########################################################################
Enemy My Friend
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
########################################################################
----------------
Chapter 2
----------------
-----Doom -----
The young prince of Doom stared intently as his father met with the dark stranger. He leaned heavily against the pillar he was near as the two men spoke to each other in a strange language he could not understand. What angered him the most, was that his father was more than willing to meet with the strange man who stood before his father, and not include him on the details of the meeting.
"Its not nice to stare, Lotor."
The prince turned abruptly, nearly unsheathing his sword as a young woman emerged from the shadows and stood near him.
Zeya. Hagar's little protege, who had arrived on Doom almost 2 months prior. Lotor had known her when she was young, a kinship developed between them, that surprised even the old king. Knowing Lotor's own anger over the death of his mother, Zarkon wasn't sure of how he would take to Zeya when she was born. Though they had different mothers, Zarkon was their father, and when he had Lotor sent on his way to fulfill his destiny, he sent Zeya to study with the Drule scientists on far away planets. Remarkably, the similarities between brother and sister did not wane over the years. She smiled as he met her gaze and she too turned to see Zarkon speaking with the strange man.
"Damn you, Zeya, I could have just killed you now."
She ignored his retort, as her own attention turned to the two men. "Who is that man?" she asked.
"Someone that father knows," he stated. "I thought you were on a mission for Hagar,"
"I was," she stated. "But the town I was visiting on Vallis became....busy."
"Busy?" Lotor asked.
"Someone caused quite a scene in one of the towns I was visiting," she said. "And strangely enough, the man was dressed similar to this one that father is speaking to. And speaking the same language."
"What?" Lotor asked.
"On Vallis," she said as she looked up to him. "He was asking to be taken to see the Queen, there."
"Strange," Lotor stated. "I guess we'll just have to see what father is up at a later time. Till then, did you get the information I wanted?"
She smiled. "Of course," she stated. "All that you wanted."
"Good," he said. "Until father is free, let's discuss what you have found."
-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/-----/-- ---------/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/---- -/------
-----Vallis -----
"Are you sure you can handle the trip?" Anala asked as she handed Keith the last of his belongings.
"It's only a 7 hour flight," he stated. "And I have that book you wanted me to give to Allura to look over."
"The one in Arusian?" she asked. "You don't even know..."
Keith looked to her.
"You know Arusian?" she asked.
"I've been studying it since we first landed on Arus," he said. "It was the only thing that kept me busy enough in between the battles we had with Doom's forces."
"Does Allura know you studied it?"
"I don't think so," he said. "I never really told anyone that I was learning the language."
Anala smiled as she watched him close the tote on his bed and laid a small jacket over it.
"Do you have time for that talk?" she asked.
"The one I was supposed to have with you 2 days ago?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Yes, my transport wont be here for another 2 hours," he said with a smile. "We have time."
She smiled as she offered her hand to him. "Come, I want to show you something."
-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/-----/-- ---------/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/---- -/------
Keith looked up at the large mural before him, marveling at the large painting.
"This is Ylren," Anala stated as she stared up at the painting. "He is the god of our people; once a Vallusian; he was gifted with powers that many envied. He decided that his destiny was far more than using it for himself. He served our people well, using what he had to help those that needed his help."
"So this is who Kelar wanted to be?" Keith asked.
"No, Kelar wanted his power," Anala stated. "But what Kelar didn't know, was that no one would obtain his power."
Keith turned to her. "What do you mean?"
Anala took a deep breath as she looked to the painting again.
"I spoke with Allura about what had happened on Lysia," she stated. "Since many of the facts of that evening, still remains a mystery."
"What did she have to say?"
"She basically remembered everything that we saw," Anala stated, "But she also remembered something else. What do you remember?"
"Not much," Keith stated. "As Kelar tried to strangle the life out of me, I grew dizzy; couldn't breathe."
"Did you feel anything? Anything strange?"
"I remember Allura running toward, and Kelar hit her away," he said. "Then I felt this enormous rage; and a sudden cooling."
"Cooling?" she asked.
"That's the best I can describe it," he said. "I felt like I was in a freezer."
