Destiny: Chapter 8 Destiny
Ch. 8/?
By Arus
Disclaimer: "Voltron, Defender of the Universe", "Voltron 3D", and its characters are ©1984 & ©2000 World Events Productions, Ltd. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Original characters and storyline are property of the author, please do not use, reproduce, or repost without permission.
"We have set this room for you while you stay here," Lance said as he pressed a button one of the guest room doors and the door slid open. "I'm not sure about your accommodations wherever you came from, but I'm sure you will find this adequate enough."
The young girl stepped into the room and looked around. She slowly nodded as she turned to him.
"It's more than adequate," she said. "And I thank you for the hospitality."
"If you need anything, feel free to notify one of the castle maids or ring us," he said. "And I'm sure you would like to get some rest. It has been an eventful day for all of us."
"Lance was it?" she asked as she turned to him.
"Yes?"
"That man, earlier, the one that questioned me about the picture he held."
"Yes, what about him?"
"Who is he?" she asked.
"He is Captain Keith Hayashi, pilot of the Black Lion that forms Voltron," he said. "Why do you ask?"
She shook her head a little as she turned away. "He is one of us isn't he?"
"His mother is the lost princess Lyana," Lance stated. "However, her daughter, Anala, the other woman you met today, she is now Queen over Vallis."
She slowly nodded. "There will be much to pay.." she mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
She turned to him and with a smile she said, "I'm a little tired, I think I will take a little nap."
Lance nodeed. "Then I will wake you as soon as dinner is ready this evening. Brendt, has also expressed that he wishes to see you when you are ready. He is an Elder from Vallis and would like to learn of what has happened to you and the other displaced Vallusians on the planet you came from. And when you feel its fine, we would like to ask you about that as well, so we can determine the best way to return them to Vallis."
She nodded. "I will be more than happy to answer any questions they may have," she said. "For now, I would just like to feel the comfort of a soft bed for once."
"I won't deny that request," he said. "Goodday, Anri."
She watched as he left the room and the door slid close behind him. She let out a sigh as she turned to the bed before her and fell onto it. She breathed in deeply, as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool feeling of silk under her skin.
She then let out a gasp as she was roughly turned over and suddenly her arms were pinned to the mattress below her. She felt a heavy weight come down on her as her vision cleared and she stared into the dark eyes of the person above her.
"Took you long enough to get here, Anri, I was getting worried."
Her eyes narrowed as she stared up at him, confusion crossing her features as she stared up into the face of the Captain she had met earlier.
"You," she said. "What the hell do you think you are doing…."
He placed a finger to her lips and shook his head with a smile. "It's me, Anri," he said. "Who else would have gone through the trouble of contacting you?"
She stared into his eyes again, and suddenly hers widened as she struggled under his hold. "It can't be," she started to say. "We thought the rumors were true."
"Oh, they are, my dear," he said with a smile.
"Kelar?"
**********
Allura looked up from her small desk as the door to her personal office slid open. She smiled as she stood and Keith entered the office. The door slid close behind him as he approached her.
"I hear that we have a name to go along with our Jane Doe?" she asked.
"Yes," he said with a smile. "She says her name is Anri and that she came from a planet known as Lysia."
"Lysia?" Allura asked as she took a seat at her desk again.
"You heard of it?"
"I can't really say," she said as she leaned her elbows on her desk. "The name does sound familiar, however."
"I'm having Pidge look into it," he said. "Are you busy right now?"
"Not at the moment," she said. "I just finished some paperwork for Coran, so I'm pretty much free."
He smiled as he walked up to her. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for lunch?"
She smiled. "I'd be happy to."
*********
Anri quietly sat on the bed as she held the bed covers to her. She smiled to herself as she watched Kelar stand in front of the window in the room she was in.
"Your death caused a big uproar among the slaves," Anri stated as she stared at him. "That whelp clone of yours decided to make use of the news."
"Clone?" he asked as he turned to her.
"The one you had called Alex," she stated "The one that looks like that captain…the one that looks like you."
Kelar smiled as he turned from the window and walked toward her. "Ah, yes I remember, now," he said. "I had what, 10…20 …I forget how many clones I've had made."
"The Baron has been waiting for some relieve, he cannot handle the rebel forces for long."
"And how did you happen to come about that little disc that was made?" he asked.
She smiled. "I took care of the person who was supposed to deliver it," she said. "I didn't even know that disc was in the ship until that…."
He nodded. "I will be taking care of that real soon," he stated.
"But how….."
