the bed.
From the loss of blood, Keith weakens as soon as his feet hit the floor. He grabs the edge of the bed to steady himself and picks up his discarded shirt. Sliding his shirt on, he zips it closed as he staggers out of the room.
Using the wall for leverage, Keith moves down the corridor in the attempt to find Allura. He stops to wipe at the blood with his shirt sleeve as he hears Lance's voice. "Keith? What the hell happened to you?"
"Allura…" he begins to say.
"Princess did this to you?" Lance asks.
Keith nods and loses his balance from weakness. Lance grabs him quickly before he falls. "I better get you to Med Tech."
"I ju..just left from there. I have to find Allura!" Keith demands; forcing the words across his lips.
"Wait…she's not in Med Tech?"
Keith grabs Lance's jacket and wavers in his stance as he spats, "There's no time for this Lance. We have to find Allura!"
"Ok Keith…I'll get the others and we'll find Allura. You're going to Med Tech for stitches and whatever else you may need." Lance calls on his comm. unit for assistance to help Keith get to Med Tech.
As if they were waiting for the call, two castle guards appear. Lance orders, "Escort the Commander to Med Tech. He'll probably fight you on it, but make sure he gets treatment."
The guards nod in understanding and Keith wraps an arm around each one. As he begins to go willingly with the guards, Keith turns his head and says, "Lance…I think she's going to Lotor. Find her."
Lance nods his head and says, "Don't worry about a thing Keith." He turns and makes his way to castle control as he calls Pidge and Hunk on his comm. unit.
Lance runs into Castle control with Hunk and Pidge filing in after him. "Coran, raise the chutes!" Lance yells.
"Why?" he asks.
"Allura's missing! We'll look for her in the lions." Lance says, as Coran lifts the dais.
"What! Allura is missing? Where is Keith?" Coran asks before Lance enters his chute.
As Lance runs, he yells, "In Med Tech!"
"What is he doing in Med Tech if Allura isn't there?" Coran asks himself.
Keith waits impatiently on the exam table. Frustration builds and Keith begins to hop off of the table when Dr. Gorma walks into the room.
Spying the blood seeping from Keith's hairline, Dr. Gorma grabs a bottle of antiseptic and a cotton ball. Walking over to Keith, he asks, "Well Commander, what happened to you?"
Cringing as Dr. Gorma places the saturated cotton ball on his head, Keith says, "Guess the Princess got me back for all the early morning practice drills."
Dr. Gorma pulls the cotton ball away and looks at Keith with confusion. "You mean…the Princess hit you?"
"That's what I mean Dr….now, I need to get out of here fast. All…the Princess is missing and I need to help find her." Keith says with agitation.
Dr. Gorma places the bottle and cotton ball down on a small tray that sits next to Keith on the exam table. He picks up a syringe and begins to place it near Keith's wound.
Keith pulls back and puts his hand up to stop him. "What are you doing?
Dr. Gorma looks at the syringe and then at Keith. "This is to numb you Commander. You need stitches."
Shaking his head, Keith says, "No. I don't need anything. Just stitch it."
"Commander?"
Keith raises his voice, "Just do it!"
Dr. Gorma's eyes widen in shock at Keith's insistence. Keith lowers his head and sighs as he says, "I'm sorry. Please, just hurry. I need to go help the others find the Princess."
Setting the syringe down, Dr. Gorma picks up the tools needed to stitch up Keith's wound. "Very well…let's get to it then."
Controlling his breathing, Keith closes his eyes tightly as Dr. Gorma begins stitching. His knuckles turn white as he clutches the edge of the table with both hands hard.
A few minutes pass, and Dr. Gorma finishes. "There you go Commander. You are clear to go rescue our Princess."
Keith opens his eyes and Dr. Gorma helps him slowly get down from the table. "Thank you doctor." Keith begins walking out of the room when Dr. Gorma says, "Please Commander, be careful. I know how much the Princess means to you. She means a lot to all of us, but you are injured."
Nodding his head in reply, Keith walks out.
As he walks into Castle Control, Keith sees the room buzzing with activity. Castle guards are getting orders from Coran and moving about the room. Coran notices Keith walk in and steps away from the guard he is talking to.
Walking up to Keith, Coran looks at the bandage that covers his wound. "Keith? Are you alright?"
Nodding his head, Keith replies, "I will be as soon as I know that Allura is alright. Any news?"
Coran sighs and shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. Lance, Hunk and Pidge went up in the lions to see if they could spot her…or anyone else."
Keith's heart tightens as he listens to Coran's words. "Coran, I'm going on horseback to find Allura. She may not be in her right mind, but she knows that we will be looking for her. She isn't going to be out in the open. I have to find her from the ground."
