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A Change in the Winds
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com

Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
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Chapter 3
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----- Planet Ebb ------

Allura breathed in deeply as she walked out onto the balcony of the small palace they were staying in. The meetings had taken place most of the day, and she was happy to have finally some time to breathe. As much as she knew the meetings would benefit the Galaxy Alliance, she found herself to be half bored through many of them. And it didn't help that two ambassadors decided to start an ongoing argument on how to distribute medical supplies and herbs from one planet to another.

She walked up to the edge of the balcony, and looked over. The palace was built into the side of a cliff that overlooked a canyon with a rather large river that flowed below it. The sound of the rushing water below helped her to keep her mind off the meetings from that day, and just enjoy the beauty that Ebb had to offer.

She breathed in deeply again as she closed her eyes. Just one more day. She thought to herself. Then she would be back on Arus, dealing with her own problems.

She opened her eyes again as she looked up toward the night sky. The stars were shining bright above in a cloudless sky. She took a step back as she tried to pick out any familiar formations among them.

She then gasped when something fell from above her and landed just before her. Her eyes widened when she saw that it was Keith, but before she could say anything, he grabbed her by her arm and pulled her across the balcony to the side of the open door, pulling her into his embrace as he folded his wings around them both, leaning close up against the sidewall.

"Keith-" Allura started to say, but he quickly silenced her as he placed a finger to her lips.

Allura then followed his gaze to the open doorway, peering through the opening between the feathers as Ambassador Remlis of Planet Orois walked out onto the balcony. Allura then held in her breath as he pulled her closer against him, as they watch the Ambassador look around.

"Commander Hayashi?" she called out.

The Ambassador then let out a grunt as she turned to head back into the palace. Allura let out her breath after a moment, and the arms that held her close suddenly released her. The feathered wings that surrounded her unfolded from around her and she was able to step away.

"What was that all about?" she asked as she stared at him.

"Is she gone?" he whispered.

Allura looked toward the doorway and peered into the hallway that ran along the side of the palace. She nodded.

"I think she's still close by," she stated as he stepped out from behind the open door and looked into the palace.

"She's been following me around since dinner," he stated as he looked into the hallway then walked away from the door. "I've been trying to lose her."

Allura smiled as she crossed her arms. "So, why the sudden interest?"

"She wants to know why as a terran, I would posses the attributes of a Valusian," he stated. "And has questioned me about every aspect of my family to try and figure it out."

Allura smiled. "So why not just tell her?"

"I did," he stated as he turned to her, then caused his wings to disappear. "But she wont take my answers as official unless I produce a genealogy chart or something."

Allura could only look at him as he did that. It still amazed her to see how casual he acted with his unique gift.

"And don't get me started on the questions she had about you," he added.

"Me?" she asked. "What questions about me?"

"Like why you aren't married yet," he stated. "Bringing up that fact that your mother and father were married long before their coronations."

Allura let out a grunt as she crossed her arms again. "And what business is it of hers?" she asked. "Remind me again, why she is here?"

"Orois contributes 70 of the medical herbs to cure Nisera Syndrome," Keith stated as he walked passed her toward the edge of the balcony. "And unfortunately, Remlis is the one that holds a tight hold over its distribution."

Allura could only shake her head. "And the herbs can only grow in the nitrogen abundant oceans there."

Keith nodded. "Which is why we are here, to try and release her hold over the distribution so that other planets can have access to it," he said. "Im just hoping she isn't trying to hold back on us and demand answers from us, before agreeing to any provisions the other ambassadors are drawing up."

Keith went toward the stone railing at the edge of the balcony and looked over. Allura joined him there as she leaned against it.

"So, what was that call from Vallis concerning?" Allura asked.

"You guys were so busy, I didn't want to bother you," he stated. "But, Anala gave birth to a boy this morning."

Allura's expression brightened. "Oh my!" she stated. "Did everything go well?"

He nodded. "Healthy and active," he stated. "Which reminds me that I must ask for a couple of days of leave in about two weeks."

Allura nodded. "Going to Vallis?"