"A little secret," he said. "Something that the Elders could not take away from me."
"The Elders?" she asked.
"What do you have planned?" she asked. "Why did you call for me?"
"Is my laboratory on Lysia still standing?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "Its one of the few building that the Rebels have left alone."
"Good, I will be needing it," he said. "It's the one place that I can use to make this little situation of mines, a little more permanent."
"But if you take his form, then what happens to him?"
He smiled. "That's where you come in my dear," he said. "I will need you to lure them all to Lysia, so that I can deal with them personally."
He then took his hand into his own, and slowly traced the curves of finger.
"They will all pay for what they have done to me, and taken from me," he said. "Especially their beloved Captain."
"And what of Anala and Lyana?"
"They will die," he said as he kissed the top of her hand. "And with Captain Keith out of the way, and their deaths guaranteed, I will be the one to secede to the throne, being the only heir left."
She smiled. "No hard feelings over Lyana?"
"Hardly," he said as he pulled her to him. "I have my sights set on another."
"Oh?" she asked as she breathed in deeply. "Though, I must agree on one thing, Kelar. I do like this body better."
"Let's just see how much you do," he said as he took her into a kiss.
**********
"Okay, let me understand this much," Lance started as he then turned to Anala. "The, uh…the uh.."
"Wings."
"Yeah, wings, they just grow out from your back?"
She smiled. "If you want, I can show you just how they work."
"No, no no, not necessary," he said as he shook his head. He then walked up to her and took a seat next to her on the sofa she was on.
"I just want to know how, I mean, when one looks at you, your back, is like…normal."
She smiled. "Yes," she said. "Here, I want you to feel something,"
She turned her back to him and grabbed his hand. She then let him feel her back to where the familiar nubs were.
"Feel that?"
"Yeah," he said and she turned back to him, smiling to see the wonder in his eyes.
"That's where they form from," she said.
"But, I've seen your wingspan, and its…huge…" he stammered. "Where do you 'hide' that?"
Anala could not help but laugh. "Hiding is a looser term to describe it," she said. "Actually, its' the workings of several hollow and retractable bones."
"Retractable bones?" he asked.
"You're familiar with the anatomy of birds right?" she asked.
"Yes."
"It's the same for us," she staed. "However, unlike birds, our bones can retract unto themselves."
"And what about the plumage?"
"They too retract as well."
"And they just 'hide' into your back?"
"In a loose description yes," she said with a smile.
"But, the size of the feathers alone…"
"Lance, you know how they say there are some things left to nature that cannot be explained?"
"Yes."
"This is one of those 'things'," she said. "It's a trait that has been with our people for many eons."
"Does that mean, Keith has them too?" he asked.
She nodded. "As with fingerprints, a Valusian wings are identifiable," she said. "Keith was and has been the only Valusian to be born with white feathers."
"Is that strange?" he asked.
"Very," she stated. "We are usually, multi-colored plumage. Single color plumage are rare, its significance are only known to the Elders. Only two have ever had single color plumage."
"Keith?"
She nodded. "And Kelar."
"Kelar?" he asked. "The guy you guys ousted?"
"You could say."
"What color were his wings?"
"Black," she said.
"The same color feathers I found on the balcony last night?"
"Yes," she said.
"But if Keith is white, your brown with white, what color are your mothers?"
"Red with brown," she stated.
"Then why are we finding black feathers?" he asked. "If Kelar is dead…."
"That's what we are trying to figure out."
"Have you been able to explain what is happening to Allura then?" he asked.
Anala slowly shook her head. "There is a stage in which all Valusians go through which is called the Nilan," she said. She then pulled the sleeve of her dress up and showed him her wrist. "This chain of marks encircle us as we go through this stage."
"A growth stage?" he asked.
She smiled. "Our final 'trip' into maturity," she said with a smile. "To signify to others that we are….to put it nicely, ready."
"Ready for what?"
"Why do male robins show off their breasts?"
Lance's expression changed to one of understanding. "Okay," he said.
"But during this time, our desires become a bit more…controlling," she said. "In some its so strong that it can pass on to others, like two animals in heat."
"So this is what's happening to Allura?" he asked.
She nodded. "At least that's what Brendt is thinking since Allura is not Vallusian," she said. "But she doesn't remember anything that has happened."
"Has happened?" he asked. "Do you think…"
"No, no," she said. "We can't until we are done with the Nilan. Allura shows signs of it, but she is no where near done."
"How long does it take?"