Anala slowly nodded. "Allura said that before Kelar disappeared, and the blinding light knocked us all unconscious, she saw Ylren standing in your place," she stated. "Which is why I wanted you to see this painting of him. Does he look familiar to you?"
Keith looked up at the mural again. "In a way, he does," he said. "Though, its more like, I...dreamt of him."
"Allura had come to the conclusion, that you really do not posses all of his powers, as we were led to believe by our own legends," she said. "That what you are is a vessel; a medium through which Ylren can speak with us; engage with us."
"Oh?" Keith asked. "And did you present this notion to the elders?"
She nodded. "And they thought that it was unfounded," she said. "But I did ask that if you did achieve the last rite of Ylren, why do you not display any of the powers he was reported to have possessed?"
"And their answer?"
"They had none," she said. "So I basically told them to give it some thought."
"And what if Allura's conclusion is true?" he asked. "If I am a medium, what will that mean for your people?"
"That they will continue living how they are now," she said. "I will not let the Elders or anyone use you as a prophet to speak to our god; and if the Elders are going to fight me on it, I will fight on your behalf until they see it that keeping you here, will rob you of your only freedom."
Keith smiled as he listened to her. "You know I can fight my own battles," he said. "But I do thank you for the offer."
She smiled. "Ylren has chosen you for a reason, and that reason is only known to him," she stated. "He hasn't chosen to reveal that to us now, and we may never know why. Until such time, you do not belong to Vallis; and we have no right to keep you where you don't want to be."
He took her into a hug. "I know that by my birthright, I should be at your side," he said. "But I will never feel fully at home here."
"I know," she said as she leaned her head against his chest. "Your home is on Arus, where they need you the most."
"I will visit in 3 months time," he said as he pushed her away and held her by her arms. "That way, if anything should happen, I'll be able to consult with you and the Elders on what to do."
Anala nodded. "In the mean time, rest when you can, and don't do anything that I wouldn't do."
"And you know I will be breaking that last promise real quickly," he said with a laugh.
"Yes, I know."
-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/-----/-- ---------/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/---- -/------
-----Arus -----
Allura breathed in deeply as one of the castle maids went over the last minute details for the Voltron Force Beta Team to be knighted as soldiers under the laws of Arus. Once made Lion Knights, they could fully operate the Voltron Lions without question. Coran was adamant that they follow Arusian tradition to the fullest, though the knight ceremony was supposed to be done by the ruling king of Arus, she had to change tradition a little, this time around, to do the knighting. A duty she had done only once before.
Her attention was then drawn to a small red box that sat on her bureau, tied with a white satin ribbon. A gift she had meant to give, but it's recipient had been away for so long.
"Princess?"
The maid's raised voice snapped her out of her trance. "Coran wants to know if you want the High Bishop of Artal to officiate the ceremony?"
"I believe Bishop Erishia has performed the ceremony before, and I wouldn't want to deprive him of the chance again," Allura stated.
"I'll pass along that suggestion to Coran," she stated. "I think that covers everything we need for the ceremony, princess."
Allura smiled. "Well, then, if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Lyna, since you've worked so hard on this, why don't you finish up the last minute details and take the rest of the day off?"
"Princess, I'm more than honored to help you with the ceremonial details," the girl said. "And I thank you for the offer."
"My pleasure," Allura stated.
"Araila says that dinner will be promptly served at 7 tonight," Lyna stated as she gathered together her paperwork. "Without Nanny, she's been forced to handle the meal preparations."
"Tell her that we thank her for her efforts, and that I'll be sure to get everyone to dinner on time."
"That'll be splendid, princess," Lyna stated. "Good-day, princess."
"Good day, Lyna," Allura said.
She smiled as the young girl exited her bedroom and the door slid closed behind her. She then fell back onto her bed, closing her eyes as she went over the events of the last few days, then found herself focusing on the events of the last few months. It all had seemed like a roller coaster, and she was glad that Galaxy Garrison sent the back-up team when they did. She had never been more grateful.
