A/N: The next part of the story... I realize this chapter is a bit shorter but it's mostly setting up things for the next chapter. Enjoy and please review, review, review! :)

Requests and Alliances

Vilandra rolled over in the bed and squinted her eyes to look at the time. After blinking a few times, her eyes darted around her surroundings and suddenly remembered where she was and what happened last night. She stretched her arm out slowly as she rolled over and was relived to find the spot next to her empty. She sat up and buried her face in her hands as her mind begun to run rapidly.

What have I done? My brother hates me and I betrayed Rath; what was I thinking? I can't believe I slept with Kivar. What am I going to do?

Her breathing quickened as she began to rock back and forth and anxiety began to take her over. Vilandra couldn't stop the swarm of guilt ridden thoughts that plagued her mind as free objects in the room hovered in the air and began to swirl around her. She placed her hands underneath her chin as her rocking grew faster, causing the objects speed to increase as well.

"Princess Vilandra," a woman called from outside the door. "Is everything alright in there?"

"Yes," with a fling of her arm, everything returned to its rightful place. "I'm fine," she said unconvincingly.

"Kivar said I am to make sure you have everything you need," the woman still spoke through the door.

"What I need is to be left alone or is that such a strange request," she stood up from the bed and flung the door open. "Am I understood?"

"Yes Your Majesty," the young woman bowed. "I am sorry to have disturbed you."

Vilandra gave an almost apologetic nod and then closed the door behind her. It was not that young girl she was truly upset with, it was herself. She quickly picked up the mini-communication device that was sitting n the nightstand and slipped it on her wrist, concentrating with her mind until a connection was made.

"It's me," she spoke immediately. "I need your help."

Zan and Felino walked down the cement stairs to the holding chambers below. It was uncommon for a king to visit criminals but Zan felt desperate time called for desperate measures.

"Your Majesty," the guard at the front bowed. "May I be of service to you?"

"No but perhaps you would like to take a break," it was much more a command than a suggestion. "Felino will watch your post."

"Yes Your Majesty," the large man bowed again before ascending the stairs.

"No one is to come down those stairs," Zan looked to Felino.

The Captain nodded. "It's understood My Liege."

Zan approached the destined cell quickly and stared at the man a moment before speaking. "Hello Zsar."

"This is quite a surprise," the man rose from his cot and approached the bared door. "How can I help you Your Majesty?"

Zan ignored his mocking tone. "You can tell me everything I need to know about this rebellion Kivar is leading."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Zsar gave a smirk. "I guess the province tours didn't go as hoped." He looked around. "News travels fast, even in here."

"Then you know he attacked Ava," he stepped back. "I thought you'd be concerned about her welfare but I must've been mistaken."

"Ava," Zsar's face paled more than usual. "They attacked Avalena?"

"Yes Kivar did," Zan answered.

The Skin shook his head. "He wouldn't…"

"Why?" Zan asked. "Because he's your friend and you care about her?" His voice turned gruff. "Do you care about her or have you known this whole time he planned on killing her?"

"I would never hurt Avalena," he replied sternly. "I'd do anything to protect her."

"Then he planned it behind your back since you're in here," Zan's tone calmed slightly. "Everyone in the ship they attacked is gone now."

"No," Zsar shook his head in disbelief. "Everyone's dead."

Zan stood quiet for a moment as he let the other man believe Ava was dead. "She luckily got off the ship in time but…"

"She's alive," his eyes grew wide.

"Yes but Ema is dead and I assure you they will keep trying until she, they, or all of us are dead." Zan continued, "Ava wants you to take the deal I'm offering."

"Which is?" he questioned, "Life in a cell instead of an execution? I can't protect her if I'm in here."

"I know," he replied. "If you give me everything you know about Kivar and the people involved, their plans, and anything else that will help me save Ava and this planet, I'll let you go."

"You'll let me walk out of here free and clear?" his grey eyes stared questioningly at The King. "And how do I know that after I told you something, if I happened to find something out, that you wouldn't go back on your word."

"Sometimes you have to trust someone you normally wouldn't to accomplish the same goal," Zan replied. "Ava needs your help and without mine you will be executed in five days. Think about it." Zan stepped away from the cell and turned towards the hallway.

Kivar had a thoughtful look on his face as he thought about this strange request and watched Zan disappear down the hall just as fast as he'd appeared.

Ava walked up to the door and knocked on it softly. After she heard a woman's voice from behind the closed door call for her to come in, she entered swiftly and then closed the door behind her.

"Rath," her eyes scanned the empty room in front of her. "Vilandra."

"Hello Your Majesty," Courtney came from the kitchen wearing a robe.

"Courtney," she was taken back. "Where are Rath and Vilandra?"

"Rath got a call," she shrugged. "He said he'd be back in a little while."

Ava took in Courtney's outfit. "And what exactly are you doing here?"

"Aren't you the protective sister?" she said fliply. "I could go put on some clothes if that'd make you more comfortable."

"Funny," Ava rolled her eyes. "Just answer the question Courtney; what are you doing here?"

