Decided I didn't want to work on other things, so you get another chapter. For those of you who read the old version of this fic, the last few chapters are where the changes really took off. I am really happy with where this story went while I was revising it. A whole new ending, a lot more action, same old fluff and happy ending (in a few more chapters).
And without further ado, Chapter 11 time, It's Party Time!
"You heard my... wife. Just a... little advice... don't piss her off."
The collective gasp at the revelation caused everyone to pause a moment.
"Did she say what I think she said?" Hunk asked.
"But when..."
"Doesn't matter, you heard the lady, we're going on the offensive." Lance smiled as the cruiser came into sight.
Much like Keith and the shuttle, the Drule cruiser had seen better days. For the last several minutes on its trail, the Lions had to deal with a large debris field and inconsistent engines causing them to slow down and keep their distance until the right moment to strike.
"We all know our roles in this? We don't get a do-over. And I don't think Keith can take much more of Lotor's company. He's overstayed his welcome."
"I'm ready." Alex cheered ready for action. "Oh, and by the way Lance, you're not getting this kitty back anytime soon!" She blasted past the others to get into a better position to stop the cruiser from continuing on its course.
"That is impossible." Lotor spat venom looking from the Princess on the screen to the man at his feet.
"Believe what you will. You have one last chance to avoid all out war. And another reminder, it is not only Arus that will take the offensive, but you are putting the Alliance in a sticky position murdering their top liaison and political connection to Voltron for this side of the galaxy."
Zarkon, from his place on planet Doom stood silent trying to assess the situation. Everyone had a breaking point. The death of the commander, the so called King of Arus might break the woman before them… and with that unleash a dangerous foe.
"My dear Princess Allura," Zarkon sneered into his view screen, now connected to the Pullox cruiser as well, "May I offer you my sincerest congratulations on your marriage. However, are you quite sure you wish to make Voltron an offensive weapon? What about the memory of your dear father?"
"I am sick of you and your son terrorizing my planet. I will do what I must so that my future children are free of the likes of you. Now return my husband or I will come and get him, and mark my words, I will not be responsible for the losses you will endure."
"A tempting offer my dear. I have to say I am pleased to finally see you taking control instead of hiding behind your advisor. However, I am afraid that you will be a widower at such a young age."
Lotor smiled at his father's words and walked over to Keith.
"You dare touch her? You ruin what was mine to possess? You will die a slow death and I will enjoy every minute of her screams as she watches!"
"Will you quit telling me that. I'm still alive…" Keith hissed feeling pride in Allura standing up to Doom. While her little fib had its purpose, he wasn't sure their reaction would be what she was hoping. "And I don't plan on dying for a long time!"
The communication line was disconnected as the ship lurched to the side by unseen forces. Pulling the last bits of his strength together, Keith was on his feet. Seeing his chance with his guard losing their grip on his arms in the confusion, Keith swiftly rammed his shoulder against Lotor.
Both men toppled to the ground with matching grunts of pain and confusion.
"You've failed again. Seems like pretty solid track record for you." Keith rolled off the downed Prince and quickly contorted his body so that his bound arms were no longer behind him. Feeling the muscles scream out in pain, Keith tried to keep focused on staying alive till the calvary arrived.
'Hurry up guys… I'm kind of in a lot of trouble here.'
"It looks like the Lions are starting their attack." Sven said putting his hand on Allura's shoulder. "And I guess I should also offer you some congratulations? You both sure work fast." He raised an eyebrow at the woman that was so similar to his own fiancée Romelle.
"Well, the king thing might have been a bit premature, but he will be my husband officially soon enough." Allura smiled. "I just hope Lance and the rest get him quickly."
"Don't worry. Keith looked to be good spirits and with him talking back to Lotor, he was showing us that he trusted us. He'll be causing you to pull your hair in frustration soon enough."
"Thanks Sven." Allura smiled knowing exactly how Keith was going to behave during his recovery time.
"Should we contact Coran?" Sven offered trying to keep her mind off Keith's condition.
"Yes, but first can you patch me into Lance, I want to know if we can help any in the run."
"Commence run team. The big guy and I will dock and pick up our little lost King." Even with the dangerous situation surrounding them, Lance couldn't help but smile as he watched his sister and Red Lion. The younger girl easily took to the lion and was making easy work of the ship's thrusters. It was now dead in the water, which meant is was his turn to pay a visit to the Prince of Doom.
Yellow and Black Lion attached to the top of the crippled ship. Making it into the ship was a piece of cake for the expertly trained men. Slipping through a few airlocks and past an unguarded maintenance shute, both were ready for anything. As Lance and Hunk, blasters drawn and ready, rushed through the halls they met with only minimal resistance.
When they did encounter fighters, it was pitiful. The ship's alarms blaired and underpaid and under trained Drules would rather save their own lives than fight a losing battle. The robots seemed to be in a similar state of disarray with the loss of power and communication from the ship.