The 5 new cadets were as eager as they could be, even under the harsh training, Lance and Hunk were running them through. She smiled knowing that it must have been nothing but a thrill for them as members of a legendary force. To be chosen to serve as pilots of Voltron would have probably made many jealous.
Commander Neive, an Arusian native who had trained at a nearby Galaxy alliance Academy. He grew up in the far away town of Tanuier in the Kingdom of Helena, her Aunt Orla's kingdom, where the old Arusian customs were still apart of their daily lives. One of the very few people on her planet that still read and speaks Arusian. He came highly recommended by Graham for his astute knowledge of combat skills.
Commander LiAnne Brendt, and Earther that Allura had found to be much like a sister to her. She was actually to serve as a backup member of the Vehicle Force, when Graham pulled her to serve under their team. Graham's glowing remarks over her abilities of flying, interested Allura very much; she had bested even Lance's own scores.
Commander Teri Liehn, a Polluxian who came at the suggestion of Romelle. His own intellect could rival that of Pidge. Technical skills aside, he was an asset and the balance the team needed.
Sergeant Shane McNichol, a freshly graduated teen from the Galaxy Alliance Academy on Pelas IV, this was his first assignment. What piqued Allura's interest in the young man was his knowledge of 58 languages.
Commander Katherine Leonheart, their leader. She was the first female pilot to take the command of Voltron. Allura hadn't been able to get to know her as much as the rest of team yet, but she saw a confidence and authority in the young woman that surprised even her. She only hoped that as the team's commander, she could hold her own against a legend.
Allura opened her eyes as she turned onto her side. She spied the small box sitting on her bureau. She then stood and walked over to her dresser and picked it up.
"Well, I guess it would be best if I left it for you."
She headed toward her door and as it slid open, she was caught by surprise by the familiar figure that stood there. Her eyes widened as she stared at the young man who stood before her.
"Keith!?"
He smiled seeing her look of surprise. "I was just about to ring..."
Before he could finish, she threw her arms around him and hugged him as tight as she could. It caught him off guard, but he slowly accepted the embrace.
"It's good to see you too, Ally."
Enemy My Friend
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
########################################################################
----------------
Chapter 2
----------------
-----Doom -----
The young prince of Doom stared intently as his father met with the dark stranger. He leaned heavily against the pillar he was near as the two men spoke to each other in a strange language he could not understand. What angered him the most, was that his father was more than willing to meet with the strange man who stood before his father, and not include him on the details of the meeting.
"Its not nice to stare, Lotor."
The prince turned abruptly, nearly unsheathing his sword as a young woman emerged from the shadows and stood near him.
Zeya. Hagar's little protege, who had arrived on Doom almost 2 months prior. Lotor had known her when she was young, a kinship developed between them, that surprised even the old king. Knowing Lotor's own anger over the death of his mother, Zarkon wasn't sure of how he would take to Zeya when she was born. Though they had different mothers, Zarkon was their father, and when he had Lotor sent on his way to fulfill his destiny, he sent Zeya to study with the Drule scientists on far away planets. Remarkably, the similarities between brother and sister did not wane over the years. She smiled as he met her gaze and she too turned to see Zarkon speaking with the strange man.
"Damn you, Zeya, I could have just killed you now."
She ignored his retort, as her own attention turned to the two men. "Who is that man?" she asked.
"Someone that father knows," he stated. "I thought you were on a mission for Hagar,"
"I was," she stated. "But the town I was visiting on Vallis became....busy."
"Busy?" Lotor asked.
"Someone caused quite a scene in one of the towns I was visiting," she said. "And strangely enough, the man was dressed similar to this one that father is speaking to. And speaking the same language."
"What?" Lotor asked.
"On Vallis," she said as she looked up to him. "He was asking to be taken to see the Queen, there."
"Strange," Lotor stated. "I guess we'll just have to see what father is up at a later time. Till then, did you get the information I wanted?"
She smiled. "Of course," she stated. "All that you wanted."
"Good," he said. "Until father is free, let's discuss what you have found."
-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/-----/-- ---------/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/---- -/------
-----Vallis -----
"Are you sure you can handle the trip?" Anala asked as she handed Keith the last of his belongings.
