Chapter 20

As Keith waited until he and the lion linked, he ran through his scenario again and again. Everyone had wished them luck as they'd reached the lions in their official flight suits. Everyone had high hopes for them. Sighing, he noticed a shadow as the spirit of his lion appeared from the darkness.

"Our link is complete. Although temporary, the limbs and controls are as your own. Everything you need to know about this machine is yours."

" What do you mean temporary?"

" When you return, perform your father's final rights which will pass down the knowledge of your bloodline officially to you as Lord Kogane. The secrets of this lion are only for the protector of the bond between he and I."

"Will my plan work?"

" Are you strong enough?"

" I have to be."

"Then it will work. The connection between us is strongest when you do not doubt. "

"Tell me about the umbra. What are they?"

"I'like show you. Close your eye, young one."

Closing his eyes, Keith saw a beautiful, blue jewel of a planet in the galaxy, teeming with life and lush green forests, light breaking through the forest floors.

"Arus was once known as the jewel of the Denubian Galaxy, unmatched in its beauty. It was a time before your people arrived on this world and ancient Arusians lived in peace." The image portrayed changed and in the vastness of space, massive creatures, some with at least fifteen tentacles and leathery dark, skin fought over a group of planets, shattering the life giving worlds into dust and sucking up the energy from the cores produced. Gleaming eyes sought fertile planets greedily.

" These creatures could not be destroyed as they were pure energy, growing massive every time they consumed more cores."

" Why didn't you five stop them? You're ancient yourselves, aren't you?"

The black lion paused, as if considering the question. Keith felt what he thought was anger from the lion, but he wasn't sure. Why would the lion be angry.

"Being ancient does not mean we never had a beginning. You and I are connected. Darkness is the absence of light and therefore they are also connected. If you understand the meaning of my words, you understand our beginning. Energy cannot be destroyed and neither can we."

Keith paused as he remembered the words of the blue lion, much similar to the Alpha lion's. The sea of events of his life, the rise of the drule and the destruction of the 5 kingdoms kingdoms, how evil had swept into their lands and homes, decimating everything. But hadn't they been the ones holding back the evil. Realising what the black was saying, Keith stiffened in his seat.

"You...you are part of the umbra. All of you, aren't you?"

The lion disappeared as the mecha lit on. With roar the black lion led the way into the night sky now way past midnight as they headed toward the umbra. The moon shone brightly over the land and Keith wondered whether their people would walk on it freely again. The realisation that energy could not being destroyed sent a shiver down Keith' s spine. The biggest question in his mind could only be answered by the genius of their group. Opening a private channel to green lion was the only way to verify his plan.

"Pidge, I have a question. Can energy be destroyed?" Surprised by the question, the green lion pilot stopped his calculations and stared at his boss. He didn't have much to say about him since he knew nothing about the guy, but so far the little he'd seen wasn't bad. That is, if he didn't question why he'd showed up now instead of earlier to save his brother.

" Why do you ask chief?"

'The kid's cautious. If I don't tell him something he won't answer.' Thought Keith. Meeting him straight in the eye, he told him what the black lion had told him about the umbra. He saw the teen pale considerably, looking back at his calculations.

" Cap, then it means this plan is going to fail. Our plan is strategized to beat this umbra on the assumption that it can be beaten down and killed like a living creature. If it's made up of energy, then..."

"So we can't kill it?"

"Uh huh. We have to find a way to dispel the energy in it until its weakened. But we don't have time. I don't think I can figure something out in ten minutes."

"Pidge, you're the smartest person in this group. I don't need a plan that will defeat it in one go. Weakening it is fine for now. We have four more of those things plus a robeast to deal with. Just pitch me something good, not perfect."

Determination filled Pidge's emerald green eyes as he met the commander's. He'd never been trusted with something this big in his military career as everyone considered him a kid with milk up his nose. He didn't know how many times he'd been shut down when he'd talked about upgrading the lions, or building a stronger AI for the royal bunker.

"On it chief!"

"I'm counting on you." Switching to the main channel, he took a deep breath, eyes focused on their target.

"Do not doubt." Remembering those words, he gave his orders as they were only five minutes out.

" Lieutenant..."

"Lance. That title makes me feel way too old and responsible." Rolling his eyes and counting to ten, Keith ignored the attitude.

"Lance, you're with me when we land. Pidge, block any communication signals for all ships. Blind them. Hunk, attack anything that moves that's not Lance and I. Protect the green lion while Pidge works. Take out the dreadnoughts and Lotor's shuttle as well as any small ships.. Allura stay in the back and attack any ships that may try to escape. We don't want anyone hurt in this, so be careful."

"No! I'm going into the fray with the others. And you can't stop me Kogane."

"I never said you weren't. If anything, they'll know that you're in that lion and are a prime target since they'll be monitoring our communications during the battle. You're bait, baby." A series of woos crossed the radio transmission and Lance snickered in the background. That bastard. He was paying her back for what she did at dinner. Keith 1- Allura 1.

"I hate you! And don't call me that!." Huffed Allura as she glared daggers at Kogane.

" No, seriously. This is a battle of attrition. Anything that comes your way blast it. If this umbra is as destructive as we think it is and it becomes loose, ruruZDo not let it catch you in its grasp by any means. Now step on it, were almost out of time.

The lions roared through the sky, so loud that Lotor heard it from underground.

"They are coming sire. Prepare to start the ritual." Hagar urged. Lotor looked at her in annoyance as he read his manuscript one more time. He knew it by heart, the ancient drule words and there was no room for mistakes. Handing the manuscript to Hagar, he cut open his hand, letting the blood flow from it through the cracks in front of the huge grey iris. To his delight, Lotor watched as the iris turned from greyish black to a deep crimson. The umbra roared and Lotor laughed with joy. Finally, he would win. The universe and Allura. 'How dare she reject me!' he thought as he felt power coursing through him, giving him a greenish glow.

