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The Pride of Arus
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com
Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
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Chapter 2
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LiAnne yelped as she dragged Zeya by her arm to a shopkeepers stall. They had spent most of the day shopping in one of the nearby mountain villages, buying food and clothes from several of the shops. LiAnne was already carrying a bag full of fruits when they had come upon a small curio shop.
Zeya marveled at how the young girl got so excited over the smallest items that were presented on the table before them.
"Oh Zeya, look at this!"
LiAnne brought over a pair of crystal earrings and held them to her ear.
"These would look so good on you!"
"That is only 40 Erans, milady," the shopkeeper said.
"I'll take them," LiAnne said as she handed over the money. She then wrapped the earrings in cloth and placed them in her bag.
"Why did you buy them?" Zeya asked as they walked away from the shop and headed toward a building that was built against the mountain side.
"Because, I think you should indulge yourself once in a while," LiAnne said. "And these are not for me."
"Not for you?"
LiAnne shook her head. "They're for you."
Zeya looked at her, in confusion, which caused the young girl to laugh.
"Wait till you see the dress I bought you too," she said. "If that wont turn his head, I dont think anything will."
"Turn? head?"
LiAnne took Zeya by her arm as she led her to the tall building. "Come, this place will help you relax," LiAnne stated.
Zeya watched as she led her over to the tall building and she slowly read the sign above it.
"Hot Spring Baths?"
LiAnne nodded. "You seriously have to try this," she said. "Once you've had a bath here, you'd be sure to try and make it back as often as you can."
Zeya let out a sigh as the young girl led her into the building.
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Kaden slowly approached the entrance of the small village, watching as the people passed him as if he belonged there. He breathed in deeply, savoring the cool air against his skin, in awe of the feel of the moisture around him. Having been on a ship for all that he could remember, landing on Arus was a welcoming surprise. Never had he felt the warm sun upon his skin.
He walked through the bustling town, eyeing the patrons and shopkeepers as they went on about their daily business. He pulled up the collar of the shirt he wore, as he felt the air around him get colder. As he continued to walk, laughter caught his attention. He turned toward a large building as two females exited, one was nearly dragging the other as they headed toward him.
"That was wonderful," the brunnette haired girl exclaimed as they walked down the path that led away from the building.
Kaden spied them as they passed, taking note of the woman walking with her. She was not Arusian, but Drule, and her long white hair was combed back, evidence of the two coming from a bath or swim. As they passed him, he turned away and from the corner of his eye, he watched as they continued down the path.
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Zeya's smile slowly disappeared when she felt the cold presence. She continued to walk with LiAnne as she told her how wonderful the bath had been. She looked ahead of her wondering why she felt so cold at that moment. She then slowly turned her head, to look in the direction they had come from, to notice the dark figure who stood alone in the path, as the village
citizens walked around him. His face was hidden under the thick mass of hair, and the high collar of his shirt, however she swore that she could see his eyes staring back at her. Eyes that seemed to read her every thought.
Zeya quickly turned to LiAnne to have her turn around to see the man, but as soon as she did, he was no longer there.
"What is it?" LiAnne asked.
"I thought I saw something," she said. "Someone."
"Who?"
Zeya could only shake her head. "I dont know," she said. "But, I've never felt so cold before."
LiAnne smiled. "Its just that we had such a nice hot bath!" she exclaimed. "Come, lets get back to the Castle and show Kit what we got today. Ooh, that would make her so mad."
Zeya slowly nodded as she turned to follow LiAnne down the path. She wondered what that feeling she felt was, and why the dark stranger made her feel, vulnerable.
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Gorin shook his head as he supervised the training of the Arusian army. Hunk stood at his side as he smiled.
"I can't believe how much work we still have to do," he commented. "Your training regime is going well, however. Im surprised at how fast your troops have picked up on our techniques."
"Have you been able to get in touch with the rest of your rebel force?" Hunk asked.
Gorin slowly nodded. "A group has already started their plans and have already sent a party to land on Arus, to find a spot they could make camp," he said. "They want to try to avoid the Castle as long as they can, until they can get the rest of their support together. Princess Allura has granted them access, provided that each group gives the correct security code when they do land."
"About how many men are we speaking of?"
"Maybe a few hundred or so, from the main command ship," Gorin said as he turned to the young man. "A few thousand if we are speaking about the rest of the fleet."
"That many?" Hunk asked.
Gorin nodded. "When you've seen as much death and destruction as I have, you start looking for reasons as to why we were doing it in the first place," he said. "We are tired, and its time for a change."
Hunk nodded. "Have you spoken to your daughter recently?"
"I will leave her fate to your justice system," Gorin said. "She refuses to speak to me."
Hunk looked at him. "Hope for the best, Gorin," he said. "Maybe she will understand why you are doing what you are doing, and come around."
"I've lost two daughters and my wife because of Rolsin's unending need for destruction," Gorin said as he faced him. "Im not going to lose her as well."
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Haggar turned as the door to her laboratory slid open and smiled to herself as Rolsin and his brothers entered. She grabbed her cane and approached them.
"What brings you here today, milord?" she asked.
"You wanted to test your new prodigy, so I have come to offer you that chance," he said. "Do you think he is ready?"
