Now for the Legal Disclaimer: Voltron and characters associated with the series(and the short lived Devil's Due comic book) are property of World Event Productions(W.E.P.) and are not mine. I do not own or claim the Voltron Fandom. No profit is made from this work. It is strictly a fan fiction loosely based upon the Voltron series from the 80's. However, all original characters(this means characters not known to be in the Voltron series or comic book) are mine. These are characters from my imagination(Avian, Genar, Kezrin, Danzar, Leena, Loeena, Keltor, Sylvana, Kaladan, and Nomey) are my characters and I ask that they not be used without permission from myself. I redid this disclaimer as on another board my disclaimer was not appropriately detailed so I'm giving this revised one to cover my tail feathers.
Chapter 25: Coming Together
So lost were they in their reunion Lotor and Allura forgot that there were several pairs of eyes watching them both. The Namorian Druels stood in silent and approving acknowledgment of the reunion, while Keith and his teammates didn't know quite what to think. All they could remember was Allura had always feared and hated this man. Yet now she stood in his arms, and allowed him to put his arms around her. Keith and Sven tried to fight back the urge to point their lazor guns at Lotor. But then they began to really study his changed appearence. He looked nothing like the arrogant and cruel prince they'd always done battle against. His eyes no longer held the leering stare when he looked at Allura. His smile was no longer cold, but one of a man who was happy to be reunited with his beloved. His attire was completely different from what they were used to. Gone was the cold and stark blue, grey and red. Now he wore a deep royal blue with accents of silver. His hair still flowed freely down his back, but it was no longer pulled back from his face. His bangs now hung gracefully on both sides of his face slightly obscuring his pointed ears. Two sections of his bangs were pulled to either side and met in a single braid descending down his back. Had it not been for the deep silver cord threaded through the braid it would almost had been invisible.
Pidge, Hunk and Lance were almost in awe of how his appearance had changed...of how he had changed. Coran also could not help but feel suprise at how Lotor and Allura interacted with each other. He was about to speak when he looked over and saw Danzar, his daughter Leena and Genar's wife Nomey standing beside him. Nanny hurried to catch up to Coran. Her eyes widened in shock to see her baby in Lotor's arms.
"You unhand her you fiend!" She shouted.
"Nanny, calm down. This isn't what you think." Coran said trying to keep the situation from becoming a fight.
"Allura, how can you stand with him! How can you let him touch you! After all he's done to you!" Nanny yelled.
"Nanny, that's enough!" Allura snapped firmly. Her governess was taken aback by her behavior. Had the girl completely lost her mind?
"Lotor isn't the man he used to be. He has changed. Has not one word I've said to you made any sense? He's not going to hurt me." Allura retorted.
"How can you talk to me that way? After I practically raised you when your parents died! Your mother and father would be rolling in their graves right now!" Nanny shouted again.
"My father came to Lotor and I both. I told you that once already. And Lotor is with his true family now. You're standing right next to his father." Allura said trying to calm the situation down.
Nanny looked over at Danzar but that did not quell the mistrust she felt. Leena stepped foward and began to speak. "Please understand, what you hear is true. Lotor is my twin brother. I know he did terrible things while under the influence of my uncle, but he has broken away from Zarkon's evil. I know you will find it hard to understand, but my brother loves Allura. They would have been able to grow up together and come to love one another if our uncle hadn't interfered." She explained.
"It's true. King Alfor and myself would have united Arus and Namoria through the marriage of our first born children. I know the people of Arus have suffered greatly because of my brother Zarkon. He murdered my father, and slaughtered all of my family save for the druels you see standing before you. We are all that is left of the line of the first Namorian King, Keltor. I understand that it will be hard for you to look beyond everything that has happened in the past. But Lotor is no longer under Zarkon's influence. He knows now that he is my son, and heir to Namoria's throne. But more than that, he is now the keeper of his grandfather's spirit." Danzar said.
Nanny, still fuming at the site of Allura and Lotor together was about to say yet something more inflamatory towards the prince when Coran cut her off. "Enough. If these people had any intent upon harming us they would have done it by now. If Alfor did not believe a union between Lotor and Allura was possible he would not have visited them." He said before looking toward Keith and the others.
"This must be a time of understanding between us all. A great many things have changed, and we all must come to terms with and accept those changes. I realize some may come to this realization quicker than others, but it must be done." Coran finished.
"Coran, I realize you and your companions must have many questions. There is much that needs to be explained." Danzar replied.
"If we may all go into the castle, we can answer all your questions." He added.
"My father is speaking the truth." Leena interjected.