"It's only a 7 hour flight," he stated. "And I have that book you wanted me to give to Allura to look over."
"The one in Arusian?" she asked. "You don't even know..."
Keith looked to her.
"You know Arusian?" she asked.
"I've been studying it since we first landed on Arus," he said. "It was the only thing that kept me busy enough in between the battles we had with Doom's forces."
"Does Allura know you studied it?"
"I don't think so," he said. "I never really told anyone that I was learning the language."
Anala smiled as she watched him close the tote on his bed and laid a small jacket over it.
"Do you have time for that talk?" she asked.
"The one I was supposed to have with you 2 days ago?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Yes, my transport wont be here for another 2 hours," he said with a smile. "We have time."
She smiled as she offered her hand to him. "Come, I want to show you something."
-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/-----/-- ---------/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/---- -/------
Keith looked up at the large mural before him, marveling at the large painting.
"This is Ylren," Anala stated as she stared up at the painting. "He is the god of our people; once a Vallusian; he was gifted with powers that many envied. He decided that his destiny was far more than using it for himself. He served our people well, using what he had to help those that needed his help."
"So this is who Kelar wanted to be?" Keith asked.
"No, Kelar wanted his power," Anala stated. "But what Kelar didn't know, was that no one would obtain his power."
Keith turned to her. "What do you mean?"
Anala took a deep breath as she looked to the painting again.
"I spoke with Allura about what had happened on Lysia," she stated. "Since many of the facts of that evening, still remains a mystery."
"What did she have to say?"
"She basically remembered everything that we saw," Anala stated, "But she also remembered something else. What do you remember?"
"Not much," Keith stated. "As Kelar tried to strangle the life out of me, I grew dizzy; couldn't breathe."
"Did you feel anything? Anything strange?"
"I remember Allura running toward, and Kelar hit her away," he said. "Then I felt this enormous rage; and a sudden cooling."
"Cooling?" she asked.
"That's the best I can describe it," he said. "I felt like I was in a freezer."
Anala slowly nodded. "Allura said that before Kelar disappeared, and the blinding light knocked us all unconscious, she saw Ylren standing in your place," she stated. "Which is why I wanted you to see this painting of him. Does he look familiar to you?"
Keith looked up at the mural again. "In a way, he does," he said. "Though, its more like, I...dreamt of him."
"Allura had come to the conclusion, that you really do not posses all of his powers, as we were led to believe by our own legends," she said. "That what you are is a vessel; a medium through which Ylren can speak with us; engage with us."
"Oh?" Keith asked. "And did you present this notion to the elders?"
She nodded. "And they thought that it was unfounded," she said. "But I did ask that if you did achieve the last rite of Ylren, why do you not display any of the powers he was reported to have possessed?"
"And their answer?"
"They had none," she said. "So I basically told them to give it some thought."
"And what if Allura's conclusion is true?" he asked. "If I am a medium, what will that mean for your people?"
"That they will continue living how they are now," she said. "I will not let the Elders or anyone use you as a prophet to speak to our god; and if the Elders are going to fight me on it, I will fight on your behalf until they see it that keeping you here, will rob you of your only freedom."
Keith smiled as he listened to her. "You know I can fight my own battles," he said. "But I do thank you for the offer."
She smiled. "Ylren has chosen you for a reason, and that reason is only known to him," she stated. "He hasn't chosen to reveal that to us now, and we may never know why. Until such time, you do not belong to Vallis; and we have no right to keep you where you don't want to be."
He took her into a hug. "I know that by my birthright, I should be at your side," he said. "But I will never feel fully at home here."
"I know," she said as she leaned her head against his chest. "Your home is on Arus, where they need you the most."
"I will visit in 3 months time," he said as he pushed her away and held her by her arms. "That way, if anything should happen, I'll be able to consult with you and the Elders on what to do."
Anala nodded. "In the mean time, rest when you can, and don't do anything that I wouldn't do."
"And you know I will be breaking that last promise real quickly," he said with a laugh.
"Yes, I know."
