WARNING: This chapter contains some swearing and torture scenes. Nothing extremely graphic, but still...Just thought I'd warn you just in case.

**I do not own Voltron: Legendary Defender!


Mari was being burned from the inside out. Every inch of her skin felt like it had been set on fire and her insides were melting as if she had swallowed a thousand ghost peppers doused in gasoline. Her pale skin was flushed an angry red and buckets of sweat soaked her as she wheezed and panted, tears streaming endlessly down her feverish cheeks. What the hell had Haggar injected her with?

"The effects of the poison in your body will only get worse. Your body overheats, you quickly become dehydrated, and all of your internal systems slowly begin to shut down as they burn away. With the dosage I gave you, it will be a rather drawn out and incredibly agonizing death," Haggar explained cooly, holding the half empty syringe of liquid fire in front of Mari's face and lazily swirling the remnants of the deadly orange substance around in the container. "You will surely die in the next varga or so, something I'd rather not happen to you, my dear Champion's Kin. But if you answer my next questions, I will gladly give you the antidote and make all your suffering go away."

Mari's chest heaved and her lungs protested with each inhale she took. Her ears were ringing so badly and a skull-splitting headache was assaulting her. She almost hadn't heard what Haggar had said, she was so distraught with pain.

Haggar didn't seem to care though as she proceeded with her next round of inquires. "Tell me about the other paladins," she demanded, moving back to the cart of poison vials and picking up one that contained a translucent, blue-colored liquid. She placed it in another syringe but refrained from injecting the human with the fluid, simply holding the antidote at the ready. "What are their names? Their weapons of choice, perhaps? What are their strengths and weakness?"

Mari screamed as the white hot stabs of pain running throughout her body worsened with every passing tick. She screwed her eyes shut, sobbing miserably as her eyeballs stung from tears and the ever worsening effects of the poison. She was in so much agony, so much torment, she couldn't think straight.

She just had to answer the witch's damn questions right? The names of the paladins, their weapons and abilities…Well, Shiro was good at fighting with his Galra arm and strategizing, Keith was good with a sword, and Lance was—No, no, stop! She couldn't give in, she couldn't give in. She had to fight through the pain, dammit! She couldn't give any more information away to Haggar.

A slur of incoherent words escaped from her lips and she shook her head furiously, the sudden movement making a howl tear from her throat. Haggar frowned in dismay and set the antidote back down on the tray before taking a threatening step closer to the human.

"What allies have you made thus far? Are all the paladins Earthlings?" she growled. When Mari simply retched up bile onto the floor in response, Haggar tsked in disgust. "At this rate, you'll succumb to unconsciousness any moment now. Humans are so weak," she murmured to herself. "Nevertheless, your mind will be open to me once more. You already know what it feels like to have your memories intruded upon. So invasive, so uncomfortable…I am sure you would rather avoid such an experience again. Give me the answers I desire and I will give you this in return."

She picked up the syringe full of antidote and showed it to the human, but it was all just a blur to Mari, a simple blue smudge. Her vision was getting hazy already and she could feel herself beginning to slip away as flames enveloped her body, scorching her relentlessly and making her surroundings start to dissolve into blackness.

No, I can't pass out now, Mari thought faintly to herself, but it did nothing to stop her vision from tunneling. Staying awake hurt so, so much and fighting through the effects of the poison was absolutely exhausting. But she couldn't afford to give into the reprieve of unconsciousness—she had to keep Voltron's secrets safe from the Galra Empire. And if that meant her dying…then so be it. At least that way her memories would be disappearing with her and they'd be forever out of Haggar's reach.

Her eyes slipped closed and the unending darkness began to swallow her, numbing the feeling of broiling blades skewering every cell in her body. She felt herself slump forward and fear shot through her as she imagined Haggar reaching out to invade her unguarded mind again, searching for the answers she sought. Mari's entire being alighted with pain as she shook herself awake, and a shriek was wrenched from her throat as black spots danced across her vision.

