Disclaimers: Voltron and all associated characters are owned and copyrighted by WEP. Original/new characters belong to the author.
Rating: PG-13 - Innuendo, Sensuality, and Language
Lotor's Revenge
By Shannon
Chapter 10
Whether for a picnic, a family gathering, or a wedding, the clearing was an absolutely perfect place for holding a celebration. Wildflowers grew in scattered clusters, their hues ranging from the softest yellows to the deepest purples, the brightest pinks to the most electric blues. The grass was soft and lush, a deep green that made even the stuffiest official want to take off their shoes and run playfully across it, like a child on a summer's day.
On the outskirts of the meadow lay a dense forest, its trees just as full and vibrant as that sweet grass underfoot. Here and there, where the trees met the grass, bushes grew, wild and unkempt, some covered with blossoms, some with berries, some simply thick with a deep green foliage. And it was behind such a grouping of shrubbery that two members of the Voltron Force now lay in hiding, watching for the chance to swoop in and save their Princess.
Dressed in local farmer's garb, Keith and Lance lay flat on their stomachs, both scouting the serene and beautiful backdrop through binoculars.
"Anything?" Keith whispered.
"Nah, you?"
"No." The Commander of the Voltron Force sounded bleak.
"Wait, look!" Lance's tone was filled with a nervous energy as he pointed toward the nose of the ship. "There's Lotor!"
The duo watched in silence as their hated enemy stepped out from behind the far side of the space-craft. Lotor was dressed in his finest uniform, a deep blue in color with silver epaulets hanging from each shoulder. His long white hair had been tied back in a neat plait and, instead of his usual helmet, he wore the silver and ruby coronet that marked him the Crown Prince of Doom. From this distance, it was impossible to make out the gleam in his ochre, cat-like eyes, but his blue skin was as vibrant as the sky.
The thing that both members of the Voltron Force were sure to take note of was the shiny blade hanging from the Prince's waist. The sword seemed to be his only weapon.
As Lotor inspected his surroundings, it quickly became obvious that he was making sure everything was in place for the upcoming nuptials. Once he seemed satisfied, the Prince called one of his soldiers over and after a short conversation, the Drule guard bowed deeply before hurrying away.
Within moments, the soldier returned with an older fellow, one who was clearly displeased, yet too terrified to voice his concerns. Lotor spoke with the man while gesturing toward a hastily made floral arch. Although continuing to retain a look that clearly said he remained unconvinced and unhappy, the local man finally nodded and followed the Prince to the vault of blooms.
"He must be some sort of Chief Justice," Lance whispered.
"Right." Keith's voice was tight, angry.
"It'll be all right, Cap'n. We'll get her back."
But the Captain never had the chance to reply. Just as he opened his mouth, his Princess stepped out of the ship and into the afternoon sun.
Allura was a vision, as always. Her gown was a lovely creation in a soft peach color; there were jewels at her neck and ears, and her lustrous hair was combed up into a pile of golden curls.
She smiled sweetly, and raised a hand to wave shyly at Lotor. For all the universe, she looked like a young woman in love, about to wed the man of her dreams.
Watching Lotor smile widely and return Allura's wave with unfettered delight filled Keith with a terrible fury – one not born of jealousy, but out of honor. What was happening to the Princess of Arus was beyond reprehensible. With his heart thudding in his chest and adrenaline coursing through his veins, it was all Keith could do maintain his control. If he were any other man, he would have charged across the distance and buried the blade of his knife deep into the Prince's heart.
Lance watched in silence, his eyes moving between the scene unfolding in the meadow and where his brother remained completely still nearby. He could feel the rage radiating from Keith's body.
After a few minutes, he reached out a hand and placed it on his Captain's arm and whispered. "Hey, it's going to be all right."
Keith gave a slight nod, but his eyes never left Allura.
: )
: )
Allura stepped outside of the ship, led by Hagar and flanked by two Drule guardsmen. The moment she pulled the fresh air into her lungs, she couldn't but help close her eyes and sigh with pleasure as the afternoon sun warmed her skin - it had been well over a week since she'd even been outside and she had missed the feel, the sights and sounds of nature.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Lotor watching her from the make-shift altar. She gave an involuntary shudder, her blood turning to ice in her veins as her fear grew.