"Pidge is messing with their systems something good." Hunk smiled as they made their way to the control bridge quickly.
"Layout schematics, say this is the bridge." The larger man continued as he stopped in front of a large door.
"Shall we make a grand entrance for the royals?"
"One rescue befitting a king, coming up!" Hunk placed a few charges to the door and stood back.
"Blast that door down Hunk! I call dibs on the slimeball, you get Keith."
The explosion sent debris flying through the air, the guards already confused on the bridge turned and began firing, but were quickly neutralized with both Voltron Force pilots being expert marksmen.
The screams and sickly gurgle sounds from their commander finally broke through as the dust settled.
Lance growled with rage as he saw Keith and Lotor fighting on the ground near the elaborate throne. Lotor was atop the commander, both men shook from electricity surging from the device around Keith's neck.
Lance vaulted the objects in his way and pulled his arm back. The daredevil pilot wasn't going to lie, feeling the bone on bone contact with Lotor's messed up face was thrilling. This blue bastard deserved nothing more than a slow and calculated death for the pain he had inflicted on everyone.
"I'm here for my friend you sick piece of crap!" Lance hiss as he continued his merciless assault on Lotor's face. The rage only building.
The Prince of Doom's grip on the shock controller loosened from the unseen attack and soon the jolts stopped. While the commander's body continued to shake, Hunk was kneeling at his side, trying to assess the injuries. The shocks seemed to end and Keith's eyes made contact with the larger man's before they rolled back in his head and his body slumped on the ground.
"Stay with me skipper." Hunk tapped Keith's cheek, but got no response. Looking around, he knew he needed to get Keith out of there fast. There was no way he could carry the man, try to not aggravate unknown injuries and fight his way back to the Lions. Not to mention getting the unconscious man into a lion by himself.
His attention turned to Lance and a bloody Lotor.
"You want justice? I'll show you justice." The brown haired man yelled relentlessly beating their enemy.
"Lance!" Hunk called picking up Keith and hoisting him to his large shoulders in a fireman's carry. "LANCE!"
"I'm going to murder you! You son of a bitch!"
Lotor has since stopped attempting to fight back, but Lance's rage would not subside, even after seeing the defeated state of the man under him.
"Stop." Hunk bellowed getting Lance to look away from a bleeding Lotor.
"Why would you stop me? Look at what he's done to Keith! What he did to Sven! It could all be over."
"That's not how we operate. Besides, it would make him a martyr. And Keith needs our attention now. We have to get him home."
"Hunk... I..." The pilot looked from his bloody fists to the broken face of the Drule on the floor. A string of curses escaped Lance's mouth and with one last swift kick, the temporary leader of the Voltron Force picked up his blaster and followed Hunk back the way they came.
The two men carefully made their way back to the lions. It had taken both of their strength to get Keith situated as best the could.
"Captain is strapped into Black Lion, and we're ready to pull back and regroup. How does the party look from out here?" Lance's now calm voice broke over the com link.
"No signs of enemy ships in the vicinity- Doom hasn't sent anything that I can see," Pidge responded.
"You really have Keith?" Alex asked not wanting to doubt her brother, but still unable to believe it was true.
"He's taking a much needed nap, and I've doped him up with a lot of painkillers. Keith is sitting pretty for the moment." Lance switched over to the visual line with the Pollux Cruiser. "You copy that Allura, I found something that belongs to you. We're bringing him back now."
Black Lion soared off away from the Drule's once pristine battleship with the rest of the lions in formation behind. Enough damage had been done, that ship would be lucky to make it back to Doom, let alone put up much of a fight at the moment.
From the bridge of the Pulloxian cruiser Sven and Allura listened to the force's conversations and kept a close eye on the situation.
"Sven, I hope that ship has a medical facility, 'cause I think it would be better to start treating Keith sooner rather than later." Lance's worried face popped up.
"Bring your lion around to the left hangar bay and I'll have the team meet you." Placing a hand on Allura's shoulder, Sven squeezed gently. "Shall we go check on your husband?"
Allura blushed realizing that the whole galaxy now thought she and Keith were fully married.
"We're not... well... I don't know why I said that. It's not all a lie…"
"You were trying to add further threat to make them think twice about killing him. All in all, it gave us much needed time to get to him. You might have just saved his life with that little... stretch of the truth. But when you do get officially married, please do invite Romelle and me"
"I think we can do that." She nodded.
"Looks like the rest of the team is going to give us a proper escort back to Arus." Sven smiled as the lions came on screen and flanked the larger ship.
Taking her hand and offering as much support for her still painful ankle, the former Voltron pilot, and the battle worn Princess made their way to the medical ward.
The end? Well, I suppose if you want to think that... but more is in store for our newly reunited couple. And you know Lotor is never down for long. Come back in a few days and see what all is going to happen next!