First: I had been hoping to not have to use last names...because I don't believe the last names that are commonly used by many of you for the fanfics are correct because they had never been in the cartoons. However, seeing as how this chapter contains a very formal situation I had to break with my beliefs and fall in with the majority. You win. (LOL)

Second: This chapter is shorter than I had hoped...combat was supposed to be included at the end, but due to the length it was getting...I figured I'd save y'all and give you a break, let you do a bit of reading while I puzzle out the whole combat thing...I'm hoping it will be detailed. (Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!)

Third: Raelee...if you don't laugh your butt off...I have seriously failed in my mission with the one section. Trust me...you'll know it when you see it!

Shall we get on with it? It's time for TITLES! Muwahahahahahahaa!

I make no claims to Voltron or any WEP characters.

Chapter Twenty-four

Allura pressed the button next to the bedroom door, announcing her presence to the woman inside.

The door slid open, revealing a dark room with several candles providing the only illumination. In the background was some soothing nature sounds mixed with classical music.

"Duvessa?" Allura asked, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness of the room.

"I'm here," came a soft whisper from the far side of the room.

Allura moved to the far side of the bedroom where she found Duvessa kneeling on the floor, several candles lit around her. She arched an eyebrow. "Are you alright?"

Duvessa nodded and opened her eyes. "Yes. Sore, however I am feeling better," she stated. She looked up at Allura. "What can I do for you, Allura?"

Allura cocked her head to one side. "Has Keith told you of my intentions to title the Force?"

Duvessa nodded again. "Yes. He, also, mentioned that you were told to do it by your father and that you felt a sense of urgency?"

Allura nodded back. "I can't explain it. It just has to happen."

"I agree. I have this feeling from the Lions. I think it is worry bordering on fear about the return of the five…" Duvessa shook her head. "Five somethings. I'm not really sure what they're referring to."

"The predator robeast," Allura whispered, her voice laced with fear.

Duvessa looked up at her. "What?"

Allura nodded and knelt down in front of her, a candle between them. "The predator robeast is five robeasts that combine into one, much like Voltron. One robeast per Lion, designed to attack and subdue the Lions. They fear the return of it."

Duvessa nodded. "It makes sense now, at least that part does."

"That part?"

Duvessa looked across the candle to the woman before her. "My brother came to me in another dream. He told me I had to wear the crown again, but now, it isn't ready. And he said that only I can ensure Voltron's victory over Doom, but I can't do it without the crown."

Allura nodded. "There's more to our crowns than we know."

Duvessa nodded back. "Your crown has a name, too, Allura. The Blue Crown of Arethusa. It means 'the waterer'. Appropriate for the pilot of the Blue Lion, don't you think?" she asked with a small grin.

Allura smiled and nodded back. "Yes."

Duvessa sighed and bowed her head. "Allura, deep down, you feel a connection to the water of this planet," she whispered and looked up at her. "It is the main source of life for Arus. Without water, nothing would survive." She giggled softly. "Well, water and air, of course, but still. Water is essential to life. You are what was once known as a Master of Water. In desperate times, you can call it to you to survive." She watched Allura's face pale slightly. "You've done it before. When you were a child."

Allura looked away from Duvessa. "Yes. During the attacks after my parents were killed," she confessed. "I called water to us. We had run out during the night…"

Duvessa smiled. "You will need to feel that connection again, but stronger once we title the others. All of them can feel the elements that their Lions represent, they just don't realize it." Duvessa's eyes went distant. "They will have to in order to…"

Allura watched Duvessa as she drifted off into her thoughts once more. "Duvessa?"

She blinked and turned her attention back to Allura. "Yes?"

"Are you alright with being able to stand for about an hour or so tonight? I'd like to get the titles out of the way."

Duvessa nodded and leaned forward, blowing out the candle before her. "Yes. Formals?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at her.

Allura nodded and held her hand out to Duvessa as she got to her feet.

Duvessa took Allura's hand, grateful for the assistance. She looked to the vanity. "I will see if it is ready. If it isn't, I'll bring it along just to be safe."

Allura frowned. "It is weird that it isn't ready now."

"I wasn't prepared after the long stay in cryostasis," Duvessa stated, a frown on her face. She shook her head. "Now, it is wondering if I am still worthy to wear it. That is what this was for," she stated, waving around the room. "I had to search my soul to find my answers."

"And did you find them?" Allura asked.

