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"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a man's determination."— Tommy Lasorda

Chapter 28: An Emerging Dawn

The sumptuous room, bathed with gold garnishing and crimson-velvet wall coverings, complemented the Tiepolo ceiling. A rock crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the massive chamber lit the path for the Voltron Force to walk in.

As they moved along the middle aisle, escorted by Drule robots, they watched other Drule soldiers who stood by the grandiose golden throne waiting for them. To their sides, they saw hundreds of Drules in the reception area, eyeing them with great disdain. Others, their faces shining with sheer mockery, as they snidely laughed at them. The large bullion stairwell leading up to Zarkon's throne came closer and closer into view.

The five were led by a group of robot soldiers, one of them, their ally. Once they reached the beginning of the stairwell, the Drule soldiers ordered them to kneel for the king. The five followed the orders begrudgingly. Suddenly, they heard what sounded like trumpets and other strange instruments announcing the entrance of the King of Doom.

The cheers exploded like fireworks in the sky. Zarkon smiled at his triumph and the power he had over his people, "Friends of Doom, today begins a new era in our kingdom." The king began his speech. "Today is the first day of the beginning of the success of our planet. Today begins the fear we will impose on the rest of the Crimson Quadrant and the entire Denubian Galaxy!" The crowd grew wild as they applauded.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Lance blurted aloud. A robot signaled Maryann, who stood behind the lieutenant. In order to keep up appearances, she hit Lance in the back, hard, but not enough to cause him major harm.

"Hey!" Lance exploded in pain. Luckily the loud yells from the Doomites, still enthralled in Zarkon's speech, muffled his yell.

The king continued his announcement to the crowd, "A new dawn and a new leader is among us tonight. He will bring us power and crush those that are an obstacle to us. Bow to your new prince, the new savior of our world, my son…the new crowned Prince of Doom!"

Immediately the crowd grew silent and bowed in unison. The team was forced to turn around to face the crowd and to also bow to the person that walked toward the throne.

As the silence continued, Allura took a chance and lifted her head as she heard loud thumps of boots walking toward her. She gasped at what she saw.

A dark angel. His black uniform outlined the well-muscled curves of his body. His ebony hair cascaded down his shoulders, crystal; cold black eyes stared directly ahead, seeing no one but the king. His long, black cape looked like wings around him, following obediently in his path. A guard walked behind him, holding something Allura couldn't quite see.

She watched his face however, and she didn't like what she saw. He looked tormented, in pain, possibly sick. Pale, his eyes glassy, she knew he hid his pain, but he still managed to plaster a cold smile on his face for the king.

"Father," he bowed once he reached the stairwell. "Thank you for the honor you have bestowed upon me. I promise to serve you well." He stood a few feet from his former friends and didn't even so much as look at them.

Zarkon smiled, he had never been more pleased…with himself. "Rise my son. You have served me well."

Keith stood upright. He looked at his team as they bowed forcibly to him. He dismissed them without a care, his attention focused back on his father.

"Father, allow me to offer you a gift I've brought back for you from my latest conquest," Keith turned around. "Come," he ordered the soldier that stood behind him. Quickly, the soldier walked up to Keith, carrying what now looked like a golden platter with a lid on top. "My Lord," he acknowledged, waiting for Keith's reply.

"Open it," Keith ordered.

With that, the soldier opened the platter to reveal a most awful site. Even Allura gasped aloud. Zarkon, on the contrary, beamed with pride as he saw the severed head of Throk on the platter.

"Father, make sure you show others what it means to defy you," Keith proudly suggested.

"Thank you my son, you've made me extremely proud," Zarkon voiced. "Hail, to the crowned Prince!" he shouted as the crowd became wild. Lance shook his head in frustration and regret.

Inside the suit, Maryann studied Keith. She knew right then they had used her technology on the Voltron Commander. She also noticed his appearance; the slight perspiring, the dilation of the pupils, the pale face, signs of rejection.

She had seen these symptoms in certain subjects during testing. None had been human, but the effects were the same. In the commander's case, however, they were killing him. She groaned inwardly, it can't be…they used our own technology against us!