"Yes Your Majesty," she curtsied. "I didn't want to stay on Lantis so I came back with Rath, that's it."

"Really?" she looked her up and down.

"Yes really," Courtney answered. "Nothing happened."

"And Vilandra?" she questioned.

"She chose to stay with my brother on Lantis," Courtney replied, then continued after Ava gave her a suspicious look. "What? I told her she should come with us but she said no."

"I'm sure," Ava said fliply. "As if Vilandra would take any advice from you but maybe you knew that would make her stay."

"And do you really want her to come back?" Courtney raised her brows. "I mean, didn't she just help people try to kill you?"

"I believe your brother is using her," Ava said.

"Hmm," Courtney rolled her eyes. "I suppose you think I'm using Rath too."

"I think you really do care about him but you also care about Kivar and that worries me," Ava answered honestly. "I think you want to help them both but you can't; you have to choose a side Courtney."

"I think I've proven I'm on Rath's side," the female Skin replied. "But I don't want to see my brother dead either."

"And I understand that but in the end it will be us or them and I wonder where you'll be then," Ava shrugged. "People are dying Courtney and I don't think it will end unless Kivar dies."

"What are you really saying to me?" Courtney asked slowly.

"You're a smart girl Courtney; I think you already know what I'm saying," Ava answered. "Tell my brother I stopped by." Ava opened the door and met the waiting guards.

Courtney watched them walk down the hallway before she closed the door, her mind racing with the thought of having to betray Rath or Kivar's life. But I have to be someone's enemy and someone's ally. And she knew that alliance would seal the fate of someone that she loved.

Rath walked up the path slowly to his childhood home. He remembered walking up this path exactly a week ago to see his mother and although everything was pretty much in the same spot, nothing looked the same. Nothing felt the same.

"General Rath; General Rath." He was jolted out of his thoughts as a young boy ran up to him accompanied by his sister. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?" Rath asked.

"That King Zan is stepping down so you can be king," the young boy answered.

"It was on every channel on the hologram screen earlier," the younger girl looked up at The General with wide eyes. "Our parents and the lady next door were talking about it."

"You've got a lot of support," the boy said with a smile.

"King Zan is not stepping down," Rath spoke firmly.

"But it was on the screen," she looked up at him with confused eyes.

"General," Vipan called from the distance.

"I'm sorry kids but I've got to go," he smiled. "Don't believe everything they say on the screen, okay." He watched them nod before he turned towards the shapeshifter and began walking towards him.

"Goodbye King Rath," the kids said teasingly before running down the hill.

"I see you've heard," Vipan shook the General's hand as a hello.

"People are actually saying The King is stepping down?" Rath raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," Vipan replied. "There's a group of people, mostly Skins backing you."

"Skins?" he was a bit surprised.

"Yes but there a quite a few Antarians backing you too," the man answered.

"Why?" his brows furrowed.

"It started with Courtney's speech at the rally," Vipan paused briefly. "After Kivar spoke of someone who could unite this planet, Courtney basically nominated you."

"She what?" he shook his head. "She couldn't have been serious; it must've been just to throw Kivar's plans off."

"I think she was serious. She said that since you were both Skinarian and Antarian that you could unite us the races and lead us into a prosperous future," he replied. "From what I've heard, it was a very powerful speech; one that has caused a movement in your name. They're calling themselves Rath's Renegades."

"This group formed overnight?" he crossed his arms over his chest a bit proudly. He had to admit it was flattering to his ego.

"Are you considering it?" Vipan looked him directly in the eye.

"No," he shook his head. "Zan is not stepping down and I am not considering anything."

Vipan shrugged. "Maybe you should."

"What?" Rath peered at the other man.

"Maybe you should," Vipan repeated. "This could be what we need to keep Kivar out of power. If Zan stepped down…"

"Zan would never step down," Rath defended. "This planet; this kingdom means too much to him."

"He would if you asked him, Vipan countered. "You wouldn't have to take his power away from him completely; you could make him your Second-In-Command and run all your decisions by him."

"You're crazy," he laughed slightly.

"King Zan's decisions have started to worry some people. Locking down the plane and closing off the capital has made people fear they may have to live as prisoners," Vipan continued. "And with Princess Vilandra in Kivar's corner; it's splitting the Antarians."

"Zan has being doing this to keep this planet safe," Rath defended his best friend once again. "We all supported him in these decisions and now you want to turn on him?"

"Some of these decisions have backfired General," he retorted. "You've got the best chance with both of the major races and we Navitarians have always been supporters of The Royals and you are a royal."

"I am a soldier," he said stiffly.

"Who became a member of The Royal Four, or three?" He shrugged. "After things calm and the people as a whole regain faith in His Majesty Zan, you can step down and return The Crown to him."

"You are asking me to betray my best friend; the man I swore allegiance and my life to." He shook his head. "I won't."

"I know how close your friendship is," Vipan said. "You're more than friends, like…"

"Brothers," Rath finished for him. "Zan is like my brother."