"Agreed. I'll take all of you to the command center. And as irritated as she may be at the moment, I'll have Nanny prepare rooms for you." Coran said.
"Thank you old friend." Danzar said with an appreciative tone.
Mogor was hidden deep within the forest not far from the castle. No one knew that he had the magic pendent that rendered its wearer to become invisible. It had been given to him by Sylvana upon King Zarkon's command. While things had not gone according to plan, it mattered not to the commander. He was on Arus and near the castle. That was all he needed. The sucess of his mission would quell the king's anger at losing a ship and soldiers. Once his goal was achieved, he was sure the king would be quite generous with the reward. A wicked smile twisted his menacing facial features.
"Once king Zarkon sees her dead body, he'll grant me wealth beyond imagination." He said evilly to himself.
As he spoke, he heard voices near where he was hiding. "Spread out! He can't have gotten too far!"
Fearing detection, Mogor became invisible once more. When the fools came close enough, he would dispatch them without them evening knowing what happened. Then he would make his way to the castle. There he would claim a most precious trophy in the name of his king. And that trophy would be princess Allura's lifeless corpse. He waited for a scout to get closer to him. He almost pitied how easy it would be to kill the poor fool. He wouldn't even see it coming.
The scout drew closer to the tree Mogor was hiding against. He looked to the left and then to the right. But before he could continue searching he felt something suddenly rip into his gut. Blood began to bubble up in his mouth and pour from his nose as he took his last breath. He quickly fell to the ground as his blood painted the ground red. Mogor let out a sinister laugh as he studied the blood that dripped from his sword. And the beauty of it for him was that no one had seen it. No one had seen him. And they wouldn't catch him either. He would simply lay in wait and slaughter them unseen. It was like a spider waiting for flies to get caught in its web. It would be so easy it was almost pathetic, but it was sport for him none the less.
"I'll run the little bitch through, and she won't even see it coming." He laughed to himself.
The Voltron Force, Coran, Allura and the druels all met in the command center. For a few tense moments there was silence. Everyone looked as if they were studying one another. It was hard for anyone to truly speak up and start a conversation. Keith and the others were still trying to adjust to the site of Lotor and Allura standing side by side in peaceful coexistance. They were all so used to her either running from him or slapping the arrogant smile off his face.
"Um...so Lotor is really your son. I'm sorry, what did you say your name was?" Pidge asked trying to break the ice.
"My name is Danzar. Yes, Lotor is my son. I am the one of only two remaining children of my father, Keltor. This is my daughter Leena. She is also Lotor's twin sister." Danzar answered looking toward Leena.
He continued with the introductions. "These are my nephews, Avian, Genar and Kezrin. They are all cousins of my son and daughter. And this is Kaladan. While he is not related to our family, he is a friend of my son. He aided Lotor in getting here to Arus, and helped save him and myself when we were prisoners on Doom."
"Um...not to be rude, but the one called Avian...how can he be a druel? He looks like a human." Hunk interjected.
Avian's eyes narrowed at the comment. "I'm as druel as any other druel here, and don't you forget it." He growled
"Take it easy Avian. These people have probably never seen a druel like you before." Danzar said trying to calm Avian's defensive mood.
"You see, Avian's mother was a daughter of Keltor. But the mate she chose was a man from Earth. When Avian was born, he inherited the druel eyes and ears. But he also inherited his father's skin color and hair color. Unfortunately he's had to bear the predjudice and misunderstanding of others because of how unique he is." Danzar explained.
"Look, I didn't mean any offense. I guess I've just never seen a druel that looked like that before." Hunk said trying to apologize for any hurt feelings his words might have caused.
"That's cause druels like me don't live very long. If I'd been born within the empire, they'd have snuffed me out before I even made it out of my mother. Only reason they even let half breeds live in the empire is cause pure bloods are too fucking lazy to do battle themselves." Avian growled.
As soon as he spoke he felt a sudden rap to the back of his head with something hard...and bristley. "Ouch!" He yelled rubbing the back of his head. He turned around and found a very shocked governess standing behind him. In her hands was the broom that she'd just bonked him in the head with.
"I should wash your mouth out with soap! How dare you utter such filth, and in the presense of young women!" Nanny yelled.
Allura would have been shocked to hear such a word, but she knew Lance had a habit of using such language on several an occassion and often got the same stern reprimand from Nanny. He rubbed his head and looked to see he was getting stern looks from his druel bretheren.
"Avian, learn to watch your language. It's not appropriate in the presence of our guests." Danzar scolded.
Avian just looked away with an irritated expression but held his tongue. Lance looked over at the sable haired druel woman standing beside Leena. "Is she related to the family?" He asked.
