AN: Sorry, a rather short chapter today what fills in what's occurring on Doom. Or perhaps just an idea of what is to come.

"Well, Witch?" Zarkon demanded. An expression of displeasure crossed his face. The battleship dispatched to Arus returned defeated. The Griffin robeast lay in a million parts at the bottom of the ravine near the New Castle. "What happened to my assured victory?"

Seated beside him on her bench, the woman glared intently into her crystal ball. Today it decided to work magnificently. Ignoring her master, she allowed a smile to cover her weathered old face. Lying on a blue sheet, another covering the young commander from foot to bellybutton, a white pad covered the man's right shoulder. His crimson life force oozed through the dressing like a tinkling brook, slowly but surely. The blood stained and shredded remains of his uniform tossed on the floor as a doctor attempted to treat his wound. One of the robeast's feathers sat on a mettle tray for analysing later.

"This is better than I'd planed," Haggar stroked her cat gleefully.

"How," Doom's King hissed. "My commander tells me your trap failed. Princess Allura lives, her lion is in one piece and Voltron is unharmed."

"I think not, my Lord," Haggar laughed, an evil sound filling the chamber. "I see the leader of Voltron injured, lying unconscious in the medical wing of the New Palace. The rest of the team gathered around as if mourning his life. One of the Eagle's feathers struck the Black Lion and pierced their Commander. The magic meant for the Princess will work just as well on him. This could be to our advantage. Without someone to fly the Black Lion, to lead the robot, Voltron is useless and Arus unprotected."

"I'll order my attack fleet to finish off the planet," Zarkon smirked, "before they can find a replacement for their Commander."

"Patience, My Lord," Haggar snickered devilishly. "Arus attempted to find pilots for the Lions after Alfor's death. Voltron would not accept any of the candidates. It took almost ten years for the Earth men to appear while we ravished the planet. We will watch the story unfold as they tremble with fear, awaiting your hand to fall once again. Yes, terror is a powerful weapon."

"I take your meaning, Witch," Zarkon allowed a toothy grin to encompass his face. "They will be expecting retaliation immediately, too feel my wrath. Watching, waiting, it will cause trepidation and unrest if the Amada doesn't appear in the skies. I see your plan. When they have become comfortable, when Planet Arus lets it guard down, we will crush them."

"The time will come," Haggar now allowed a full-bodied chuckle, "when they will need to mourn and bury the young Commander. Even now, his lifeforce seeps from his body and they can find no way to stop it. It will take a few days for the position to complete it work. Attack then, My Lord, to teach the people of Arus who rules their destiny. Voltron will not be able to save them this time."

"A wonderful plan," Zarkon agreed. He could see the victory within his grasp. "When will this poison activate?"

"Even now, it has entered the blood stream rendering him unconscious," the witch returned to her crystal ball. "The fever is starting, carrying my spell to every part of his body. Soon it will creep towards his heart. Then, when it stops beating, Arus will mourn. The day he is interned, you will attack."