He nodded. "I have to be there for his, well, what they consider a baptismal."

"A similar reception?" Allura asked recognizing the word.

He nodded as he turned to her. "Something of the sort. I don't really know what it is, but Anala thought it best that I be there."

"Of course!" Allura exclaimed. "I wouldn't want you to miss that. Just put in your request to Coran when we return."

He nodded. "I just wonder how she's gonna handle the pressure."

Allura's smile disappeared for a moment, but then she looked at him. "Anala chose to have this child on her own," Allura stated. "And she has the support of your mother and Xue behind her."

Keith slowly nodded as he turned to look out over the balcony, and then stared up at the stars above.

"Something is bothering you," Allura stated as she came to stand near him. "What is it?"

He turned to her, taking her hand into his own. "Listen, I know that its been a little, weird considering what has happened over the last year and a half," he started. "I just want to let you know that I appreciate all that you have done, and had the faith in believing in me."

Allura could only nod as she met his gaze. "Keith, you know that all we did was to support you," she stated. "It was an honor to help you and your family, especially for all that you and they've been through."

She then released his hand and took him into a hug. "If anything, Keith, it is I who owe you much more than in thanks for all that you have done," she stated. "For me, for all of Arus. You and the others have brought hope to my people. Arus is beginning to prosper and it's all because five adventurous pilots, ventured to an unknown planet, hoping they could bring back something that was legend itself-

"I grew up not having the friends, the closeness of my parents," she said as she released her hug on him but held him close. "And I know in that all of you, my people will never have to experience the atrocities that war can bring."

He nodded. "I know," he said. "Arus has become a home to all of us. We will always be there for you and your people. I'll always be there."

"That is a bold promise," she said. "Hunk, Lance, Pidge - they are still bound to Galaxy Garison and the Alliance. You, you're pretty much free to go where you want; where you're wanted."

"I know where I belong," he stated. "I know where I want to be."

"And where is that?"

"Among my friends, my family," he said as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "Those I care about."

She breathed in deeply as she met his gaze once more, suddenly aware of her heart beating hard in her own chest. "I'm sure those you care about, return the same."

"Oh?" he asked as he leaned his head toward hers. "And how would you know?"

She suddenly found it hard to breathe. "Because I know," she whispered.

She could feel her heart racing, holding her breath as she felt his breath, upon her lips. An odd feeling started to form in her stomach, and she wondered just how much longer her legs could keep her standing.

"Commander Hayashi!" a sudden voice broke the silence and Allura let out the breath she was holding, almost in relief, but more in disappointment. "There you are."

She quickly released her hold on him as she stepped away and met the gaze of Amabassardor Remlis.

"Good evening, Ambassador," Allura stated as she took a couple of steps away from Keith.

The Ambassador's expression went through several changes as her gaze darted from the princess, then to the young commander.

"Am I interrupting anything?" she managed to ask as she came to stand before them.

Allura smiled to herself. "No, Ambassador," Allura stated. "Actually, the commander and I were trying to identify the different stars in the sky."

The Amabassador looked at her with a questioning look then looked at the commander before returning to Allura again.

"I see," she stated. "Actually, its good that the both of you are here, I have some questions to ask the both of you."

"Uh, yes Ambassador," Allura stated. "Its been a long day, since Arus is a long trip from here. The commander and I need to turn in to be ready for tomorrow's meetings."

"But I will only take a moment of your time, princess," Remlis stated.

"I must decline at this time, ambassador," Allura stated. "But if we have some free time between the meetings tomorrow, I'll be...that is, Im sure the commander and I will be more than happy to answer your questions."

The Ambassador looked a little miffed that this upstart young woman would decline to meet with her. "So be it," she stated. "Commander, we must finish what we started earlier today."

"If it pleases you, Ambassador, may I ask that you contact my mother on Vallis, if you wish to know more about my family," Keith requested. "As it is, Im still learning myself. And if she doesn't give you more than I have offered, please do not continue to pry into my personal life."