Haggar huffed in mild annoyance and frowned at the human. "You cannot hold out forever," she hissed. "No matter how strong your will is, you will give in eventually."

Before she could continue, the doors to the lab suddenly opened and another one of Haggar's minions stepped inside. The head sorceress turned to him with an irritated scowl.

"What is it?" she growled impatiently, but the newcomer was unfazed by her hostility.

"Emperor Zarkon requests your presence at the Komar," he announced solemnly. "…It is time."

Haggar's brow furrowed deeper and she pursed her lips together, but she didn't argue. Without a word, she plunged the syringe into Mari neck, ignoring the resulting startled yelp as she emptied the antidote into the Earthling's bloodstream. Instantly, the irritated red of her skin began to die down to a palish pink and her breathing became less labored as the poison that afflicted her body was quickly neutralized.

Mari gasped as the cure shocked her stiff, a frigid feeling enveloping her senses. It was like Haggar had injected her with ice or as if she were being buried in snow. She shivered in relief as the blue solution coursed through her, dousing the flames in her veins and pleasantly numbing her blazing muscles and skin.

"Clean up here, Macidus, and report to the Komar. Upon our return, we will continue the interrogation of Champion's Kin," she vaguely heard Haggar instruct, and she weakly lifted her head to see the witch heading out the door with one of the cloaked lackeys. Then instructing a pair of sentries she barked, "Guard this room. Make sure our prisoner does not escape."

As soon as she disappeared out of sight, Mari let out a shaky breath that came out more as a guttural sob. The effects of the antidote were already fading away, leaving her with a pounding headache and throbbing limbs that ached in protest whenever she moved. Her wrists, ankles, and waist burned from the restraints gouging into her, and her chest felt like an elephant had sat on it. Her stomach was sickeningly empty, yet she felt like she had just swallowed a bunch of lighter fluid. Bile stung the back of her worn out throat as she glanced down at the floor at the half-digested food goo mess she had expelled from her body not too long ago. Her mouth was so painfully dry and her tongue felt like sandpaper as she uselessly licked her chapped lips.

She was silent though as she watched Haggar's servant—Macidus, she had called him—move swiftly about the lab, disposing of syringes, returning vials to their proper shelves or places on trays, and even wiping up the vomit, drool, and sweat on the floor beneath Mari's restrained feet. When he had finished his task, he paused in front of her, his mask tilted upward her as he quietly stared at her.

Mari squirmed uncomfortably under his gaze and she swallowed thickly as she glared back at the design on his headgear. "…What?" she finally croaked, her voice thin and broken. She cleared her throat, ignoring the irritation it caused. "What?" she repeated, her snarl less raspy this time. "Aren't you supposed to meet that bitch at this Komar or something?"

Without warning, Macidus closed the distance between them and grabbed her face, his gnarled hand digging into her flushed cheeks and his palm pressing against her mouth to silence her. Muffled swears escaped her and she tried jerking out of his grasp, but his hold was firm. It tightened ever so slightly and he pushed her lips against her clenched teeth.

"Even after the torment we've put you through thus far, you still are full of defiance," he whispered, bringing his obscured face closer to hers. "Your kind is so stubborn despite their immense weakness. So susceptible to injury and illness…Even the Champion himself was once burdened by a disease that would have eventually killed him if the High Priestess had not cured him."

He chortled darkly as surprise flashed across Mari's eyes, the sound eerie and echoey. "You should be grateful really. She's the reason your dear brother has been able to live this long," he continued. His free hand trailed along her bicep before sneaking down to her torso, an action that made her squeal and spasm in revulsion. His touch settled on her waist and he laughed again at the absolute hatred that now filled her gaze.