Duvessa smiled at her. "Only one way to find out," she answered. "When do I need to be ready?"

"An hour," Allura answered. "The East Conference room."

Duvessa nodded. "I will be there," she assured her.

Allura turned and walked out of Duvessa's room, a warm feeling washing over her.

X x x x x x x x x

Keith straightened his uniform jacket and glanced nervously at the door of the conference room. Lance and Hunk were talking quietly over near the windows. Pidge was noticibly absent, unusual for him. Keith moved over to Lance and Hunk. "You two know what is keeping Pidge?"

Hunk nodded as he faced Keith. "Yeah. Call from Chip. Said it was something important and he would be here even if he had to hang up on him."

The door slid open and Pidge rushed in. "Sorry I'm late," he stated. "My brother needed a bit of help with something."

Keith nodded. "It's alright, Pidge. How is your brother?"

Pidge grinned. "He's good, Keith. He just needed my input on this project he and some of the folks on Balto are working on."

"Once a ninja scientist, always a ninja scientist," came Vince's voice as he and Daniel walked into the room. He grinned at Pidge, who chuckled.

Keith nodded. "Alright. Just as Coran told us. Let's take our places. Allura, Larmina and Duvessa should be along any minute," he stated.

The men took their places at the edge of the dais that faced the throne.

Larmina walked in and took her place near a chair to one side of the throne. There was still another chair between her's and the actual throne.

X x x x x x x x x

Duvessa turned and faced Allura outside the conference room, the skirt of her black floor length gown billowing slightly causing the small points of holographic glitter to shimmer slightly in the dim light of the hallway. "Allura."

Allura stopped and gently touched Duvessa's arm. "Are you alright?"

Duvessa nodded. "Yes," she answered. She closed her eyes and sighed. "I'm just nervous," she confessed.

Allura looked at the black velvet pouch Duvessa carried. "Is that…"

Duvessa nodded again. "Yes. I felt it would be safer present, but unseen," she stated.

Allura smiled at her. "There is a chair on the dais for you in case you need it."

"I appreciate that," she murmured. She looked into Allura's green eyes. "The danger arrives soon. I can just feel it. Can't you?"

Allura's smile faded as she nodded. "Yes. I don't' like this, Duvessa."

Duvessa shook her head. "Nor do I." She nodded her head and pressed her lips into a firm line. "We will survive. Arus will survive as will her people."

Allura nodded back. "Well, let's get this over with, shall we?"

Duvessa nodded and followed Allura into the conference room.

The team came to attention as the two women walked into the room.

Coran smiled from where he stood at the small podium. "Princesses Allura and Duvessa," he stated with a respectful bow of his head as the two women stopped beside him.

Small floating orbs were hovering around the room.

Duvessa looked at Allura a worried look on her face. "What are the floating…"

Allura smiled at her. "Cameras. It allows the people to see what is going on without having an audience actually here. Just smile and relax."

Duvessa slowly nodded and forced a small grin onto her face. "Ok. Easier said than done," she whispered as Allura moved to the podium.

Allura smiled brightly as a camera focused in on her. "Greetings, Citizens of Arus. Today is a great day. I am going to be following the ancient tradition of titling the members of the Voltron Force," she stated. She glanced towards a technician who was monitoring the transmission, who looked up at her and gave her a thumbs up. "So, without further ado, Master Coran, let us begin." She picked up an elegant crystal scepter and stepped away from the podium.

"Yes, your majesty," Coran stated and took her place at the podium as Allura moved to stand in front of Pidge. "To all who see these presents, greetings. Let it be known that Allura, Crown Princess of Arus, hereby bestows the royal title of Earl of Avira to Darrell 'Pidge' Stoker, Pilot of the Green Lion of the Voltron Force," Coran stated as Allura gently tapped Pidge's shoulders. Coran watited until Allura had moved to stand before Hunk before continuing. "Let it be known that Allura, Crown Princess of Arus, hereby bestows the royal title of Earl of Erdmann to Tsuyoshi 'Hunk' Garrett, Pilot of the Yellow Lion of the Voltron Force."

Allura tapped Hunk on his shoulders before she moved to stand before Lance.

Lance smiled at her. Hi, beautiful. You look radiant in that blue gown, but I know you'll look even better out of it.

Allura blushed darkly. Lance! I'm in the middle of an official function!

Who is going to know? he asked with a wicked wink.