Zarkon raised his hand to calm the crowd down. "Son, as you know, one day you will be king. But, you will need a queen to continue the dynasty. I would like to offer you your betrothed." With that, Starr walked out from a door located on the side of the throne.

Wearing a beautiful black satin, strapless, evening gown, Starr took the breath away from all the male Drules that surrounded her. Diamonds sprinkled over the bust line and trickled down to the waist. Her hair was pulled up and held by a tiara full of diamonds, rubies, and black onyx crystals. Her cat like, blue eyes shined bright against the smoky, dark eye shadow painted over her lids and frosted with a pinkish gloss, her full lips begged to be kissed. She looked regal, dangerous, and her eyes only looked at the prince as she walked down the stairwell.

As she walked toward him, Starr deliberately passed near enough to Allura that the skirt of the gown brushed against the princess' legs. Nearing her destination, she extended her hand to her future husband, a smile on her face that was all for him. The prince took it and pulled her toward him. Keith kissed her, but then heard Allura breathe out in pain as she lowered her head and looked away. He immediately stopped. Turning his head, he looked at Allura and saw her pain. For reasons unknown to him, he immediately distanced himself from Starr by taking a step away from her.

It all happened within seconds and Lance didn't notice the sudden action. All he heard was Allura gasp in pain and his anger made him bolt and hurl himself at his former best friend.

"You bastard!" he yelled.

"Lance! No!" Allura shouted as she tried to stop him, but Keith was too quick.

The prince grabbed Lance by the arms and slammed him to the floor just as Starr rushed to get out of the way. Allura screamed in fright as she watched Lance being body slammed and Keith reaching for his blaster. Zarkon halted the soldiers from interrupting the events and calmly watched the display in front of him as the crowd shouted for murder.

Once on the floor, Keith pushed his knee into Lance's chest as he placed his blaster against the lieutenant's head. Lance didn't cower. "Do it! Kill me in the same sick way you killed Throk. I don't care, pull the damn trigger! Pull it!" Lance's eyes grew wild as he stared back at ice black eyes.

Keith tried to pull on the trigger, but he could not. Something deep inside him prevented him from doing so. Zarkon intently watched Keith's battle within himself.

Instead of pulling the trigger, he hit Lance in the face with the butt of the gun. Lance felt the blow and for a moment, his vision dimmed, but he forced himself not to black out. "Take them all to the cells!" Keith ordered the guards. Without question, they obey his command. Two guards immediately pick up Lance, "I knew you wouldn't do it!" Lance yelled as they take him and the rest of the team away down the aisle.

As the force is taken away, the crowd yelled obscenities to them, some of them grabbing at them and trying to hit them as the soldiers stop the crowd from getting to them. Keith watched the scene, breathing heavily as Starr tried to comfort him.

Zarkon called upon Cossack, who quickly ran up the stairs, while Starr attempted to talk to Keith to make sure he is alright. "Dismiss the crowd and escort the prince and princess to the royal chambers."

"Yes Sire." Cossack replied as he descends and communicates with the royal couple. The king watched as Cossack relayed the message and both head over to the door that Starr entered through. Zarkon then descended down the stairs, following his new acquisitions as Cossack began dismissing the crowd.

xxxxxxxxxx

Once inside the meeting chambers, Zarkon walked over to Keith, putting his hand on his shoulder. He could see the young man's rage and confusion battle together in his eyes. He also saw something wrong with him. He looked sick. The witch had to work fast. "Son, this didn't go as planned, but I assure you that I will make your coronation ceremony the most memorable in our galaxy."

"That's alright Father. Lance shouldn't have acted with such disrespect in front of you," Keith answered solemnly as he wiped at the perspiration forming on his forehead.

The event between the prince and the princess of Arus did not go unnoticed by the king. He felt a sudden unease when he noticed the prince's reaction when Allura responded toward his kissing Starr. Keith hadn't forgotten his past. Zarkon suspected that the prince's feelings toward Allura were growing stronger. This could pose a great problem. "Son, why don't you take your bride and rest in the royal chambers?" He taunted, trying to access his suspicions.

Keith stared at the woman who had smiled at him as soon as the suggestion materialized. "No," he flatly replied as Starr's eyes flew open with rage. He smiled mockingly. "I have a headache."

