Shards of a Different World
CHAPTER ONE
The Voltron force made their way through the cave fast, but understandably cautious. The castle computers track witch Haggar from the time she was first spotted too close to Arus for anyone's liking, to her landing not far from the Castle of Lions. Now she was deep in caves the team all knew easily led to various passages leading into the castle.
Keith was more unnerved than anyone about it all. Today was an anniversary that Haggar should have hidden herself deep in the core of what remained of planet Doom rather than show up on Arus uninvited and unwelcome. Especially in this set of caverns.
Allura looked over at him with concern on her face. She knew how rough this day was for him every year, and Haggar's appearance did nothing to help matters. Yet, she also knew that of the team she alone knew the reason why. More so in the caves they were rushing through.
The pair got ahead of the team a ways, and soon came to a cliff. Keith easily leapt up onto it, and casually grabbed Allura's wrists to help her up.
"Keith, I'm not a little girl that needs help getting up these facings anymore." Allura giggled as he halted midway of dragging her up to the landing he was leaning over.
"Would you prefer that I let you go?"
Allura chuckled. At least he still would smile for her – now and then that is. "No! Just ask me next time. Would you?"
"Agreed. I remember this cave. Been too many years since that day."
"Yes. I miss him, Keith." Allura fought hard to keep her tears back. For Keith's sake she had to be strong.
"Me too …" he whispered just as the rest finally caught up to them.
Lance saw the pair whispering and couldn't resist. "Looks like the three of us should hang back a while. I think that the love birds need some quality time before we pound Haggar for making our lives miserable."
Keith growled softly, and Allura glared a death stare at the pilot of Red Lion. Lance had been pushing it far too much as of late. None of their friends knew how uncomfortable their taunts and assumptions of Keith and Allura pairing off made her or their leader. "Lance, unless you want night watch for the next six months, back off – and I mean now!"
She could hear the others snicker on, but Keith had already moved on. If the team only knew the truth.
*^*^*^* DEEP IN THE CAVES *^*^*^*
Haggar watched the five heroes make their way quickly to her position. They were following her plan perfectly! "Finally, I will have all that should have been mine so long ago! All I need do is take the two of them out of the equation and I will be free at last."
Blue Cat hissed at something lurking within the shadows. But Haggar had felt his presence since she landed her Doom craft. "Come out Alfor. You didn't really expect that you could hide from me now? I am more powerful than you ever dreamed! Come close so you can watch as I remove the only obstacles from my regaining that freedom you ripped from me so long ago!"
"Haggar, I did what I had to all of those years ago. You betrayed me in the worse of ways." Alfor hoped that maybe he could spare the team this dark moment with words.
"And you didn't betray me? I told you that I was tricked … that I was so sorry … that I loved you above all … but none of that mattered to you. You wouldn't even let me say goodbye … and you left me to my fate as his wife! Now I take your joys from you as you once took mine from me!" Haggar screamed in her rage and pain, as she turned her head from the ghost of that great man she still loved to try hiding her lonely and sorrow filled tears.
In doing that she didn't see the tears of agony and regret that shone in his eyes and trickled down his face. "I was hurt … angry. When I saw the truth I went in search for you … but it was too late … he took you too soon. At least give them the chance we have never allowed one another. Please azure angel."
"Fine. But only to see what he's made of. He's probably a betrayer like you. He'll put the truth over everything. If he chooses correctly, then I will give him the evidence he has longed for all of these years – otherwise the truth comes out against him." Haggar snapped. He had no right to use that old pet name with her.
"I was not a betrayer, and nor were you. We both were betrayed by others. Thank you for giving them the chance. He'll make you proud. Just watch and see." Alfor sighed with relief. It was more than he had originally hoped for. Perhaps their family would find a way out of this hate and torment after all.
I know … not the chapter that you are looking for. That's at home, and I'm at school with time to kill. Should I go on? This story does get complex and has several branches to it. You have been warned!