He begins to walk away when Coran stops him. "Keith, Allura knows this countryside better than any of us. You may want to take a few guards with you. Plus, you aren't exactly in good health at the moment."
Keith holds up a hand, "I'll be fine Coran. I'm sure she is going to meet Lotor. They will be where no one will be able to find them easily…especially by air."
Coran nods, "Very well then. Be careful."
Turning away, Keith quickly walks out of the control room.
Making his way to the stables, Keith spots his favorite white horse and quickly fastens the saddle on it. He swings up and sits in the saddle, situating his body so he is comfortable. Briefly, he runs a hand over the horse's mane and says, "Come on boy, take me to her."
Keith squeezes his thighs a bit tighter on the horse and it begins a steady gallop. "I have no idea where to look for you Allura, but I will find you! Please...just hold on."
He begins to think of possible places she would go. "She won't be able to go very far. I don't think I was out that long. She's on foot…this much I know….where? Think Keith! Dammit!"
Stopping the horse, Keith looks up as he sees Red Lion fly above him. He looks into the thick forest not too far from where he is. "The forest? The lions won't be able to see through the thick of it. It's worth a shot!" Keith squeezes harder with his thighs and the horse begins a rapid run towards the forest.
The voice in Allura's head has become a pounding ache. The dizziness is overpowering and she can barely stand. She stops when she hears the powerful rushing of water. Allura staggers out into the opening of the forest where, in the middle, lies a strong, running stream of fresh water.
Allura stops and looks out at it, thinking, "I've always loved this place." She hears his voice again…this time, not in her head.
"Ahh…my beautiful princess. You have come to me…as I knew you would." Lotor holds out his hand for Allura to accept. She hesitates as she tries to fight through the thickening fog in her head. Lotor knits his eyebrows together and says with a stern voice, "Come Allura…it is your destiny."
She begins to move closer to Lotor when she hears the most wonderful voice…in her head.
"Hold on baby…I'm coming…just hold on!"
Allura blinks several times, moving her head from side to side, looking to see if she can find him…Keith. "Keith," his name barely passes her lips.
Lotor senses her hesitation once more and begins to get angry. He demands with a holler, "ALLURA…NOW…COME TO ME!"
Grabbing her head quickly, Allura doubles over on the ground. Lotor comes up to her and grabs her around the shoulders. He lifts her up forcefully and looks into her eyes. "You love me, Allura."
Allura looks deeply into his eyes and as he begins to descend on her lips…Keith calls out to her, "Allura! Don't!"
Lotor swiftly looks up to see Keith standing not too far behind Allura. He smiles and says to her, "He has come to take you away from the man you love Allura. He must be stopped or we will never be together. Kiss me…show him how much we are in love."
Allura's eyes begin to roll back and she begins to weaken. Lotor tightens his grip and pulls her closer to him and she snaps back up. Allura begins to move in closer to Lotor to kiss him when Keith yells the words he has longed to say and she has longed to hear from him, "ALLURA…I LOVE YOU!"
As if the words were magic, the fog begins to dissipate from her mind and her eyes go wide with recognition of where she is. When she begins to struggle against Lotor, he becomes angry. She sees the hatred in his eyes and he spats, "Your Voltron commander will pay for this." Lotor throws Allura to the ground and rushes towards Keith.
With Keith's eyes on Allura, he fails to notice the quickness of Lotor's advance and he tackles Keith to the ground. Knocking the wind out of him as he makes contact with the ground, Lotor begins to pound hard into Keith's stomach with his fists.
Trying to catch his breath, Keith grabs Lotor's head with his hands and quickly swings his head up to make contact with Lotor's. The movement knocks Lotor off of Keith and Keith, as quickly as he can, rolls away from him.
Keith slowly stands, feeling dizzy from the head-but he just gave Lotor. While holding his head, he admits to himself, "That was a dumb move."
Lotor stands, pulling his laser sword from its holster. "Now peasant…you will die at the hands of the Prince of Doom while my bride watches!" He lunges forward with his sword and Keith flips to the side, landing on the ground once more.
Keith kicks Lotor's legs out from under him and Lotor falls. Jumping to his feet, Keith runs over to Lotor, kicking his sword from his hand and Lotor growls at the loss of his weapon.
All Allura is able to do is sit and watch as her head is still fighting the war of dizziness. Tears fall from her face as she fails in trying to stand, desperately trying to go to the man she loves to help him. She thinks, "I'm trying Keith…please be careful!"