"In most of us, usually a couple of months. Some weeks. Some never go through it."
"How long have you been going through yours?" he asked.
"For a couple of months now," she said with a smile.
"And Keith?"
"That's the odd part," she said. "He's done."
"Done?"
"One day."
"Isn't that odd?"
"Very."
"Aren't you concerned?"
"Yes," she said. "Because it's not supposed to happen."
"If its not supposed to happen, then why did it?" he asked.
"Everything so far has been odd, Lance," she said as concern crossed her features. "Keith goes through the Nilan in one day, but he started it after me.
"Yes," he said. "Then Allura gets these strange attacks. And every time they happen, she has no recollection save for the moment right after it does."
"And then this girl, Anri appears in a ship of old Vallusian origin, from who knows where, with a plea for help."
Lance pondered over it for a bit.
"Say that we find out where this Lysia is and we all decide to help free the slaves, your people," he started. "Would that mean you would go?"
"It's my duty," she said.
"And assuming that you do go, I'm sure your mother would follow as well," he said.
"Yes."
"Now, if you both go, on the word of this girl," he went on. He then turned quiet for a moment.
"What is it?"
"Anala, what would happen should anything happen to you or your mother?"
"Like what?"
"Worst case scenario, you both die?"
"Keith is the next rightful heir," she said. "Why?"
"Now, going back to the ball last night, when I found Allura, she immediately knocked the lights out of Keith," he said. "And when you found her last night….."
Anala met his gaze.
"You don't think?"
"Is there anything that would make someone do something without knowing it?" he asked.
"No," she said. "Our abilities are limited, but to be …."
"Well, he can't be in two places at one time….and when Allura was 'attacked ' on the balcony, he was inside dancing with you."
"Two places at one time…" she mumbled.
"Its impossible."
Her eyes then widened. "No," she said. "Damn. I totally forgot about that."
"What?"
She immediately got to her feet and grabbed his hand and started to pull him off the sofa.
"I have to find Brendt," she said. "Do you remember where my mother is?"
"I saw them earlier with Coran, why?"
"I have to speak with them."
"About what?"
She met his gaze. "A ghost is not to blame here," she said as they neared the door. "It's actually Keith."
"What?"
"Come, all will be explained," she said.
The door slid close behind them as they left the room.
Ch. 8/?
By Arus
Disclaimer: "Voltron, Defender of the Universe", "Voltron 3D", and its characters are ©1984 & ©2000 World Events Productions, Ltd. This story is for entertainment purposes only. Original characters and storyline are property of the author, please do not use, reproduce, or repost without permission.
"We have set this room for you while you stay here," Lance said as he pressed a button one of the guest room doors and the door slid open. "I'm not sure about your accommodations wherever you came from, but I'm sure you will find this adequate enough."
The young girl stepped into the room and looked around. She slowly nodded as she turned to him.
"It's more than adequate," she said. "And I thank you for the hospitality."
"If you need anything, feel free to notify one of the castle maids or ring us," he said. "And I'm sure you would like to get some rest. It has been an eventful day for all of us."
"Lance was it?" she asked as she turned to him.
"Yes?"
"That man, earlier, the one that questioned me about the picture he held."
"Yes, what about him?"
"Who is he?" she asked.
"He is Captain Keith Hayashi, pilot of the Black Lion that forms Voltron," he said. "Why do you ask?"
She shook her head a little as she turned away. "He is one of us isn't he?"
"His mother is the lost princess Lyana," Lance stated. "However, her daughter, Anala, the other woman you met today, she is now Queen over Vallis."
She slowly nodded. "There will be much to pay.." she mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
She turned to him and with a smile she said, "I'm a little tired, I think I will take a little nap."
Lance nodeed. "Then I will wake you as soon as dinner is ready this evening. Brendt, has also expressed that he wishes to see you when you are ready. He is an Elder from Vallis and would like to learn of what has happened to you and the other displaced Vallusians on the planet you came from. And when you feel its fine, we would like to ask you about that as well, so we can determine the best way to return them to Vallis."
She nodded. "I will be more than happy to answer any questions they may have," she said. "For now, I would just like to feel the comfort of a soft bed for once."
"I won't deny that request," he said. "Goodday, Anri."
She watched as he left the room and the door slid close behind him. She let out a sigh as she turned to the bed before her and fell onto it. She breathed in deeply, as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool feeling of silk under her skin.
She then let out a gasp as she was roughly turned over and suddenly her arms were pinned to the mattress below her. She felt a heavy weight come down on her as her vision cleared and she stared into the dark eyes of the person above her.