Allura closed her eyes, fighting for some semblance of calm. You are an evil, evil man, Lance.

I know, but you like my kind of evil.

"Her Royal Highness, Allura, Crown Princess of Arus, hereby presents the Grand Dutchy of Brenton to Lance McClain, Pilot of the Red Lion of the Voltron Force," Coran called.

Lance blinked in shock. "A dutchy? You're making me a duke?" he whispered as he stared up at Allura.

Allura grinned, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "I am," she stated and touched the scepter to Lance's shoulders. She turned and moved to stand in front of Keith.

"Her Royal Highness, Allura, Crown Princess of Arus, hereby presents the Grand Dutchy of Taranis to Keith Kogane, Pilot of the Black Lion of the Voltron Force," Coran stated and Allura tapped his shoulders with the scepter.

Keith shook his head. "Unbelieveable," he whispered.

"Believe it, Keith," Allura murmured and stepped back.

"Daniel Harper and Vincent Jackson, step forward and kneel before Princess Allura," Coran ordered.

Daniel and Vince shot looks of surprise at each other before doing as Coran said.

"Princess Allura has decided that since you are Cadets and will one day take the place of a pilot, you shall be given the title of squires. Daniel, you will be the squire of the Red Lion. Vincent, you will be the squire of the Green Lion," Coran declared as Allura tapped each of them with the scepter. "Rise and stand beside your respective Lion Pilots."

Daniel and Vince scrambled to their feet and moved to stand beside Lance and Pidge.

Allura turned and looked to Duvessa. "You had been lost to time, placed in cryostasis to preserve the secrets of Voltron, but you are lost no longer. Princess Duvessa, do you have any words of wisdom for these men?" she asked.

Duvessa stood from her chair and nervously licked her lips. She knew that Allura had announced to the entire planet that she was the missing princess from long ago and had now returned. She had been introducing herself as either a commander or as a lady of the Royal House, something she would no longer be able to do. She moved to stand beside Allura and looked at the men before her. "Gentlemen, it goes without saying that you know that the people of this planet respect and admire you. They are eternally grateful for your service, protection and sacrifices on their behalf. With the titles that have been bestowed upon you, the princess is acknowledging her faith and, more importantly, the people's faith in you. While your duties and responsibilities may not increase, the people will see you as an extension of the Royal Family and it is expected that you will continue to carry yourselves with dignity and humility," she stated. "Each of you are worthy of the titles you have been given, else they would not have been bestowed upon you. I wish you continued success and I hope the blessings of the elements and gods continue to shine upon you all." She faced Allura, bowed her head respectfully and moved back to her seat.

Allura smiled and turned her attention back to Coran. "Master Coran, I believe that is everything for this evening, correct?"

Coran nodded and switched off the cameras.

The Castle alarms began blaring.

Coran paled. "To the Control Room!" he cried and everyone hurried out of the conference room.

X x x x x x

Lotor stood on the command bridge overlooking the pilots who were at the controls of his command ship. "What do you mean that we've been picked up by Arus' scanners already? They are never set to pick up incoming ships this far out," he snarled.

"I can not explain it, my lord," the robot at the sensor station stated. "But, we have been picked up by their long range sensors."

Lotor glared at the planet before him. "Then our surprise is ruined. Get us into their atmosphere at once!"

"Yes, sire," the robot at the helm answered and increased the speed of the ship.

X x x x x x

"Ten minutes until they enter our atmosphere," Coran stated.

"Then we get to the Lions and we give them a warm welcome," Lance growled.

"Wait," Duvessa whispered.

All eyes turned to her.

Duvessa stared up at the display where Lotor's fleet was approaching Arus hovered. "This is it," she whispered.

"What?" Allura asked.

Duvessa looked at her, tears in her eyes. "Allura, it's time."

Allura's eyes went wide.

Duvessa turned and walked a few steps away, opening the black velvet pouch she had been carrying and pulled out her crown.

The men gasped.

"Duvessa," Keith murmured. He shook his head slightly.

Duvessa looked up at him and gave him a wan smile. "I don't have a choice, Keith. It's either I do this or Arus falls."

An insistant buzzer went off and Coran turned and flipped a switch.

"Greetings, Voltron Force and my lovely," Lotor purred, his gaze on Allura.

Allura scowled at him. "I demand you leave Arus' airspace at once, Lotor," she snarled.

