Role Reversal ~ Part 2
Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron or any of its characters.
Rating/Setting: Rating is T. Setting is DotU in flavor and is AU. You need to have read "Role Reversal" in order to make sense of this twist on the Voltron DotU universe. ;-)
Proofreaders: I have sent the chapters to the Eternally KA group (please message Mylari if you are interested in learning more about the group) but the errors are still mine.
Summary: Sequel to Role Reversal. What if Keith were the prince and Allura was the pilot? Please read Role Reversal before reading this one.
Author's Note: So, this story is the continuation of "Role Reversal" which was a challenge from the former KAEX group member, Cheetoy. In this case, Keith is the Prince and Allura is the Alliance pilot. It's hard to believe that it's been almost 7 years since I finished it. I've reread it several times since and it's one of my favorite stories. I decided that it was finally time to brush the dust off the sequel that I started writing when it finished. I scrapped the chapter and a half that I had written and began again. I hope that you enjoy learning the rest of the story.
If you have PM enable, I do reply back to reviews! :) Also, Forever Wells made an interesting comment in her last review that I might just explore as the story isn't quite finished yet. Thanks to all who are reading and an extra thanks to those who review!
** Goodness! I'm getting behind in my writing! I'm only on chapter 9! I haven't gotten much done in the last month but I should be okay for three more weeks and hopefully I'll get back on the writing bandwagon this week! Happy New Year to everyone!
Chapter Five
Two days later…
Romelle, Sven, and Dova stood together in the main chamber contemplating what they had just heard while the Resistance member who reported was walking away. Sven was watching his retreating back when he said, "A special fight to end the night in the arena featuring a new combatant…. It has to be Keith."
Romelle nodded. "It is rare that Doom has a highlight fight other than what is always known to be the last one."
"I don't understand; why would they want to kill him when we know Merla wants him for her own? Everything I've heard around Haggar's lab and the guard room on that level match up with that." Dova was frowning as she tried to piece together things that didn't make sense.
"They don't expect him to die," Sven said as he turned his gaze back on the two women. "Keith has magic. I only saw a small bit of it before I was injured and he was new at it. I'm sure his abilities have grown. We already know that he wears cuffs so that he can't use magic in Haggar's lab. Maybe they plan to let him use his magic?"
Romelle was staring intently at Sven. "Keith came to Pollux to gain knowledge about his magic. He needed to learn to control it. They took a very big chance coming to Pollux. What would have caused them to do that? Just to learn about his magic?"
"King Alfor's ghost appeared to Coran and Keith. The magic is hereditary but what if the King didn't have the knowledge they needed for Keith's magic?" Sven was looking from Romelle to Dova.
"What if Keith's magic is more than they expected?" Dova queried, looking at no one. Then then her gaze shifted to Sven, "What if it's more than the prince can handle?"
"It's why Merla wants him so badly," Romelle whispered. "What if they can turn his magic dark like Haggar?"
Sven's voice turned angry, "Put him in the arena and attack him. Let his anger go free." Sven shook his head and closed his eyes, "He goes into the arena tonight. We are not ready yet to escape. We cannot try to free him until we have a ship and a plan."
"Romelle has hidden here for months with the others," Dova responded.
"But I am not Keith. I do not hold magic at my command nor the knowledge of Voltron." Romelle looked at Sven. "They have already spent more time looking for you than they ever did for me. You have something they want."
"Or at least they suspect I do," Sven replied with a nod. "I will spend more time in the areas around the hanger bays and see if I can gain access to a Drule console-"
"No, let me do that," Dova broke in. "Seeing a humanoid at a Drule console, even disguised, is a great risk. It is better that I take it."
Romelle nodded in agreement. "I will take charge of the listening around the lab. When Keith is fighting in the arena tonight will be a good time to go to the hangers. I think a number of workers go to the fights and so you might be noticed less."
"I'll go to the arena and see what options are there. This might not be the only time he fights. We need to scope out areas where they might transport him," Sven said.
Dova turned to Sven, "Then you should also go to the passages that lead to Merla's quarters in the castle."
The reasoning behind this was not something that they wanted to talk about.
Sven nodded and they all left for their assignments.
.**********.
Later in the day…
Keith finished off his food and drink. It wasn't water and it had an odd taste. It could just be an unusual Drule beverage but he doubted it. He swirled the remainder of the drink around in the cup and then let it calm. The light played on the surface of it giving him a reflection of himself… beard and dirty face. He looked up from the cup to stare at Haggar's back. "What's in this drink? Something to make me docile? Something to make me amenable to your suggestions?"
Haggar stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Prince Keith. "I never doubted you would know there was something in your food." She took a few steps toward the cell and stopped. "Yes. There is an herb in your drink. It can also be put in food and injected if necessary. So don't think that by not drinking you will avoid it. But it isn't what you were thinking. It has no unusual effects when taken."
Keith stared at her, his brain mulling over what she had said. "Then it must have an effect if it is not taken."
The dark cowled headed inclined. "Very unpleasant effects. You should not try to escape because we would find you easily."
Keith frowned. Was it truth? Was it a lie? How long until the effects hit? He didn't think they would do something that would kill him. They wanted him. But perhaps it would cause him to have vision or motor problems? That he could easily see. His thoughts were interrupted as Haggar began a new thread of conversation.
"I will have something else for you to drink shortly. The potion will cause you to fall asleep. We need to transport you."
"You don't need me asleep to do that."
Haggar stepped closer, her yellow eyes glowing inside her hood. "Tonight, you will fight in the arena."