Remlis breathed in deeply. "I see," she said again. "Well then, I will see the both of you at the meetings tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Ambassador," Allura stated.

"Goodnight "

Keith and Allura watched as the deglected Ambassador huff then turn around and went back into the palace. Allura let out a sigh of relief and smiled to herself. "If she gives me anymore of that type of attitude, I swear.."

"Ally-" Keith started to say.

Allura met his gaze. "Good going on throwing her off your back," she said.

"Only to have her jump on yours," he said. "Sorry."

"That's all right, I have something in mind, so that I will probably will not have time to 'answer her questions'," she stated. "I'll speak with Ambassador Lores about finding something to keep her busy."

Keith smiled. "Now, that's the Allura I will definitely not want to cross."

Allura smiled, but then she stepped toward him. "Now, what were we talking about, when we were rudely interrupted?"

"Something we should talk about after we get back to Arus," he stated as he turned to her.

"You know, we have all night," she stated as she took his hand into her own again. "I know we have a lot to talk about."

"You realize that we have an early meeting in the morning," he stated.

"Hunk and Pidge will be there," she said. "They can cover for us and let us know what we missed."

"God, this feels like Im back in the academy."

Allura smiled. "Good, you can tell me all about that as well," she said. "I need more---"

Keith then looked at her when she suddenly fell silent. "Ally?"

Allura's expression blanked as she met his gaze. Then she breathed in deeply before letting out a near deafening scream, as she released Keith's hand and fell to her knees, holding out her right arm.

"Ally? What is it?"

Tears came to her eyes as she pulled on the sleeve of her uniform as she felt a burning sensation around her right wrist. A red mark started to from around her wrist and the pain just intensified. She breathed in deeply as another sharp pain coursed through her.

"Ally, what's happening?"

When Keith tried to touch her, a sudden shock was sent through him. Then, Allura let out another scream before falling back. Keith caught her in time, seeing that she had fallen unconscious. As he looked down at her, he noticed a metal band was now encircled around her right wrist. When he tried to touch it, another shock was sent through him. He looked at it closely to see what it was, and noticed the raised etching decorated on the band. He clearly recognized it as the royal symbol of Altaire. He quickly felt for her pulse before lifting her into his arms, then walking back into the palace to get her to the medical wards.

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----- Planet Doom ------

Zeya turned to her bedroom door and smiled as Lotor stood there.

"So how is she?"

"Doing fine."

"Will she bring the child to Doom?"

"I already discussed that with her," he said. "She said, in due time."

She turned to him. "Father must see the child," she stated. "You must make her bring him to us."

"I will have her bring him to Doom when she feels its time," Lotor stated, sounding irritated. He walked over to one of the many seats in her room and sat down. "I don't need you to remind me of my duties."

Zeya breathed in deeply as she walked toward him. "If I do not see the child before he starts to show his true heritage, I cannot prevent the rest of her people; her family from knowing the truth."

"I understand," he stated.

"She is willing to sacrifice the truth, to keep him away from Doom?"

"She will do anything to protect him," he stated. "Even if it means keeping him away from me."

Zeya crossed her arms. "Lotor, I know this hard on you; the both of you," she stated. "If anything, please have me see her so that I can do what I need to do to protect the three of you."

"She will not have more than one of us on Vallis at one time," he stated. "You will have to go alone."

"I understand," she said. "Please arrange a time that I can."

"What has been going on in my absence?"

Zeya let out a sign. "The Triasians are making their move, in the direction of this system," she stated. "We've already detected scout ships on the outskirts of the nearby quadrants. Three were intercepted by some of our own scouts."

"Where?"

"Several places," she stated. "We lost one however, in the vicinity of Planet Ebb."

"Oh?" Lotor asked. "Isn't there a meeting happening there at this moment?"

Zeya nodded. "I think they are trying to infiltrate their way into the system as quietly as possible."

"Do we have any clue as to what they look like?"

"Beyond being humanoid?" Zeya asked. "No. We have no intel on what they look like, but their ship designs are very distinguishable."