"Took you long enough to get here, Anri, I was getting worried."
Her eyes narrowed as she stared up at him, confusion crossing her features as she stared up into the face of the Captain she had met earlier.
"You," she said. "What the hell do you think you are doing…."
He placed a finger to her lips and shook his head with a smile. "It's me, Anri," he said. "Who else would have gone through the trouble of contacting you?"
She stared into his eyes again, and suddenly hers widened as she struggled under his hold. "It can't be," she started to say. "We thought the rumors were true."
"Oh, they are, my dear," he said with a smile.
"Kelar?"
**********
Allura looked up from her small desk as the door to her personal office slid open. She smiled as she stood and Keith entered the office. The door slid close behind him as he approached her.
"I hear that we have a name to go along with our Jane Doe?" she asked.
"Yes," he said with a smile. "She says her name is Anri and that she came from a planet known as Lysia."
"Lysia?" Allura asked as she took a seat at her desk again.
"You heard of it?"
"I can't really say," she said as she leaned her elbows on her desk. "The name does sound familiar, however."
"I'm having Pidge look into it," he said. "Are you busy right now?"
"Not at the moment," she said. "I just finished some paperwork for Coran, so I'm pretty much free."
He smiled as he walked up to her. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for lunch?"
She smiled. "I'd be happy to."
*********
Anri quietly sat on the bed as she held the bed covers to her. She smiled to herself as she watched Kelar stand in front of the window in the room she was in.
"Your death caused a big uproar among the slaves," Anri stated as she stared at him. "That whelp clone of yours decided to make use of the news."
"Clone?" he asked as he turned to her.
"The one you had called Alex," she stated "The one that looks like that captain…the one that looks like you."
Kelar smiled as he turned from the window and walked toward her. "Ah, yes I remember, now," he said. "I had what, 10…20 …I forget how many clones I've had made."
"The Baron has been waiting for some relieve, he cannot handle the rebel forces for long."
"And how did you happen to come about that little disc that was made?" he asked.
She smiled. "I took care of the person who was supposed to deliver it," she said. "I didn't even know that disc was in the ship until that…."
He nodded. "I will be taking care of that real soon," he stated.
"But how….."
"A little secret," he said. "Something that the Elders could not take away from me."
"The Elders?" she asked.
"What do you have planned?" she asked. "Why did you call for me?"
"Is my laboratory on Lysia still standing?" he asked.
"Yes," she said. "Its one of the few building that the Rebels have left alone."
"Good, I will be needing it," he said. "It's the one place that I can use to make this little situation of mines, a little more permanent."
"But if you take his form, then what happens to him?"
He smiled. "That's where you come in my dear," he said. "I will need you to lure them all to Lysia, so that I can deal with them personally."
He then took his hand into his own, and slowly traced the curves of finger.
"They will all pay for what they have done to me, and taken from me," he said. "Especially their beloved Captain."
"And what of Anala and Lyana?"
"They will die," he said as he kissed the top of her hand. "And with Captain Keith out of the way, and their deaths guaranteed, I will be the one to secede to the throne, being the only heir left."
She smiled. "No hard feelings over Lyana?"
"Hardly," he said as he pulled her to him. "I have my sights set on another."
"Oh?" she asked as she breathed in deeply. "Though, I must agree on one thing, Kelar. I do like this body better."
"Let's just see how much you do," he said as he took her into a kiss.
**********
"Okay, let me understand this much," Lance started as he then turned to Anala. "The, uh…the uh.."
"Wings."
"Yeah, wings, they just grow out from your back?"
She smiled. "If you want, I can show you just how they work."
"No, no no, not necessary," he said as he shook his head. He then walked up to her and took a seat next to her on the sofa she was on.
"I just want to know how, I mean, when one looks at you, your back, is like…normal."
She smiled. "Yes," she said. "Here, I want you to feel something,"
She turned her back to him and grabbed his hand. She then let him feel her back to where the familiar nubs were.
"Feel that?"
"Yeah," he said and she turned back to him, smiling to see the wonder in his eyes.
"That's where they form from," she said.
"But, I've seen your wingspan, and its…huge…" he stammered. "Where do you 'hide' that?"
Anala could not help but laugh. "Hiding is a looser term to describe it," she said. "Actually, its' the workings of several hollow and retractable bones."
"Retractable bones?" he asked.
"You're familiar with the anatomy of birds right?" she asked.
"Yes."