"Nomey is my wife and mate. I felt it best to bring her with us so she and I could spend more time together. I admit...it's hard for us to be apart from each other." Genar said as Nomey walked over to him.
"I don't know what I'd do if I ever lost Genar." She said pressing herself close to him.
She was a bit confused by all the strange looks she got as she put her arms around her mate. "Is something wrong?" She asked timidly.
"Oh, nothing's wrong. It's just we've never seen Druels like you before. Usually when they're around all that happens is a bunch of chaos and destruction." Pidge said trying not to offend the young woman.
"I understand this must seem strange to you all. Before my father broke away from the empire, that was all druels were known for. Most of our kind are a violent and warlike race. It was the mingling of druel and human blood that has, I guess you could say, tamed the ruthlessness in some of us. I think it was the human blood in my father that made him see how cruel he was being toward those he conqurored in the name of the empire. It was the human blood within him, and the woman who would come to be his queen, Loeena. They fled the empire with many followers both Druel and of other races. They fled to a planet outside the empire. When they settled, Keltor named the planet Namoria, in honor of Loeena's sister, Namora. She gave her life so that he and the others could escape the empire and make a better life. It was his hope that druels could coexist with other races, especially those of human origin." Danzar explained.
"At one time, Zarkon had human blood within him. Hybrids who mated with those like themselves produced more of the same. We have both human and druel traits. Unlike pure blood druels, we are more pleasing to the eyes. The human dna softens our features so that we are less menancing. We retain the skin color, pointed ears and eyes of our pure blood druel ancestors, but with a more human appearence." He continued.
"You mean at one time Zarkon looked like one of you?" Keith asked puzzled.
"Yes, he did. His hair was a darker color of silver than mine. After he killed our father I challenged him to a dual for the crown. I defeated him and as punishment for his crimes I exiled him from Namoria never to return. It was not long after that he met up with the witch Haggar. He wanted to become a powerful war lord and then king within the empire. And he wanted any trace of human blood purged from his body. He considered it a weakness. She performed a ritual that would purge all the human blood within him. She would help him to become the conquoror he desired to be, but at a price. The ritual that would purge him would also rob him of his handsome appearence. He would become on the outside the monster he is inside. And he also had to make her his right hand. She would get to share in his wealth and power, only one step down from being his queen." Danzar answered.
"Gee, no wonder he looks like shit." Lance replied sarcastically. That earned him a swat to the side of his face from Nanny's broom.
"That's it! I hear one more vile, filthy word leave any of your mouths I'll douse them with dish washing liquid!" She yelled.
"She'll do it too." Hunk said. A stern glare shot his way, and he immediately shut his mouth.
Avian looked at Lance with a sly smirk. "You're a brave son of a..."
"AVIAN!" His family all shouted in unison.
"Gun." Avian said not looking the least bit intimidated. Those around him breathed a sigh of relief as he changed what he had intended to say.
"You know, I could get to like this guy." Lance said with a laugh.
"So what your other two nephews like?" Pidge asked.
"We're standing right here. You could ask us you know." Kezrin said with a shrug.
"You'll have to forgive Kezrin. He's not much for crowds." Genar said.
"You're Genar, right?" Keith asked looking at the garnet haired druel.
"Yes. I'm the most removed from the old ways of our kind. I prefer to talk instead of fight. Reasoning can achieve much more than just blatant violence." Genar stated calmly.
"That can be debated." Avian shrugged.
"Avian not withstanding, I will fight when given no other alternative. Violence is only an option for me when those I love are threatened. In such an instance, I will fight and if necessary kill to protect those I care about." Genar said. His mood was calm, but all around him could tell his words were deadly serious.
"What about you Kezrin?" Hunk asked.
"I have...abilities. I have the power to harness my own spirit energy to protect myself or those around me. I can also use it to repel oncoming attacks for a limited amount of time. But it comes at a cost, sometimes at a risk to my own life. When I expend my energy I am weakened. I have to rest in a special chamber to replenish lost energy." Kezrin answered.
"Oh, so it's kind of like having to recharge a battery when its life runs too low." Pidge said.
"You could say that." Kezrin said.
"It's a good thing The Grace can carry his chamber. We wouldn't have been able to leave Namoria for a long period of time if we didn't. I hope it won't be a problem setting it up in the castle." Genar said.
"Of course, it won't be a problem. We'll find somewhere in the castle to set it up." Coran replied.
"Everyone, would you please excuse me? I need to go find Nanny. I need to make things right with her. I don't want her to be mad at me, or any of you either." Allura said.
"Princess, are you sure that's a good idea? She's very riled up right now." Coran asked with concern.