Zarkon's studied him more, "You don't want to spend the night with your queen?"

"I'd rather want to be alone tonight if it is the same with you," Keith rubbed his eyes with the points of his thumb and index finger. "I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."

"But Keith!" Starr ran to him. "I can help you relax," she smiled uneasily.

He gave her a disgusted look, "Don't you understand? I don't want you!" with that, he turned and left the lounge.

Starr turned to Zarkon, "What was that about?"

Even though the matter worried him greatly, Zarkon shrugged disinterest, not wanting to alert Starr of his thoughts, "He doesn't want you. What am I supposed to do? Get over it Starr, you'll have other opportunities. Go to your chambers for the night. I'll speak to him in the morning."

About to retaliate, she immediately silenced herself when she saw Zarkon's challenging stare, "Did you want to tell me something Starr?"

"Nothing…my King," she answered before bowing and leaving the room just as Cossack entered, "Your Majesty, the people have been dismissed."

"Good," Zarkon answered. "I need something else. Have Princess Allura changed into one of the concubine's attire and take her to the prince's room. Offer her to him, and if he denies her…you and your guards can have her."

Cossack smiled at this, "As you wish, Sire," he turned and was about to leave the room when Zarkon stopped him, "Cossack?"

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Do you have news on the good doctor? Have you found her?"

At this Cossack stiffened. "No…no Sire. We haven't been able to locate her."

"I'm very disappointed Cossack," the king paused for a moment before he began again, "You have until tonight. If you don't find her, I'll have my son kill you. There is no longer a place for failure in this kingdom."

Cossack nodded, a frightened look entered his eyes, "I won't fail Sire, I'll find her tonight." With that, he left quickly, leaving Zarkon's deadly gaze behind him.

Once alone, Zarkon yelled out, "Haggar!"

At this, the old witch magically appeared, "Yes Zarkon."

"I need to start the procedure tonight. My son is beginning to slip away from my grasp and I can not allow that to happen."

"Should we take him now?" The witch asked.

"No, I need to be certain of something first. But, when the time is right tonight, make sure it happens," the king stated before he explained the plan to the witch.

Nodding in understanding, Haggar replied, "I will do as you command, King Zarkon."

VVVVVVVVVV

Lotor laughed in wicked delight when he entered the servants' quarters of Castle Doom. It felt like years since he lived inside the castle, even though he knew only a few weeks had passed since his excommunication. He quickly entered one of the servants' quarters and began rummaging for something to wear. He could not make it through the castle looking the way he did. He was dirty, smelled, his once white mane had grown brown from mud and dirt from the ground he slept on, it was also tangled to no end. Its gloss, beauty and shine withered away like the little respect he once held for his father.

He walked over to a broken mirror hanging by one of the walls and looked at himself. Thrown out like an animal! He thought to himself and he felt like one. For weeks, he ate and slept like one. It was during those times that he thought about the culprit that put him in that position. Lotor's face contorted to one full of rage, disgust, and pure anger when the face of his father came to mind.

"Sire, where to now?" Danner asked as he looked around the room fascinated. Although the room was meagerly decorated with old furniture that looked raggedy and broken, Danner looked at with longing. To him, this was the best accommodations he had seen in years.

"Nowhere for you old man, your deed is now complete," Lotor turned. "Help me change. If I am correct, there are a few rooms down this corridor that are unoccupied. You will stay in one of them until I return for you."

"Yes Sire," Danner answered. "Thank you."

Lotor turned to face him; his yellow eyes cold as he looked at him. He walked up to Danner, "When this is over you will live out the rest of your days like a king. This, I promise."

Danner laughed like a sick, demented fool. He didn't care. He was done, finished, his wish fulfilled. Lotor didn't console him. Before, he could fulfill his promise to the old man, he had to take care of unfinished business and that included taking care of another king himself.

VVVVVVVVVV

Starr walked into her quarters, shaking with anger. "How dare he reject me!" She screamed as she tore the tiara off her head. "After everything I've done for him!" The woman knew that wasn't true. If there was anything Starr did, she knew she had done it for herself. She didn't even love the man.