"Now, is that any way to talk to your future husband, Allura?"

"Funny, I don't see your ring on her finger," Lance snarled. "And if I have anything to say about it, you will never even be considered a 'future' anything to Allura."

Pidge and Hunk chuckled.

"Who are you to even think of speaking to me!" Lotor exclaimed indignantly.

"He would happen to be the Duke of Brenton," Allura stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

Lotor blinked and stared at her incrediously. "You gave that cretin a title?"

Lance took a step towards the monitor. "Cretin? Why you…"

Keith stepped up beside Lance and dropped his hand onto his shoulder. "She gave all of us titles and if anyone is a cretin, it's you, Lotor," he stated softly, his voice holding a deadly edge to it.

Lotor sneered at Keith. "And where is that vile wench who was with you the last time we met, Keith?"

"None of your business where she is, Lotor," Allura stated.

Duvessa stayed towards the back of the group, out of Lotor's sight.

"Oh? But, I wanted to give her an offer she couldn't refuse," Lotor purred.

"Really? What kind of offer?" Allura asked.

"You turn her over to me, Allura, and I will leave your planet forever in peace," Lotor stated.

"Forget it," Lance spat before Keith could even open his mouth. "You can't be trusted any further than you can be thrown."

"Was I talking to you?" Lotor snarled.

"As a member of the Court, he is entitled to ask his questions," Allura stated.

"Well, I refuse to answer him," Lotor retorted.

"Spoken like a spoiled child," Duvessa murmured softly.

"Where are you, wench?" Lotor snarled.

Duvessa moved closer to the monitor, dropping the velvet pouch she had been carrying to the floor. "I am Duvessa, first born child of Darius, King of Arus; High General of the Arusian Air Forces; Keeper of the Secrets of Voltron; Master of the Five Elements," she murmured and lifted her crown. "Bearer of the Black Crown of Ascention." She placed her crown on her head and a wind whipped through the room. "Now, Lotor, you deal with me," she growled, her voice barely above a whisper. "You will leave Arus' airspace and never return. If you fail to comply within ten minutes, we will shoot you out of it. Your time starts now," she stated and reached over and closed the channel.

Lance turned his semi-angry gaze to Duvessa. "You know he's not going to comply," Lance muttered.

Duvessa nodded. "I know," she answered. She shook her head. "Not the way I wanted to put this back on, but…"

"You had to do it that way," Allura murmured. "I had heard that there was a declaration of sorts attached to the Black Crown."

Duvessa looked at Allura. "I will not take the throne from you. Only you can turn it over. It's part of the ancient laws," she stated.

Allura nodded. "So, ideas?" she asked, looking around the group.

Keith frowned. "We're going to have to shoot Lotor out of our airspace," he answered. He nodded towards Duvessa. "Her words."

"He will give us one hell of a fight, Keith," Lance agreed. He grinned. "Or, at least, he'll try to."

"He's going to deploy the…what was that robeast called?" Duvessa asked, looking back to Allura.

Allura nodded. "The predator robeast," Allura answered.

Duvessa nodded back. "Yes. The Lions are worried about it," she stated and looked towards the others.

"Yeah, it almost beat us," Pidge stated. He shook his head. "I don't know if we can defeat it. Wait, how do you know what robeast he'll use?"

"How I know isn't important. What is important is that you can defeat it," Duvessa stated. "You will defeat it." She frowned. "You all need to change into your flight suits as quickly as possible. Cadets, you, too. Hurry."

The others glanced at each other then ran to change.

X x x x x x x x

"The Black Devil dares to give me orders?" Lotor fumed. "And what was with her listing her titles before she put on that blasted crown of hers?"

"My lord, I believe it was a chant of awakening," Maahox answered. "She awoke the spirit of her crown. From the research I have gleened about this miserable planet, the crown she wears has several mystical powers and not all of them are known."

"Well, those powers won't help her now. We launch our assault," Lotor snarled. He spun to face the main bridge. "Once we are within the atmosphere launch the robeast and then begin landing the army!"

"Aye, aye, Your Majesty," the robot commander stated. He turned to the others on the bridge. "You heard the king! Make it happen!"

"Yes, sir!" came the cry from the others.

Lotor glared back at Maahox. "Where is my Haggarium armor? I will lead the ground assault."

Maahox bowed. "I shall get it out and help you put it on, my lord," he assured Lotor.