"I know," Vipan replied. "That's why I know if you request this from him, tell him that it's the right thing to do he will." Vipan gave a small smile. "Trust me."

"Right now the only people I trust are Zan and my sister," he replied sternly. "And I will never betray them." He stepped passed the smaller man and walked into his mother's hose, shutting the man and his strange requests out.

Vilandra walked down the stairs slowly as she let her conversation with Larek sink in. He'd told her he went to see Zan on her behalf and that her brother had all but thrown him out. She didn't blame Zan though. She knew how much this must be hurting him because it was hurting her.

As she came to the foyer, she could hear the voices of Nikolas and a woman coming from the dining area. She crept silently, wondering what she'd hear if she kept quiet.

"So she's one hundred percent on our side," the woman said questionably.

"Yes Vanessa," he replied. "She has to be; she has no where else to go." He gave a dark chuckle.

"Do you think that's why she's here or do you think she's really in love with Kivar?" she asked.

"I hope for her sake and his she is," he answered a bit fliply.

"Well that's kind of beautiful," Vanessa shrugged with a smile. "To have such a great love that you'd betray your whole family, your race just to be with him."

"Mom told you too many stories when you were a kid," he laughed.

"We can't all be cynics like you," Vanessa said. "You think she's crazy?"

"More like stupid my dear sister," he replied. "With everything he's done to take Antar from her family and she stands beside him."

"Would you rather she not?" Vanessa asked. "Your loyalties are to Kivar and our people, aren't they Nikolas?"

That's a stupid question Vanessa," he looked like he suddenly had a bad taste in his mouth. "Of course my loyalty is to Kivar and my race. I'm quit pleased she's on our side."

"I wonder for how long though," Vanessa said thoughtfully.

"You overestimate our little princess," he laughed. "If she was going to change sides she would have after Kivar brought her to that building in Charis. It was obvious he'd been planning this for some time."

"She can't be that oblivious," she looked to her brother who shrugged. "She must approve of his actions. I think she's aware of everything he's done."

"I really don't think so," he retorted.

"C'mon Nikolas," she crossed her arms over her chest. "You really think she doesn't know?"

"Know what?" Vilandra questioned. "What is it I don't know?"

"Do you lurk often?" Vanessa turned around. "Eavesdropping is not an admirable trait."

"Vanessa," Nikolas said sternly.

"I don't think you should be telling anyone what's admirable," The Princess shot back. "And just to make it clear, I didn't have to eavesdrop; I could hear you while I was coming down the stairs."

"I'm sorry," Vanessa replied as her brother glared at her. "I'll leave you two alone; I'll take care of what we discussed earlier."

"Thank you Vanessa," he smiled. "Tell Mother I said hello."

"I will," she smiled back. "Princess Vilandra," she nodded before leaving the room.

"So what can I do for you Princess?' he asked.

"I'd like you to tell me the truth," she said sternly.

"Is that a request or a demand?" he smirked.

"Don't be coy," Vilandra replied. "Tell me what I want to know."

"Is that what you really want?" he questioned. "And what exactly would that truth do for you Princess? If you can't see what has been staring you in the face, what use would it be for me to tell you?"

"You mean about my father?" she questioned. "Was Zan and Rath right? Did Kivar kill my father?"

"If he did, what good would knowing that do for you?" Nikolas asked and then stepped towards her, and placed his palm on her head. "You have been exiled; your brother, Rath, and your mother have turned their backs on you. They hate you. They'll never trust you again." He paused briefly. "You have no where to go. You're trapped here."

"No," she pulled away from him. "What did you do to me?"

"I only read your thoughts Vilandra," he said. "You already know the answers but I suggest you forget them." He began to walk away from her and then stopped in the doorway. "Forget about everything else; this is your life now."

Vilandra said nothing as she watched his back disappear from the room. That's what he thinks.

"Hey," Zan walked up behind his wife, who was sketching out on the patio. "What are you working on?"

"Nothing really," she placed the chalk down on the edge of the board. "I tried to come out here after my meetings and my visit to Rath to get my mind off of things but it's not working. I miss my sister," she exhaled deeply. "I miss your sister."

Zan looked up at the sky.

"Zan," she turned his face towards her. "You miss Vilandra too."

"It doesn't matter," he replied. "She refused to come back; she's chosen Kivar's side."

"She must be hurting too and I think you should try calling her," she looked up at him.

"She had her chance Ava," he replied sternly.

"If you won't then I will," she continued. "We all took a pledge to stay united and no matter what, we are The Royal Four. We've lost so much already Zan."

"And I won't lose you too," he ran a hand through her hair.

"I wasn't asking your permission," she said firmly.

"I don't care if you were asking or not, the answer is still no," he said looking down at the petite queen. "Please don't fight me on this Avalena. I need your support."

"Okay," she nodded. "I won't call her if you promise me you'll just think about it." She looked up at him with wide eyes. "Please."

He let out an exasperated breath. "I'll think about it but I'm not making any other promises."

"Thank you Zan," she hugged him. "I love you."

He kissed her on top of her head. "I love you too."