Chapter 20: Discussion with who we Thought was the Enemy(Lance's POV)
Lance folds his arms. They had taken this Galran(the one who had spoken to them from a ship after Allura had saved them from getting destroyed by Naxzela collapsing in on itself) to a cell in the Castle, and now they were integrating him. Well him and Marinette. The others, specifically Allura, hadn't wanted to be among the people who interrogate Lotor, claimling, '"He looks too Altean."
He doesn't know what she meant by that, but at least Pidge, Hunk and Coran along with the Space Mice are keeping her company.
His thoughts are interrupted by, "What is that floating thing you have with you Black Paladin."
Mari replies, "It's my kwami, but that's not important. What's important is that you tell us why you're here."
Lance smiles, even though Mari sure has evolved from being unsure of herself to being the Leader of Voltron. Then realising what he just thought he turns his attention back to Lotor, the smile dropping from his face.
"Straight to the point I see. My name is Lotor, traitor to the Galra.."
"Why would you betray the Galra?" After his experience with Nyma and Rolo, he's reluctant to trust anyone so willingly.
The newly named Lotor sighs, "Because they ousted me out as one. I used to be the Prince, the one in charge….Until my blasted father recovered from his injury. That and I want peace between Voltro…."
"Hold on. Zarkon is alive?" Marinette questions.
Lotor nods. But before he can speak Marinette says, " And you're the heir and now considered a traitor to the Empire. So you must be the person that the Galra was firing on at the base. I did think it was odd for the Galra to attack their own base."
"It isn't. Anyone who Zarkon considers a traitor is attacked or worse."
Lance sighs, "It is a typical thing villains do, so I guess we shouldn't have been so surprised."
"But this is real life, everyone makes bad choices….."
"I am going to cut you off right there, Black Paladin. While yes it's true every being is supposed to make good and bad choices, some beings are not like that. Zarkon for instance, he is pure evil, same with his witch."
He echoes, "His witch?" Could this witch character be the same thing Allura and Shiro fought at different points in time? Possibly.
"We're getting off track," replies Lotor irritably. "I came here because I have nowhere else to turn to. My Generals have betrayed me, and my people think I"m a traitor. I just want what's better for them, but Zarkon obviously refuses to change."
"And if we believe that? What can you offer us in exchange? Besides I'm not willing to trust you just yet."
"Lance! He turned himself in, let himself be captured. I bet he would have escaped our hold on him, since he is a Galra and they do have incredible strength."
"I'm also half Altean."
"What?!" Lance and Marinette both shout.
How can Lotor be half Altean? Allura said she and Coran were the only ones left. It doesn't make sense. But Lotor does have white hair like Allura and no other Galran he's ever encountered has ever had hair like Lotor's. Ever.
"Yes, and it's another reason why fath…Zarkon hates me."
Lotor almost called Zarkon father. Though that's not really surprising since Lotor is the Prince to the freakin Galra Empire. Now that he thinks about why mention he's half Altean. Probably to get us to trust him more. Which is sketchy.
"Ok, ok. I think I've gotten over the shock of that. Now Lotor is there anything you can give us in exchange for, uh, harbouring you safely. That's right that you want Voltron's protection, is it not?" Marinette asks.
"I can give you information. I was the heir, I know almost all the secret bases of the Galra, where you can attack, what their weak points are. Besides, Black and Red Paladin I want this war to end just as much as you do. I want my kingdom to be better, to not be remembered as villains for the rest of time."
"They will still be remembered as Villains when this war is recounted." Lance says bluntly.
"Yes but I don't want them to be Villains for the rest of my kingdom's existence. I want them to become better so that way future civilizations know that the Galra are not just villains."
"We'll think about it. Come on Lance, Tikki."
Lance exits the cell chamber with Marinette. Leaning against a wall in the hallway he asks, "Do you really think we can trust this half-Altean. No offence but he doesn't exactly seem trustworthy."
"I agree. But he's offering us a good deal. He will give us information if we just protect him. That's not something that could be offered again if we turn this offer down. What do you think Tikki?"
"I think," Tikki begins, "until his information proves trustworthy, keep him locked up. It's the only smart and logical way I can think of to proceed."
Lance tightens his grip on his arm and bites his cheek. Tikki is right, but his gut feeling is telling him not to trust this Lotor guy.
"I can tell you're uncomfortable with me and Tikki putting this much trust in Lotor, Lance. But I don't fully trust him either."
"Then why…"
"Take his offer so willingly. It will help us end this war so much faster if Lotor is telling the truth. If he isn't then he doesn't have our protection anymore. And we will keep him locked up until the others, you and I trust him. Besides, if his info is true, I admit I can't resist the temptation that we might finally be able to go home to our families again much sooner than I initially thought."
Lance nods, but guilt swamps his head. He hadn't even thought about seeing his family again. Seeing his Mom and Pop-pop(grandfather) again, or his brothers and sisters. And he had been homesick for a really long time, but…
He feels a hand on his shoulder, "Hey, we're going to be okay. We're going to make it home and see our families."
At that moment, Lance realised that he had been crying and still is(well he does miss his family, even if it wasn't at the forefront of his emotions for a while). Marinette then hugs him, which makes him blink in shock.
Pulling back, Marinette says, "And I have my right hand man by my side, as well as some amazing teammates."
She then walks away, looks back and winks.
Lance feels his face redden as he realises what she said. '"My right hand man,"'
Meanwhile:
Marinette's POV
Marinette buries her hands into her face. My right hand man? Really? My right hand man? That's what you said. It was meant to comfort him, not come out as being flirty with him. Really, that was such a Chat Noir move!
Stopping, she prys her hands away from her face and inhales. It's fine, it's fine, it's fine. Focus on telling the others how the interrogation went.
She then continues to walk trying to brush off her worry about her and Lance's conversation. Though at least she helped him not to cry anymore. That was a good thing. That's what friends do….
The door in front of her opens, and she can see the lounge area, with her teammates and Coran chilling. Here goes.