Lotor gets up on his knees to stand, but is kicked in the jaw by Keith. He flies back into the rushing shallow water of the stream. As he sees Keith running toward him, he picks up a large loose rock from the water. Keith rushes towards Lotor as he begins to stand. Reaching him, Lotor swings the rock at him but Keith is too quick and grabs Lotor's wrist. "You play dirty Asshole." Keith says through clenched teeth.
Lotor breaths heavily, "And I will win!" Lotor tries to overpower Keith, but Keith matches his strength. The rock falls from Lotor's hand. Sensing he is losing, Lotor kicks his leg out, hitting Keith hard in the groin. Doubling over in pain, Keith releases Lotor. As Keith is kneeling, Lotor knees him in the face, causing his head to swing back. Keith begins spitting out blood as he is still doubled over in pain.
Standing up, Lotor laughs. He looks over to the dazed princess and says, "What will you do with a lover that can't perform Allura?" Lotor walks over to his sword and picks it up. Confidently walking back to where Keith is hunched, he kneels next to him and lifts him by the back of his shirt slightly. He turns Keith on his back to look into his eyes.
Holding his sword up high, ready to impale Keith, he says, "I want to see the life fade from your eyes as I kill you." Lotor lifts the sword higher and as he begins to swing his sword, he feels something hard against his skull.
The sword drops to the ground as Keith moves out of its way, Lotor following not far behind.
Allura drops the rock she just used to hit Lotor with and falls to her knees, still a bit dizzy. She crawls over to Keith and grabs the front of his shirt, pulling him with all her might up to her. Wrapping her arms around him, she asks, "Are you alright?"
Keith wipes the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and says, "I've seen better days..." He looks at her with concern as he places a palm on her cheek. "Please tell me you're ok."
She smiles and says, "I will be…as long as you're with me. Keith, did you mean what you said? Do…you love me?"
Running a finger over her lips, Keith looks deeply into her loving eyes as he expresses, "I love you more than anything Allura. I would do anything for you. I wish I didn't take so long to tell you…and if I didn't have blood all over me, I would kiss you…madly."
Smiling slightly, Allura says, "Oh I don't care about that." She places her hand behind Keith's neck and pulls his lips to hers. She kisses him softly then gently rubs the tip of her nose on the tip of his.
Keith begins to chuckle as he tries to stand. "What's so funny?" Allura asks as she helps him to his feet.
"I was just thinking what Lance would say about this."
"What?"
"He would say, 'that takes real balls Keith'." Allura looks at Keith wide eyed and begins to laugh with him.
Keith sits down on a nearby bolder and grabs his comm. unit. "Lance, I found Allura. I also have a guest for the cells."
"Lotor? You have him?" Lance asks over the airwaves.
"Yep."
"I'll be right down. Ah…where are you?" Lance asks.
"We're in the forest, where the stream begins to widen…you won't be able to land the lions in here."
"Got it Keith, we'll be there shortly. McClain out."
Keith drops the comm. unit and grabs his stomach as he sighs. Allura notices how pale he is and places a hand on his shoulder as she kneels in front of him. "Keith, we should get you to Dr. Gorma."
"I'll be fine…it just isn't everyday a gorgeous woman ,that I happen to be head over heels for, gets me excited, knocks me over the head with a lamp, makes me come search for her, then, getting the shit kicked out of me."
"I'm so sorry Keith…I hope I can make it up to you …somehow."
Keith looks up into her face and smiles, "Oh, I am sure I can think of something." The engines of the lions are heard overhead and Keith begins to stand. Sighing, he says, "I'm feeling a little better now."
"You are such a bad liar." Allura admits as Lance and Hunk come rushing in to where they stand.
"Allura! How…how are you feeling?" Lance says.
"I'm fine Lance. It's Keith that needs help."
Lance eyes Keith up and down and asks, "What happened to you? Ole blue balls kick your ass?"
Cringing, Keith says through clenched teeth, "Don't talk to me about blue balls or any other kind of balls for that matter."
Lance realizes what he is referring to and gasps. "Oh….wow….well…." Turning his head to Hunk, he says, "Hey Hunk, let's get Lotor to the holding cell. I'm sure he's going to need some ice on his bal…head."
Keith snaps his head at Lance and says, "I should be used to you by now."
Hunk lifts Lotor's unconscious body from the ground and Lance bounds his hands behind him. "Hey Cap," Hunk says, "I'll go ahead and take creepy here to the cell block. You guys want to hitch a ride with Lance?"
Keith says, "Well, I guess we should…seeing how I won't be on horseback for awhile."
Lance snickers and says, "Or doing any other extracurricular activities."
Shaking his head, Keith and Allura walk towards the Red lion.