"I was hesitant at first, but I'm glad I ultimately decided to bring you here. I'm excited to see the results of Haggar's experiments on you. Will they be the same as Champion's, I wonder? Maybe she'll replace one of your limbs," he mused softly, his hand inching down towards her inner thigh. "It would be such a pity though. Humans have such soft and curious bodies…and yours seems to be in peak condition."

Disgusting asshole.

Parting her lips as much as she could, Mari furiously sunk her teeth into the thin flesh of his hand. Macidus shrieked in pain and instantly reeled back, ripping his bleeding hand out of her mouth.

"How dare you, you damned little beast!" he cursed, cradling his injured hand to his chest as the blood flowing out sluggishly came to a stop and the wound began to close up.

Mari spit out the metallic taste of his blood and flesh and glared daggers at him, stifling the urge to throw up again. "Screw you," she ground out right as he struck her with a glowing hand.

She yelled as her head snapped back into the metal bed, her vision turning white for a split second. The entire left side of her face was searing and throbbing heavily, and she could feel the hot trickle of blood run down her cheek and down her neck.

"Suffer here in silence, you insolent brat," Macidus spat angrily. "Voltron will be no more soon, and after that, we will have our way with you. We will make sure that fire in your eyes is snuffed out for good."

Then he disappeared into thin air, leaving only black smoke in his wake and allowing Mari to finally pass out in peace.


Thirsty…She was so thirsty.

Mari groggily opened her eyes, a soft whine escaping her parched lips as her senses slowly sharpened. She wasn't sure how long she had been out (minutes? hours?) but every part of her was screaming in agony. She was so tired and everything, everything hurt, like she was constantly being run over by a steam roller. And on top of that, she was so damn thirsty! If Haggar's torture didn't kill her, then dehydration and lack of food would surely do her in at some point.

Thinking of the witch, Mari blearily glimpsed around the room for any sign of her, but the lab was empty. Haggar and Macidus had yet to return from…from whatever evil deed they were doing for their stupid emperor. But they would be back, and all she could do was wait for the inevitable pain they would inflict upon her.

Sighing, she let her head go limp and rested her chin against her chest, staring hard at the floor below her and trying not to think about her nagging thirst or her impending doom. She wondered vaguely how Allura was doing. The princess was strong, she was no doubt okay in her cell…hopefully. Her mind wandered to the paladins and Coran. How much time had passed since she and Allura were captured? Were they still trying to formulate a rescue plan? Or…were they really just abandoning their comrades?

They aren't, Mari told herself. They won't. They would never.

Coran would give his life to rescue Allura. And Lance, Hunk, Pidge, Keith, and Shiro were all the princess's paladins, her knights in shining white Altean armor. Allura was worth saving. And Mari? She definitely wasn't as valuable or important as the princess, but her life still mattered. Takashi would save her. He loved her, she knew he did. He had told her himself. He'd never just leave her with Haggar, would he?

They're coming, right? He won't leave me behind again.

She didn't know when the tears had started flowing, but they were rolling uncontrollably down her face now, stinging the glowing scratch wound that marked her left cheek. They plopped to the floor next to the small splatters of dried blood and Mari sniffled, biting her lip and trying to stop her silent crying. She couldn't afford the loss of anymore water from her system.

Suddenly, the sound of the door mechanisms whirling made her stiffen and her adrenaline spiked. She swallowed back a sob as it opened, her eyes already narrowing as she fully expected Haggar and/or Macidus to enter. But to her surprise, it was a flesh and blood Galran officer that stepped into the room, pouches of water and a small tube of pills gripped in his hands. His yellow eyes widened as they fell on her beaten and bloodied form, but he quickly regained his composure as he approached her, the door sliding shut soundlessly behind him.

Mari scowled at him for a moment, taking him in. His jaw was chiseled with a tuff of a developing goatee on his chin. His ears were very furry, almost fluffy looking, and pointed upward, blending in with the rest of the purple hair on his head. And although his solid yellow eyes were a bit harder to read without irises or pupils, she could still see the pity flooding them as he looked at her. Maybe he was a nice Galra? One that would set her free and help her and Allura escape before Voltron arrived (if it ever did).