The woman loved that Zarkon was fascinated with his "new son," because that secured her place in the kingdom. She wasn't going to let the Doom king or anyone steal that place. Not even Zarkon's esteemed prince. He was nothing, just a pawn in Zarkon's twisted plan for preserving his kingdom.

"I need to relax…think," she told herself as she walked to the bathroom. "I'll give him time…maybe even present myself to him a little later." Starr smiled a bit, even though her anger still barked at her.

Once in the bathroom, she filled the large, oval, onyx tub with water. She undressed and just when the tub was filled enough with hot water, she slid in and began soaking in it. She laid her head back against the small pillow on the back of the tub and relaxed, thinking of what to wear to entice her future husband. "Maybe a little wine of Tyrus might help him relax a bit more." Starr smiled as she closed her eyes and began scheming.

VVVVVVVVVV

The five of them were brought back to a cell, escorted by three robot guards, one of which wasn't really a robot.

"Well, at least this time we're together," Lance admonished flatly as he rubbed his jaw. The robot guards closed the cell doors and stood outside, keeping vigil.

Looking at him, Allura shook her head in frustration, "Serves you right! Did you have to challenge him?"

Lance snorted, "What the hell Princess! Did you see what he did to you! I was trying to defend you!"

"He nearly killed you!" She blasted back. Allura then noticed how Lance looked down, embarrassed by his actions, but still angered. She sighed and hugged him, "I'm sorry. I know what you were doing was to protect me…but you have to remember, it's not him. That's not our Keith. What he's doing…it's just not him."

"What if it is?" Sven cautiously interjected. "Allura, maybe what they did to him is permanent. Look at what he did."

"I know how it looks, but please trust me when I tell you, he's fighting to come back. He is. When he kissed that woman and he heard my reaction," she momentarily smiled. "I saw the pain in his eyes. He knew he had hurt me. Don't you see? He is still somewhere in there! He's fighting it! We have to help him!"

Just then, one of the robot's communicators went off. The guard picked it up. He spoke Drulian so the prisoners wouldn't understand what he had said. Once he finished the conversation, the three guards opened the cell doors and one of them walked up to Allura, pulling her out from the group. The remaining men immediately charged at the guards.

"Where are you taking her?" Lance shouted as Pidge and Hunk tried to lunge at one of the guards.

"You're not taking her!" Sven then snarled. However, the guard quickly retrieved a blaster from his holster, putting the nozzle against Allura's head. He didn't have to say anything, the others abruptly stopped.

The guard gave the other two specific directions and within moments the guards had their weapons pointed at the group.

"Where are you taking me? Let me go!" Allura yelled as she struggled against the guard holding her. However, that only made it worse; the robot held her even tighter and walked out of the dungeons with the princess in his arms.

Once out, the other two robots began walking out, taking steps backwards as to avoid an attack if they turned around. Lance noticed that one robot always paid close attention to what the other did before doing it. It happened within seconds, but Lance was shocked to see that the very observant robot turned around suddenly and blasted the remaining guard inside the dungeon.

Immediately, Sven grabbed the blaster from the dead robot and tossed it to Lance.

"What the…"Hunk began to exclaim before he was silenced by the robot.

"Shh! Don't bring any more attention to us," the robot immediately stated.

Lance looked at the robot in shock, Sounds like a girl!

The robot took off the mask that covered the face. Lance's eyes widened when he saw the beauty that emerged out of the robot skin. "Who are you?"

"Dr. Maryann Marseilles, Galaxy Garrison," she whispered, her French accent sounding more pronounced. "I've come to rescue you."

For the first time, Lance grinned sarcastically. "Oh yes Doctor, I really need rescuing," he nodded.

"Cut the crap Lance. We need to get out of here," Sven broke in.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop them from taking the princess. As soon as he put the gun to her head, I didn't want to risk..."

Sven nodded, "I know. You did the right thing."

"We need a plan," Pidge offered as a reminder.

Maryann nodded, "He's right and whatever we plan, we better do it fast. I only planned to rescue you from the dungeons. I'm leaving the rest up to you!"

"Right," Lance volunteered as he looked down at the dead robot. His head came up almost at once, "We better start thinking because I don't think the princess has much more time."