-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/-----/-- ---------/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/-----/------/------/-----/-----/---- -/------
-----Arus -----
Allura breathed in deeply as one of the castle maids went over the last minute details for the Voltron Force Beta Team to be knighted as soldiers under the laws of Arus. Once made Lion Knights, they could fully operate the Voltron Lions without question. Coran was adamant that they follow Arusian tradition to the fullest, though the knight ceremony was supposed to be done by the ruling king of Arus, she had to change tradition a little, this time around, to do the knighting. A duty she had done only once before.
Her attention was then drawn to a small red box that sat on her bureau, tied with a white satin ribbon. A gift she had meant to give, but it's recipient had been away for so long.
"Princess?"
The maid's raised voice snapped her out of her trance. "Coran wants to know if you want the High Bishop of Artal to officiate the ceremony?"
"I believe Bishop Erishia has performed the ceremony before, and I wouldn't want to deprive him of the chance again," Allura stated.
"I'll pass along that suggestion to Coran," she stated. "I think that covers everything we need for the ceremony, princess."
Allura smiled. "Well, then, if you will excuse me, I have other matters to attend to. Lyna, since you've worked so hard on this, why don't you finish up the last minute details and take the rest of the day off?"
"Princess, I'm more than honored to help you with the ceremonial details," the girl said. "And I thank you for the offer."
"My pleasure," Allura stated.
"Araila says that dinner will be promptly served at 7 tonight," Lyna stated as she gathered together her paperwork. "Without Nanny, she's been forced to handle the meal preparations."
"Tell her that we thank her for her efforts, and that I'll be sure to get everyone to dinner on time."
"That'll be splendid, princess," Lyna stated. "Good-day, princess."
"Good day, Lyna," Allura said.
She smiled as the young girl exited her bedroom and the door slid closed behind her. She then fell back onto her bed, closing her eyes as she went over the events of the last few days, then found herself focusing on the events of the last few months. It all had seemed like a roller coaster, and she was glad that Galaxy Garrison sent the back-up team when they did. She had never been more grateful.
The 5 new cadets were as eager as they could be, even under the harsh training, Lance and Hunk were running them through. She smiled knowing that it must have been nothing but a thrill for them as members of a legendary force. To be chosen to serve as pilots of Voltron would have probably made many jealous.
Commander Neive, an Arusian native who had trained at a nearby Galaxy alliance Academy. He grew up in the far away town of Tanuier in the Kingdom of Helena, her Aunt Orla's kingdom, where the old Arusian customs were still apart of their daily lives. One of the very few people on her planet that still read and speaks Arusian. He came highly recommended by Graham for his astute knowledge of combat skills.
Commander LiAnne Brendt, and Earther that Allura had found to be much like a sister to her. She was actually to serve as a backup member of the Vehicle Force, when Graham pulled her to serve under their team. Graham's glowing remarks over her abilities of flying, interested Allura very much; she had bested even Lance's own scores.
Commander Teri Liehn, a Polluxian who came at the suggestion of Romelle. His own intellect could rival that of Pidge. Technical skills aside, he was an asset and the balance the team needed.
Sergeant Shane McNichol, a freshly graduated teen from the Galaxy Alliance Academy on Pelas IV, this was his first assignment. What piqued Allura's interest in the young man was his knowledge of 58 languages.
Commander Katherine Leonheart, their leader. She was the first female pilot to take the command of Voltron. Allura hadn't been able to get to know her as much as the rest of team yet, but she saw a confidence and authority in the young woman that surprised even her. She only hoped that as the team's commander, she could hold her own against a legend.
Allura opened her eyes as she turned onto her side. She spied the small box sitting on her bureau. She then stood and walked over to her dresser and picked it up.
"Well, I guess it would be best if I left it for you."
She headed toward her door and as it slid open, she was caught by surprise by the familiar figure that stood there. Her eyes widened as she stared at the young man who stood before her.
"Keith!?"
He smiled seeing her look of surprise. "I was just about to ring..."
Before he could finish, she threw her arms around him and hugged him as tight as she could. It caught him off guard, but he slowly accepted the embrace.
"It's good to see you too, Ally."