"It's the same for us," she staed. "However, unlike birds, our bones can retract unto themselves."
"And what about the plumage?"
"They too retract as well."
"And they just 'hide' into your back?"
"In a loose description yes," she said with a smile.
"But, the size of the feathers alone…"
"Lance, you know how they say there are some things left to nature that cannot be explained?"
"Yes."
"This is one of those 'things'," she said. "It's a trait that has been with our people for many eons."
"Does that mean, Keith has them too?" he asked.
She nodded. "As with fingerprints, a Valusian wings are identifiable," she said. "Keith was and has been the only Valusian to be born with white feathers."
"Is that strange?" he asked.
"Very," she stated. "We are usually, multi-colored plumage. Single color plumage are rare, its significance are only known to the Elders. Only two have ever had single color plumage."
"Keith?"
She nodded. "And Kelar."
"Kelar?" he asked. "The guy you guys ousted?"
"You could say."
"What color were his wings?"
"Black," she said.
"The same color feathers I found on the balcony last night?"
"Yes," she said.
"But if Keith is white, your brown with white, what color are your mothers?"
"Red with brown," she stated.
"Then why are we finding black feathers?" he asked. "If Kelar is dead…."
"That's what we are trying to figure out."
"Have you been able to explain what is happening to Allura then?" he asked.
Anala slowly shook her head. "There is a stage in which all Valusians go through which is called the Nilan," she said. She then pulled the sleeve of her dress up and showed him her wrist. "This chain of marks encircle us as we go through this stage."
"A growth stage?" he asked.
She smiled. "Our final 'trip' into maturity," she said with a smile. "To signify to others that we are….to put it nicely, ready."
"Ready for what?"
"Why do male robins show off their breasts?"
Lance's expression changed to one of understanding. "Okay," he said.
"But during this time, our desires become a bit more…controlling," she said. "In some its so strong that it can pass on to others, like two animals in heat."
"So this is what's happening to Allura?" he asked.
She nodded. "At least that's what Brendt is thinking since Allura is not Vallusian," she said. "But she doesn't remember anything that has happened."
"Has happened?" he asked. "Do you think…"
"No, no," she said. "We can't until we are done with the Nilan. Allura shows signs of it, but she is no where near done."
"How long does it take?"
"In most of us, usually a couple of months. Some weeks. Some never go through it."
"How long have you been going through yours?" he asked.
"For a couple of months now," she said with a smile.
"And Keith?"
"That's the odd part," she said. "He's done."
"Done?"
"One day."
"Isn't that odd?"
"Very."
"Aren't you concerned?"
"Yes," she said. "Because it's not supposed to happen."
"If its not supposed to happen, then why did it?" he asked.
"Everything so far has been odd, Lance," she said as concern crossed her features. "Keith goes through the Nilan in one day, but he started it after me.
"Yes," he said. "Then Allura gets these strange attacks. And every time they happen, she has no recollection save for the moment right after it does."
"And then this girl, Anri appears in a ship of old Vallusian origin, from who knows where, with a plea for help."
Lance pondered over it for a bit.
"Say that we find out where this Lysia is and we all decide to help free the slaves, your people," he started. "Would that mean you would go?"
"It's my duty," she said.
"And assuming that you do go, I'm sure your mother would follow as well," he said.
"Yes."
"Now, if you both go, on the word of this girl," he went on. He then turned quiet for a moment.
"What is it?"
"Anala, what would happen should anything happen to you or your mother?"
"Like what?"
"Worst case scenario, you both die?"
"Keith is the next rightful heir," she said. "Why?"
"Now, going back to the ball last night, when I found Allura, she immediately knocked the lights out of Keith," he said. "And when you found her last night….."
Anala met his gaze.
"You don't think?"
"Is there anything that would make someone do something without knowing it?" he asked.
"No," she said. "Our abilities are limited, but to be …."
"Well, he can't be in two places at one time….and when Allura was 'attacked ' on the balcony, he was inside dancing with you."
"Two places at one time…" she mumbled.
"Its impossible."
Her eyes then widened. "No," she said. "Damn. I totally forgot about that."
"What?"
She immediately got to her feet and grabbed his hand and started to pull him off the sofa.
"I have to find Brendt," she said. "Do you remember where my mother is?"
"I saw them earlier with Coran, why?"
"I have to speak with them."
"About what?"
She met his gaze. "A ghost is not to blame here," she said as they neared the door. "It's actually Keith."
"What?"
"Come, all will be explained," she said.
The door slid close behind them as they left the room.