Lotor nodded. "We must discuss this with father," he stated. "Im sure the Drule council will want to have this information as well."

"I really think we should study them as much as we can," Zeya stated. "This new threat, may be interested in everything in this system."

"And we must be prepared to handle them, should they decide to attack the Drule Supremacy."

"And what of the Alliance?"

"In this, we may be acquiring a new ally in this," he stated. "But until they are a threat, our current situation with the Alliance shall remain what it is."

Zeya nodded. "I will keep in contact with my spies," she stated. "You, don't let your guard down either."

"Let me know if they dare to near Vallis," he said as he stood.

"That is on one of my priorities," she stated. "If we happen to capture one of their scouts, what would you like to do?"

"Find out what there are and their weaknesses," he said. "Maybe figure out their technology."

Zeya nodded. "I will let my forces know of this as well," she said. "I will - "

Zeya then breathed in deeply. Lotor turned to her seeing that her eyes had widened.

"Zeya?"

Zeya then held her hands to her head as a sudden pain filled her head. She shook her head as she closed her eyes, falling to her knees.

"Child of Arus, you are the next destiny" the voice echoed in her head.

When she opened her eyes again, as the voices she heard continued to chant, she let out a scream as a sharp pain coursed through her right arm. She held out her arm in front of her as a burning sensation surrounded her wrist.

"What is happening?" Lotor asked as he kneeled before her.

Zeya could only shake her head as she closed her eyes again. Suddenly, visions filled her entire being; images that seemed like memories..

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Princess Karone stood beside Queen Marlena as they both stared up at the Lion Statue. Princess Orla soon joined them before the cave that the Lion stood guard before.

"We must hurry," Orla stated breathlessly. "They're coming."

"Are you sure its here, Marlena?" Karone asked as she held up the torch she was carrying.

Marlena could only nod. "Alfor hid it here," she said. "We have to get to it before they do."

Marlena stared up at the statue before them and pressed on its outstretched paw. Just at the entrance of the cave, the ground gave way, revealing a set of stairs. Marlena breathed in deeply as she grasped ahold of her own torch.

"This way."

Marlena was first to go down the set of stairs, and was quickly followed by Orla and then Karone. As soon as the three were down the flight of stairs, at the bottom, Marlena pressed on a loose stone and the stairs were quickly hidden again, by a sheet of rock as it slid back into place.

"Are you sure its this way?"

Marlena nodded as they hurried down the winding stone caverns, that went deep into the mountain side.

"I asked Alfor to keep it here, knowing that we would need it soon," Marlena stated. "I was still researching it."

"Where did it come from?" Karone asked as she followed close behind.

"I do not know," Marlena asked. "But we have learned so much from it. I personally took on the responsibility of taking care of it."

"If Zarkon ever knew of this..."

Marlena nodded. "Come on, its up ahead."

Karone and Orla followed close as the narrow cavern slowly opened up to a huge underground cave. Marlena then waved her hand and suddenly the dark cave lit up with bright lights.

Orla gasped as she slowly dropped the torch she was holding.

"Marlena, this .. "

Marlena could only nod as she stared up at the gigantic structure before them. "We owe much of what we have to what we learned from this machine," Marlena stated. "I've devoted my life to seeing that its protected from our enemies."

Karone moved out from behind Orla and was caught by surprise as she stared at the giant machine before them. Then a sudden loud roar filled the entire cave they were in.

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Zeya breathed in deeply as she clutched her right arm. Suddenly, a silver metal band formed around her right wrist as she resisted the pain coursing through her.

"Zeya?"

"Lotor," she managed to say as she gasped for air. "I saw it."

"Saw what?" Lotor asked.

Zeya let out a scream and then fell back, as Lotor caught her. "Zeya, what did you see?'

"A white lion," she stated before falling unconscious. Lotor looked her over, seeing that she was still breathing, but her pulse raced.

He then looked down at her arm and saw that metal band was now encircled around her right wrist. Lifting up her arm, he noticed the intricate design there. Two jewels endorned the center of the band.

"What is this?"