Keith went cold and he knew that he must have paled. Everyone in the Denubian and surrounding areas knew of the arena.
A small laugh escaped Haggar's lips. "You are right, we don't need to sedate you to get you there. However, you will be allowed to fight in the arena without your cuffs. Yes, Prince of Arus, you will be allowed to use your magic. Just know that I will have set up wards and spells to keep your magic from leaving the arena floor."
Keith sat up straighter at the mention of using his magic. They wanted him to use it. They wanted him to be angry. They want me to lose control in the arena. But he couldn't help feeling some hope. He could control it. He would. And the drug wouldn't stop him from trying to escape. Tonight, he'd try.
.**********.
Back at the Castle of Lions…
Allura stood on the castle balcony that overlooked the lake and Black Lion. She heard the steps coming up behind and knew them to be Lance's.
"Coran just heard back from Garrison. The temporary pilot will be on a military transport out tomorrow."
Allura nodded.
"Have you had a chance to read over Kara's recommendation?"
Allura continued to stare at the Lion. "He's coming back. I hope they both are."
She heard Lance's steps move closer and then he moved into her vision on the right. He stared at the Lion and then turned and leaned against the balustrade and crossed his arms. His gaze on hers. She pulled her eyes away from the Lion and threw her head back and ran her fingers through her hair. "I know. I'm second in command and I should be on top of things." Dropping her arms to her sides she turned a much more focused gaze upon her commanding officer. "I'm done moping."
He reached out a hand and laid it on her shoulder. "We don't expect you to be unaffected. None of us are. But none of us are partially bonded to the love of their life. And having him in the hands of Haggar…." He dropped his hand and closed his eyes. "I'm his commanding officer."
This time Allura moved to hug him. "Don't do to yourself what Keith did when Sven was injured. Doom is skilled at underhanded tactics. There was nothing any of us could have done."
Lance's arms encircled her. "When Kara gets here, we'll train with her. She should be bringing us the plans that Garrison has for Keith and Sven's recovery." Garrison had not wanted to entrust the plans to the airways and possible interception so they were sending them with Kara Timmons. "We will follow the plans and hope that Garrison understands the urgency of this and that we'll be moving out in a week, two at the most."
Allura pulled back and looked him in the eyes. "What if they don't move that fast."
His gaze was steady. "Then we find a way to get Keith, Sven, and Romelle out on our own."
"Do you think Sven and Romelle are still alive?"
"I have to believe it. They are both fighters."
"All three of them are." Allura allowed her gaze to go back to Black Lion. And in her heart, she held tight to the glow she felt when she thought of Keith.
.**********.
Still later in the afternoon…
Keith eyed the dark liquid in the cup and then looked up to Haggar. "A sleeping potion."
"That is all," she replied. Her hands were on her staff and she did not look tense or worried. Beside her stood two guards with anti-grav stretcher.
It all looked as she said. He could toss the liquid back at her but she could just stun him instead. "Why this, Haggar? Why not just stun me?"
Haggar laughed. "You have no cause to believe me and only reasons to question. However, in this I am truthful and I'll tell you why, Prince of Arus. We have already told you that you are to fight in the arena tonight with the ability to use your magic. This draught will allow me to remove the cuffs safely and because of its magical properties, I can bring you out of the sleep immediately with no side effects."
"And is the reason for this need the removing of the cuffs or the immediate waking?"
"Both," she laughed again. "But for you the importance will be the waking. I will bring you out of your slumber as your platform raises you into the arena. The gladiators will already be there and you don't want to be groggy. So, when you wake, you should go into fight or flight mode."
Keith nodded and drank the liquid. He immediately laid down and he was glad he did as he went out like the proverbial light.
.**********.
Haggar looked at the sleeping prince as the guards opened his cell and pulled him out by his legs. "Take him to the gladiator preparation chambers. Silov will be waiting for him there."
The guards mumbled their understanding and left the lab as quickly as they could. Haggar's lab wasn't a place that prisoners or guards wanted to visit. As the guards left, Haggar glimpsed the Prince of Doom through the doors. When he didn't enter, she went to investigate. Prince Lotor alone with an unconscious Arusian Prince was not something that went well with her plans. However, she didn't have far to go as Lotor was just down the hall. He had obviously anticipated her response to seeing him.
Lotor crossed his arms and looked her in the eyes. "I heard what you said to the guards. Is he really going to be in the final battle of the night?"
Haggar grinned, "He IS the final battle."
Frowning, Lotor said, "He's quite good with a lazon sword but I'm surprised you're willing to jeopardize whatever plan you and Merla are cooking up."
"Who says I'm jeopardizing anything? He will have his sword and his magic and I think that he will be quite safe."
Lotor's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You're letting him have access to his magic in the arena?"
Haggar cackled. "Don't worry. You'll be quite safe. I will put a magical barrier up in front of the royal seats."
Lotor's arms dropped to his sides as he turned to go down the hallway in the direction the guards had gone. Haggar followed. "I'm not worried. I'm just surprised."
"You seemed to be surprised a lot this afternoon," Haggar said with a glance toward him.
"Perhaps you will be as well. It could be that Keith's magic isn't much more than that of a village shaman." Lotor stopped. "You don't have to follow me. I'm not going to interfere. Yet. I'm interested to see just what this prince can do." He gave Haggar a nod and then headed down a corridor away from the gladiators' area.
Haggar watched him with narrowed eyes. She believed him. He wouldn't interfere yet but she had a feeling that after tonight's final fight, she'd have to keep an eye out for the Drule Prince.