Hell Hath No Fury

Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters nor any of its alternate universe personas. So sad, I could become fond of a Lotor with green eyes…

Part 5 of the Chivalry story arc: 1. Chivalry; 2. Lion House Restored (& 2A. LHR – Allura's POV); 3. Doomed Quest; 4. Alternate Choices; and 5. Hell Hath No Fury. While some of the stories can be read as stand alone, this one must be read AFTER Alternate Choices for it to make sense.

Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU in flavor.

Chapter Fifteen

~ Nearing Noon on Day Five in the Mirror-verse

Allura Alt prodded Keith out of the shuttle with a neatly manicured fingertip. The blood red nail was positioned in the center of his back and pressed into his shirt and skin as he remained motionless. The queen clucked at him with her tongue. "Really, Keith? This isn't the time to be petulant." A tingle emanated from his arm band. "I'll drop you to the ground in pain if you wish it. There's a hover sled in the shuttle that Naveena and I can use to transport you to the spot we have chosen." The tingle grew in intensity. "Choose now, and choose wisely."

With only the slightest glances over his shoulder, Keith stepped out. He had been correct. No opportunity had been given to him to contact the Resistance or Allura and now it was almost time. Keith stood by as Naveena carried out an object that looked like an old fashioned jack hammer with a loop on the top. They had these on Arus. Surprisingly, it was used to stake out livestock or animals around small family farms. The device had a special driving gear that anchored the device to the ground so securely that full-grown steers couldn't uproot it. The loop at the top provided a spot to tether the animal. But this time, there was no animal… just him.

Naveena looked back at the shuttle and then at the landscape. About thirty yards from the shuttle, she felt it was the right spot and anchored the device. Walking back over to Allura Alt and Keith, she inquired, "Are you ready for me to shackle him, my Leige?"

Keith turned quickly to Allura Alt. Shackle?

Taking him by the arm, they began to walk to the tether, "I'm sorry, Keith, but you had to know this was coming. I can't take a chance on you interfering. But this device should work perfectly."

When they reached the tether, Naveena had him put his hands behind his back. Securing one wrist, she threaded the short chain through the loop and clasped the other shackle on his wrist. "There. You have a ringside seat, Commander." Naveena's tone was cruel.

Allura Alt chuckled at the open animosity between Keith and Naveena. She would look forward to making them work together – it would make for interesting strategy sessions. Running her fingers through her hair as she made quick work of a braid, she said, "Now, now. Let's be civil." Before she could say anything else, they heard an engine and saw a small shuttle approaching. Allura Alt raised a hand to shield her eyes as she watched it land. "Soon, it will be all over."

Keith tilted his head slightly and closed his eyes as the engines from the shuttle kicked up small dust devils and sent dust billowing across the mesa. When he opened his eyes, he saw that Allura had landed the shuttle about seventy-five yards away. Looking at the shuttle door, he waited to see his wife. The figure that exited first was not that of Allura… or of Naveena. It was Lance in his altered appearance they had decided on. He wrinkled his brow. She had been so adamant about Naveena that he had been certain he would have seen the young back-up pilot exit the shuttle. Allura was full of surprises. Then he saw her exit the shuttle and stop beside Lance. Both had their blasters drawn.

Allura looked hungrily across the open expanse. Keith. He was there as agreed upon along with Allura Alt and Naveena. She glanced to Lance who was staring at the dark beauty, but saying nothing. The two of them watched as Allura Alt put her blaster on the ground and drew her lazon sword and walked about twenty yards in their direction. It was not lost on them that Naveen had kept her blaster out and was standing slightly behind Keith.

"Let's go." Allura's voice was firm and unwavering.

The two of them walked about twenty yards when Allura stopped. "Wait here, Lance. I have to do the rest of it on my own."

Without taking his eyes off the other two women he said, "I still think that if she pulls some magic mumbo-jumbo you should let me shoot her with the blaster."

Smiling, Allura said, "If it's magic mumbo-jumbo, she'll just heal from your blaster shot. No. You have to let me do it with the dagger. It's the only thing that will neutralize any spell from Haggar."

"I don't like it, but I know you're right. However, YOU have to be the one to explain it all to Keith if it happens."

Handing her blaster to Lance, she drew her sword and ignited it. Giving Lance a quick glance, she said, "I pray that we all get a chance to argue about this tonight on Arus."

He knew she was right. They had to make it through the battle first.

Allura walked about twenty yards forward putting the two women about fifteen yards apart. Looking past her opponent, she locked eyes with Keith. He was shaking his head 'no' while looking at Allura Alt. Yes, the Altean Queen was up to something.

Allura Alt knew that her alternate was staring at Keith. But she knew that she'd get no useful information from him. She smirked as she sent a pulse to his arm band. Keith didn't make a sound, but she knew he must have provided Allura with some display of pain as the Arusian Queen turned her icy glare upon her.

While Keith hadn't made a sound, he had almost doubled over in pain. Knowing that Allura Alt was doing it purely to antagonize her made her livid. She needed to harness her emotions or she would fall victim to careless and reckless errors. Taking a few steps further, she said, "No interference from Naveena?"