Haggar slowly nodded. "What will this test be?"
"A group of rebels from this command ship have fled to Arus, setting up camp about 3000 kilometers from the Castle Of Lions," he said. "Probably on the notion that my old general would be able to lead a revolt against the rest of the fleet."
Haggar slowly nodded. "And you want to see them taken cared of?"
"If you think this will be a good test for him, then I will set up a diversionary attack to keep the Voltron Force busy," he said. "If your prodigy is able to take out this group, then I'll be sure to reward you for his work. Where is he now?"
"How many rebels?"
Rolsin turned to the door to see the young boy standing there, golden eyes staring at him. Dark black hair framed the youth's face, giving him a sinister yet cold look.
"A few hundred," Rolsin stated. "None of them women or children."
The boy smirked as he walked into the laboratory. "As if that would matter?" he asked.
Rolsin watched as the boy walked past them and into a smaller room at the side of the laboratory. How could he be so cold?
Haggar turned to him and nodded. "When do you want to commence?"
"The day after tomorrow," Rolsin said as he handed her a document. "You will find the information to locate the camp in this. I trust that this will not be a problem for him?"
"Oh, on the contrary, milord," she said. "The on who will be causing a problem will be Kaden."
Rolsin nodded as he turned to his brothers. As the three left the laboratory, Haggar made her way to the small room, which served as a small home to Kaden. Under her care, she made sure that he was provided with the materials he needed, to keep him entertained.
"Where did you go?"
The boy turned to her as he removed the headband he wore and placed it on the nearby table.
"Arus," he said simply.
"You know that you're not to go there unless ordered or instructed."
"I was bored."
"Did anyone see you?"
He shook his head. "The people didn't even care."
She then watched as he dressed in one of the Triasian soldier's outfit, attaching the armoring device to his right arm.
"And where do you think you are going?"
"Scouting," he said. "This camp maybe well defended. I must be prepared for that."
Haggar nodded as she handed him the document that Rolsin had given her. "The location of the camp is in a very secluded region, guarded by thick forests. The only way in is either by ship or a long trek through the thick forest."
Kaden only smiled to himself. "Oh, there are other ways," he said.
"Kaden, if you do happen to see any of the Voltron Force members within the camp, you must not harm them," she said. "They can't know you exist, not yet."
"I promise to behave," he said as he walked past her. He then turned to her for a moment. "I will however, kill them if they interfere while the attack commences."
Haggar slowly nodded. "You must refrain from killing their Captain," she said. "If you harm him, I will see to your punishment."
"He will remain untouched," he said. "I can't say the same for the rest of his team."
"Report to me when you have landed," Haggar said. "I will inform Rolsin and your grandfather that you have gone down to Arus, and will await our signal."
He nodded and she watched as he slowly left the laboratory. She then turned to the far end of the lab, and walked over to the are where she developed her newly created robeasts monsters. She smiled as she collected three of them from her collection to have them delivered to the Triasian army. She knew that Kaden wouldn't wait till the attack commenced if he found a way through any defense in place. She only allowed him to go, since it was something that would entertain him. She found it somewhat amusing, that the boy would be entertained by the thrill of a fight, when offered. His father's son, he was, but on a level much more cunning and evil than he could have ever been.
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Anala smiled as she was greeted by Allura as she disembarked from the ship. Allura hugged the young woman, slowly pulling away, knowing that the smile she wore only served to hide the pain she was probably feeling.
"Where is Lotor?" Allura asked.
"He remained behind on Vallis to work with Lemille and Sendrre," Anala said. "They will be here the day after tomorrow with news on what they have discovered."
Allura escorted Anala toward the Castle, taking the girl's hand in her own, squeezing it tight. "We've received some news about Reece," she said, a little hesitant.
Anala turned to her as they walked. "What did the reports say?"
"That he is under the careful watch of Witch Hagger," Allura said. "Gorin, was able to get some details, but he says that security around her laboratory has been tight. It only confirms our suspicions that King Zarkon is probably fully cooperating with Lord Rolsin and his brothers."
Anala slowly nodded. "King Zarkon will not harm him," she said. "If anything he may feel a little vindicated because Lotor and Zeya have turned against him."
"Anala, with Gorin's help, we can work to get Reece back, it may take some time, but we will do what we can."
Anala nodded as she covered Allura's hand with her free one. "I know and I trust that you will," she said. "Come, I have some preliminary reports from Lemille and Sendrre's findings. We may have found something that can help us in any attack that they may do against your planet."
Allura nodded as they entered the Castle.
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Kaden sat quietly in a tree that overlooked the encampment below him. He watched as the former Triasian soldiers worked together to build some buildings, to serve, as their base. He knew that from here, they would be able to work with the Voltro Force, providing them with information that would help them defeat any attacking force. The sun was already setting over the trees, casting a strange orange glow. No, he told himself, he would wait till the morning. They barely had any defense, save for a few men who patrolled the perimeter and a few soldiers who were sent into the forest. They would be the elite force, stronger and faster than the normal soldiers he would fight on the command ship. He was more than willing to wait until such time it would afford him a successful attack. He leaned back on the trunk of the tree as he continued watching them as dusk began to settle. Yes, he wouldn't mind waiting.
tbc
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