A slight movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention, and brought her gaze to rest on Witch Hagar, who was once again watching her with suspicion. The Princess gave the old hag another half-hearted smile before turning her attention back to the Prince of Doom. In order to cast off doubt, she forced herself to offer up as sweet and as bright a smile she could muster, as she waved demurely at her bridegroom. When his grin widened and he waved enthusiastically, Allura knew that, even if Hagar was uncertain of her intentions, Lotor remained the fool. And that was good.
As she made her way down the aisle, she went over her plan once more. The moment it was just her and Lotor up on that platform, she would pull out the dagger that was now strapped to her thigh. She would rip away her skirts and run as quickly as possible into the forest. If anyone tried to stop her, she would hold the blade to her own throat, threatening to kill herself if needed.
Tears began to sting the backs of her eyes.
If it was her only means of escape, she would make good on that threat, ending her life rather than submitting to the Prince of Doom.
When her vision became less blurred, Allura suddenly found herself no more than a few feet from Lotor. She looked up the steps of the platform to where the Prince now stood, and she had to admit he looked truly regal and happy, dressed in his finery, waiting for his bride-to-be under an arch of sweet-smelling blooms. But she stood as if frozen at the bottom of that platform, and so Lotor hurried to her side, taking her hand and helping her up the steps.
Once they stood before the Chief Justice, Lotor took both of Allura's hands in his own and smiled down at her. This was everything he had dreamt of - this was his deepest, most secret of desires, coming to life. And he looked down at the Princess, his eyes warm, a genuine smile softening his features.
He was a man in love.
But it was when Lotor leaned over and placed a tender kiss on Allura's lips, that Keith could stand no more.
Before Lance could make a move to stop him, the Commander of the Voltron Force was out in the open, his voice filling the air; his outrage fueling him.
"Lotor! Release Princess Allura now!"
The Prince of Doom turned quickly to find his most hated of enemies standing firm, no more than fifteen yards away.
"YOU! How in the seven hells did-"
Allura's loud gasp cut Lotor's rant short. He returned his attention to the Princess, quickly pulling her close - he felt her trembling and mistook it as fear. Raising her dainty hand to his lips, he placed a kiss in her open palm.
"It's all right, my darling, that man will never harm you!"
Things were going so much better than she could have ever planned - and with the added benefit of her teammates nearby, Allura knew she had to act and she had to do so now!
"You're absolutely right, Lotor! That man would never harm me!"
In a most unexpected gesture, Princess Allura reached up with her free hand and jammed her thumb into her captor's eye.
"What the-" The Prince of Doom howled.
Oh, but she wasn't done! In a self-defense move she'd been told by her instructors that every woman should know, she brought her knee up as hard as she could and struck the Prince in that most tender of places - right between his thighs.
Lotor gasped for air, doubled over and fell to the floor. He could do nothing but lie on the ground, groaning his pain as he watched (with his one good eye) as his captured prey escaped his trap.
But absolutely nothing could have prepared anyone for what the Princess of Arus did next.
Allura's hands moved to the waist of her skirt and she tugged - the folds of creamy peach fabric slipping from her hips and dropping to the floor. She kicked free from the material and jumped from the platform, breaking into a run directly toward Keith.
All the men stood frozen, watching as the shapely form of the Arussian monarch made her way across the field. In the afternoon sun, they could see right through the flimsy material of her pantalets. When combined with the color of what remained of her dress, it appeared that she was running across that meadow wearing nothing but her knee high boots.
It was at this point that Lance stepped into the clearing, grinning from ear to ear - although at the same time the pilot of Red Lion was trying his best to hide that grin from his Captain, who now stood with his mouth agape.
Even Lotor was stunned, at first. But, even though he was riddled with pain and unable to give chase himself, he began to shout orders to his troops, demanding that his soldiers retrieve his runaway bride.
With all the commotion, Hagar slipped back into the ship and used her magic to conceal herself. If the damned fool would have listened to her, this wouldn't be happening and they would have already made their way back to Planet Doom, the Prince with his new wife.
'That stupid boy can figure it out for himself,' she thought as she made her way to her own cabin and locked herself in. It was going to be a long and rough ride home.
TBC...