Taking a few steps forward of her own, Allura Alt responded in kind. "No. No interference from... Lance?"

A smirk that Lance would be proud of graced the lips of Allura Altaire Kogane, Queen of Arus. "Why would he interfere? I'm better than him." As she spun the lazon sword around in a circle with one hand, she thought she saw the confident façade of Allura Alt falter for a moment. Taking that moment of indecision as an opening, she struck.

Surprise crossed the face of Allura Alt before she moved her blade to block her opponent. Allura of Arus was a surprising woman with skills to match her own. She should not have doubted that. A mistake on her part. Something that she was not mistaken about was the love the woman had for her husband. And that was what she would use to aid her in the fight.

Circling with the Queen of Arus, Allura Alt said, "Keith has an amazing body doesn't he?" Seeing the Arusian Queen's eyes narrow, she pushed further. "I tended his wounds after Haggar delivered his punishment for his traitorous behavior." Smiling wickedly, "There wasn't an area on his body that wasn't bruised or sore. I quite enjoy-" Allura Alt had to stop her words as Allura swung into action based on her anger at the statements.

Allura was furious. She knew that Allura Alt was goading her, that she was trying to get her to make a bad move. However, her emotions won out. For the moment, it was too much- Hearing her talk about Keith's body… knowing that she touched him… that she was responsible for the battered condition that Keith was in just a few days ago… Then there was the thought that Allura Alt had consummated the bond-mate ritual with Keith. Keith had labored under the guilt from just a kiss with the woman on the last trip. What would this do to him if it were true? No, rational thought wasn't in her mind right now. Vengeance was in her mind and in her heart and it wouldn't be denied.

Twenty minutes later, both women were breathing heavily. Allura Alt had sustained injuries on her non-dominant arm and one leg. They were more than flesh injuries and would take their toll quickly once the adrenalin faded. The Altean Queen had been surprised at the ability of the Arusian woman. She had expected a skill set similar to her own, but her duplicate had a superior ability that spoke of much training and a past history that she did not have. Unless the Arusian made a stupid mistake, there was no way that Allura Alt would win. Allura Alt had quickly determined that goading the Queen of Arus was a bad move as she sustained more injuries than her opponent after her jibes. So, having come to the conclusion that she would not defeat the Arusian Queen based on skill, she knew that she would have to pay a painful price. One that would be fatal, but at the same time victorious.

Keith watched as his wife quickly wore down Allura Alt. He could tell they were talking to each other, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. However, he knew what Allura Alt would use against his wife and there was nothing he could do to counteract the lies that she had to be telling. As the fight continued, he could hear Naveena's anger and irritation in the muttered comments and hisses she made. Allura was barely injured. A few flesh wounds and that was it. Allura Alt was a much different story. She was limping and holding her injured arm. Certainly she knew that she was losing the battle. And with that thought, Keith became almost frantic. If she realized she was losing the battle she might just do something drastic…

Allura glanced away from Allura Alt for a moment. Keith had begun moving in what little way he could. Obviously, he felt something was getting ready to happen. From the corner of her eye, Allura caught the lightning fast lunge of the Altean. Bringing her sword up with two hands she blocked the stabbing motion as Allura Alt stepped past her. Both spun around and Allura thrust her sword into the abdomen of the Altean Queen. It was odd, looking into your own eyes as you realize that you have received a mortal wound. Allura pulled her blade out and deactivated it as Allura Alt sank to her knees.

"Watch and see, Commander." Naveena's voice was cold and close by. She had moved to stand directly behind him once Allura had stabbed the Queen.

Keith was going to try to signal in some way, but the Queen still had enough in her to send a pulse that caused him to lean forward in pain. He was unable to do anything. Lifting his eyes, he saw Allura Alt fall over on the ground.

Allura leaned over and checked for a pulse. Finding none, she carefully removed the magical dagger from her boot. Holding it by the blade in her hand, she began walking toward Keith and Naveena. She knew that Lance was moving up and covering her. However, while her eyes were forward, all other senses were behind her. She heard the small movement before Lance could even call out a warning. Spinning in a fluid motion, she threw the bejeweled blade which struck Allura Alt in the chest.

The Altean Queen looked with confusion at the handle of the blade that was embedded in her chest. The blade in her own hand fell from lifeless fingers as she knelt on her knees. This was no ordinary blade. During the battle, she had never felt pain like this. Immediately, she knew the blade had to be removed, but when she reached for it she couldn't pull it out. I'm dying? How could this happen? Her eyes conveyed her thoughts to Allura who had walked back toward her.

"Haggar has done similar things in my universe. Knowing you would cheat, I came prepared." Allura looked from the dying woman to where Keith was standing. Naveena was still standing behind him watching the scene unfold. It was almost a look of pity she gave Allura Alt as she said, "I told you I'd fight for him. You should have never come to my universe, Allura."

Allura Alt coughed out some blood as she lay back on the hardened tan dirt. "No, Allura, you shouldn't have come to mine…" Turning her head, she looked at Keith and closed her eyes.