"I'll be fine. I just...I can't stand that she's mad at me. I know I should have been more up front about things, but I didn't know how any of you would react." Allura replied.
"As you wish. The rest of you, come with me. I'll have the maids prepare something for you all to eat. I'm sure you must be very hungry after your long journey."
Nanny was in Allura's room putting clothes away and dusting off the furniture. Allura saw her working and hesitantly entered her room. "Nanny?"
"WHAT?" Nanny said in an angry tone. It was enough to bring Allura to tears, but she fought them back. She couldn't fall apart, not right now.
"I'm sorry about all this. I just wish you would understand what's going on. There's so much that you don't know. If you'd just come and talk with them..."
"How can you defend them? How can you defend...him? He terrorized you. He could have killed you on so many occassions." Nanny argued.
"He could have, but he didn't. And I understand why now. He loves me. Under the influence of Zarkon he didn't understand how to convey that love. Deep down, he's not the evil, heartless monster I thought him to be. He was as much a victim of Zarkon as I was. He wasn't born evil. He was taught to be evil. But even with all that his uncle did to make him so terrible, there is good in his heart. There is good in him. He wouldn't have risked so much or endured so much torment if I meant nothing to him." Allura explained trying to remain calm.
"Do you realize what you do to me when I see you hugging him? He terrorized you and your people, and now you welcome him with open arms?" Nanny protested.
"That Lotor is gone. I know that in my heart. If that were not so, then my father's spirit would not have come to us. Nanny, please try to understand. I know my people have suffered at the hands of Zarkon, but Danzar's people have suffered too. Zarkon is Danzar's older brother so imagine the heart break Danzar felt when he watched his father murdered by his older brother. Think of the emotional torment he suffered when Lotor was stolen from him by Zarkon. Think of all the lives lost when Zarkon had the royal family murdered. Leena, and her cousins all had to grow up without their aunts, uncles and cousins. Leena had to grow up without her father. Danzar risked his life to rescue Lotor from Zarkon, but ended up a prisoner himself. Think of how he must have suffered watching his own son being raised to be as corrupt as his uncle. And even though you may not want to realize it, Lotor has suffered too. When he became a slave, he didnt' just see the suffering he caused, he endured it. If Lotor were still the man he used to be, he wouldn't have cared about what happened to me. He wouldn't have fought and taken risks to see me again. He's grown up Nanny. He's not the spoiled, arrogant and cruel prince I once knew. He's changed. He's become a true prince. I no longer have to fear him. I no longer hate him. I've forgiven him for the past. I just hope that one day, you and the others will find the strength to forgive him as well." Allura said.
Nanny remained silent as she continued dusting. Allura let out a frustrated sigh and left the governess to her chores. She walked away thinking it would be a long time before Nanny would come to terms with all that was happening. It hurt her that Nanny was so mad with her. She knew the governess was put off with the Voltron force and even Coran, but Allura was the one who bore the brunt of her anger. And that broke the young princess's heart. It was as if her biological mother was angry at her. She wondered down the hall by herself trying to fight back her tears. As hard as she fought, those tears began to fall. It hurt so bad that one of the most important people in her life was so upset with her. As bad as Nanny's words had hurt her, the silence hurt her much worse.
She continued wondering down the hall until she came to the dining room. She heard the voices of her friends and the druels as they conversed. She peered in for one moment and caught the site of Lotor standing beside his sister and father. He looked toward the door way and spied her there for one second. He could see the tears welling up in her eyes as she quickly stepped away. He excused himself from everyone to see Allura.
She stood outside the dining hall with her hand over her mouth trying to muffle the sobs. Her eyes were tightly shut as tears fell from them. She quickly opened her eyes when she felt a pair of strong arms go around her. She looked up to see Lotor gazing at her as he held her.
"Allura, what's wrong?" He asked with concern.
"Nanny's still mad at me. I tried to make her understand, but she won't listen." Allura answered with a shaky voice.
"Give her time Allura. Not everyone is going to forgive as easily as you do. Just give her a little time, and she'll come around." Lotor said trying to calm Allura's nerves.
"It's just that...she's the closest thing I had to a mother after my real mother died. She and Coran are all I've had to look up to when my parents died." Allura said with a sniffle.
Lotor raised one hand to her face and gently wiped her tears away. He let his fingers brush across her cheek. "Allura," He said trying to think of something to say to her. "Everything will be all right."
Allura looked up at him through her tear glazed eyes. He looked into those blue eyes, those sapphire colored orbs that could hold him in a trance for days. He couldn't stop himself from looking in those eyes. Allura found herself also looking into his gold cat like eyes. She looked not with fear or scorn, but with something else. Something she hadn't dared to believe she could ever feel for this man. She never imagined for one moment she would find herself falling in love with him.