"There are rumors going around that you are the Black Paladin's kin," he finally spoke. He set the water pouches on an empty space on one of the trays next to the bed and poked a straw through one of them.

"Word must travel fast here in hell," Mari noted dryly and he grimaced.

"Here. Drink," he said, his tone unexpectedly gentle as he held the water pouch up to her mouth. "We can't have you dying on us."

Mari pressed her lips together firmly and turned away from the straw in front of her despite her body screaming for her mouth to latch onto it and suck all the moisture down. "Like you actually care," she spat coldly. "You just want to keep me alive for Haggar's twisted sake."

The Galran frowned but he kept his hand steady, refusing to pull the water away. "Don't be foolish," he chided. "You are already dehydrated. Drink before you enter a critical state."

When Mari still made no move to do as he said, he sighed. "I promise it is just water. I do not want you to die in vain. Stay alive for your team. Stay alive for yourself. Please. Drink."

Mari hesitated for a moment, glancing between the water pouch and the Galran offering it to her. The look in his eyes seemed earnest enough…Caving, she put her lips against the straw and began to suck up the water greedily. The cool and refreshing liquid soothed her tender throat, and she stifled a moan of relief as she gulped it down. She emptied the pouch in seconds, and the Galran wasted no time jabbing a straw into a second one and holding it up for her to sip. Too focused on devouring the heavenly life-giving liquid, she barely even noticed when he gingerly placed a mauve-colored, clawed hand against her damp forehead.

"You're running a fever," he murmured, removing his hand and popping the top off the bottle he had brought. He set the water pouch down once Mari had finished it and shook two pills from the container into the palm of his hand. "These will help with the pain and the fever," he explained, bringing them up to her mouth along with a third pouch.

Hesitating slightly, she swallowed the medicine without complaint, the hard capsules feeling strange as they made their way down her throat. The Galran let her finish the rest of her water in silence, his eyes sad and never leaving her face until the last of the pouches had been drained. She watched him as he gathered up the shriveled remnants of the water containers and dumped them in a hidden hatch in the wall. He returned to the side of the examination bed and began to screw the cap back on the pill bottle when Mari finally spoke.

"If you don't want me to die, then why don't you help me escape?" she asked, her voice quiet. "Me and Allura both."

The Galran pocketed the medicine and looked at her with a rigid expression. "I cannot risk it," he admitted, and before she could ask what he meant he continued, "Besides, Voltron is here now. The paladins are coming for you and the princess as we speak."

"What?"

Voltron was here? Right now? How long had it been here? This new revelation was making her thoughts swirl and hope blossomed inside her chest, making her heart flutter. Things were going to be okay. She and Allura and everyone else would make it out of this alive…If all went well and according to the paladins' plan, that is.

The corners of the Galran's mouth tugged up into a small smile at her elated expression, but it quickly faded as determination steeled his features. He turned away from her to leave, pausing only when Mari called out to him.

"Wait! I…I want to thank you," she muttered, her cheeks warm with an embarrassment she couldn't hide. Hopefully he would mistake her blush for her fever. It just felt so weird thanking someone who was supposed to be her enemy.

The Galran cast her another tired smile over his shoulder and nodded curtly. He paused for a moment, contemplating on what to say before he finally said in a hushed and serious tone, "Allies of Voltron still exist within the empire, even amongst the Galra. Never forget that."

And with that, he exited the lab, leaving Mari alone again to mull over what he had just shared with her.


Author's Note: Yay! Hooray for Thace! (That Galra who helped her was him by the way lol). So I think I'm gonna try including shout-outs from here on out with my stories, so if you'd like to be acknowledged in the next chapter, leave a comment down below! :D

**Please feel free to leave a comment/review down below! They are much appreciated & encourage me to keep writing this fic :D

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