"You...you look so different now." Allura said finally breaking the silence.
"I admit it's taking me a little while to get used to dressing like this. It's different from that cold, drab uniform I had to wear. I looked more like a military comander than a prince." Lotor replied.
"I...I like this look. It suits you." Allura said feeling just a hint timd to look at him.
"Allura, are you...blushing?" Lotor asked. He tried to hide the smirk coming on, but he just couldn't help it.
Allura put her hands to her cheeks and felt how heated they were. She was indeed blushing. "This is going to sound stupid, but I'm just now noticing just how handsome you really are." She answered.
The prince let out a soft chuckle at her remark. "It's not stupid, Allura. Usually our encounters were chaotic. And when I looked at you I was only looking at what was outside. It wasn't until I saw your spirit that I truly began to realize just how amazing you really are."
"I'm not that special. I'm just doing what I feel I need to do to protect those I care about." Allura replied.
"You are that special Allura. You're more than special. You're extrodinary. You're the most beautiful and extrodinary woman I've ever met." Lotor said with a tone of pride. It wasn't an arrogant pride. It was the pride of a man in love. He all but glowed as he spoke.
A moment passed and they were silent again. Neither could seem to stop looking at one another. And then their faces began to draw closer to one another. Their bodies drew closer together and their embraces around each other tightened. Closer and closer their faces grew until their lips finally touched. For the briefest second Lotor felt hesitancy. He didn't know if Allura would allow the kiss to deepen or if she would pull away. She didn't. She simply pressed foward and opened her mouth to his.
She was suprised by how soft his lips were. They were warm and inviting, encouraging her to keep her own lips locked against his. He in turn was feeling a surge of warmth through his body. Her lips were softer than the softest velvet. Every bit what he had always imagined they would be. No. They were even better than what he had imagined. This was a moment he'd so long waited for, and he didn't want it to end. She was happy in his arms and accepting of his kiss. Neither seemed to notice a crowd at gathered at the doorway. They were so lost in each other that they didn't notice they were being watched. Their hearts were beating in perfect sinc with each other. It was a moment that could last forever as far as both were concerned.
But as quickly as it began, the kiss ended. Lotor and Allura looked at each other almost shocked by their boldness. It certainly was not the first time he'd kissed a woman, yet it felt like the first true kiss he'd ever experienced in his life. And for Allura, it was her first true kiss. She felt dizzy for a second having to hold onto Lotor to make sure she didn't fall backwards. And for the prince, it was a kiss that was three times as sweet and intoxicating as any wine he'd ever had. He managed to break his gaze from his beloved for a second. His expression went from one of bliss to complete shock, and a hint of embarrasment. Allura wondered what made him look like that and found that Coran, Danzar and their company were all looking at the prince and princess.
Lotor and Allura then looked at each other and noticed they were both beet red with embarrassment. Never before in his life had he ever been abashed about getting caught with a woman, but he certainly felt it now. Allura felt just as embarrassed at her behavior. If Nanny had seen them they both would have gotten a thorough tongue lashing. Both felt like two teenagers getting caught making out by their respective parents. They both looked down with guilty looks on their faces.
But to their suprise, there were no protests or words of reprimand. "This is their choice. Let them be." Coran stated.
Well, I'd originally planned for chapter 25 to be a bit longer than this, but it ended up getting so long that I had to split it into two chapters. So everybody gets two for one today. In this chapter the Voltron team and the royal family of Namoria start coming together and soon an official alliance will form. Lotor and Allura also get closer together. But trouble looms right under their noses.
Misty Gargoyale: Glad you're enjoying how the story is going. Yes, I was glad to finally have written the reunion scene between Lotor and Allura. L/A fans will be pleased to know that the pair finally get to share their first kiss of the story...and they don't get in trouble for it either! The next chapter is going to be more suspenceful, but still continues the growing romance between Lotor and Allura.
Harmony winters: Glad you're continuing to get caught up on the chapters, and glad you're enjoying the story thus far. Hope you'll be able to read more soon. I look foward to more of your reviews.
Lotornomiko: I'm so glad you're getting caught up on the story as well. This is turning out to be one epic piece of work for me. I love writing this story cause of the twists and turns I was able to put in it and have it come out in a way that it's believable. And I'm very much looking foward to more chapters to your current stories as well. I tell you, PD is keeping me up at night with anticipation! Heh, but if I'm gonna lose sleep, least I have a very good excuse. Don't worry, I manage to get a little shut eye through my excitement.