"I'm sorry, my Prince. But I can't love you! I never chose to be your father's slave. I never chose to get pregnant." A beautiful blond haired woman, green eyed human wept pitifully as a child Lotor looked on, confused.

"You're my mother. You're supposed to choose me. I can make you happy, not like that man. When I'm older I'll be strong enough to fight for you." The child spoke, reaching out to smooth his mother's hair innocently . When she felt his touch, she jumped back, wide eyed.

"I can't. I can't wait that long. He'll kill me long before you've grown. I'm sorry my Prince. Its already too late." Coughing violently, the woman tried to breath but knew it was futile. Blood stained her weak, undernourished hands as she wept for herself. For her son. Reaching out, she caressed Lotor's pristine, smooth cheek one more time.

"I never chose you. I wish I was given the chance to.

Shouts from his soldiers could be heard deep in the tunnel as their intruders approached. Some rocks around the umbra shook and fell as the creature tried to break free, but couldn't. He could see more of it as a gigantic claw slammed into the amber barrier, but to no avail. A shielded soldier, one of his personal guard, knelt beside the prince suddenly, clutching his chest and choking. The guard growled viciously before he slammed head first into the unsuspecting Prince, knocking the air out of him, causing Lotor to stumble. Hagar, shocked by the events, turned to point her staff at the guard, shooting him in the head and decapitating him in a bloody mess. At that moment, two more guards grabbed each of her arms, throwing her staff away from her. Their grasp was too strong for a drule grasp, Hagar realised as she scratched to get free. Lotor slammed his hand into the amber barrier, furious at the attack.

"What is the meaning of this nonsense, you swine!"

" Tsk. Tsk." Another guard said as he approached the Prince, holding an oak chest carefully. Recognition swept across Lotor's face and then, fury.

"Human trash. Today you breath your last! How dare you interrupt me!"

"Interrupt you? You're the one who interrupted me. This is my find, Lotor. Mine. And that creature is mine."

" Nonsense! You are no drule that can command the umbra. Only I can control them. They are my legacy!" Turning to the creature that was still trying to claw its way out, Lotor shouted: " Creature of my forefather. I have come to claim my right. Your power is mine. Release yourself and obey me!"

Nothing happened.

Horrified Lotor slammed his hand against the amber rock again, but the creature responded but slamming its claw at Lotor, causing a few boulders to fall where Lotor had been.

"Impossible. You are your grandfather's blood. It must obey you." Hagar gasped, clawing at the hands of the small robeasts that held her tight. Her body was suspended off the ground by the two, who didn't even flinch at the deep gashes.

"Ah. To awaken the umbra, you need to be a descendant of the man who controlled them. Correct. And you need to have weakened the five kingdoms. I did that. You must be willing to destroy these worlds. I am willing. You are not, Lotor. You want to conquer and build using the umbra as pets. No. No. You have never understood what true power is, you brat. A heart truly bent on destruction can merge with the mind of the umbra, not one filled with fantasies of blond girls." The guard took off his helmet to reveal a composed Aidan. Or what seemed like him. His veins bulged in places around his face, straining under his skin and pulsing a bright crimson. His eyes gleamed a bloody crimson. Unnatural. Evil. The umbra stopped its thrashing when it's eyes met Aidan's, hypnotised. It became deceptively calm.

" My experiments have paid off in more ways than one. I am the true Emperor of the drule and human races. Only a drule with your grandfather's blood can control them. Or your grandfather himself. And his blood, cells and tissue now live within me! I am your master, Lotor!" Laughing, Aidan lifted his arms in pride, which caused the umbra to scream in return.

"You really are evil." Keith shouts as he throws his sword, pinning Aidan's right arm to a rock face, momentarily surprising him. Lance jumped in, guns blazing, forcing Lotor to duck behind one of the robeasts. Reaching Aidan, he went to snatch the box from the older man's underarm, only to be grabbed by the throat. Hanging off the ground, Lance couldn't believe the strength of the man as he gasped for air. Lotor slashed the robeasts, freeing Hagar and kicking her staff to her. Faster than Lance's waning eyes could follow, he felt himself hit the ground and tumble. His battle senses kicked in and saved him before he'd hit the wall. Beams of energy shot up from the ground around Aidan, creating a barrier of crimson flames reaching the ceiling of the monstrous cave. Trepidation filled Lance as he felt the ice cold hand was still attached to his throat. Keith flicked his sword to remove the disgustingly unnatural thick blood while he assessed the situation. The monster inside the barrier was slamming violently against the surface, clawing and scratching at Keith. The spirits of the black lion and red lion appear, one guarding the umbra and the flaming red lion guarding Aidan, growling viciously.

" The loose end." Aidan sneers, analysing the barrier erected by the red lion. It was his first time encountering the lion spirits. His foe. His stolen legacy. The umbra beat continuously against the barrier, as if desperate to reach the Alpha lion, which growls tremendously, its authority unquestionable as it stared down the umbra, silencing its attacks.

" The dead man." Responded Keith.

"You're both dead men." Snapped Lotor, unleashing his laser sword, the glow from the blade heightening the eerie look on his face. Lance, unclenched the offending appendage from his throat and threw it back at Aidan through the gaps in the barrier, who slowly placed his box on the ground, placing a booted foot on it and reached for the hand. To everyone's horror, he reattached it by saying a few words, which caused the umbra to glow just as his wound did. After a few seconds, he flexed his gloved fingers, testing them.

"You aren't the only ones blessed on this planet, Kogane. Mclain." Spoke Aidan with unbridled pride at his handiwork.

" This isn't good chief. We're out numbered. We need help." Lance murmured as he watched the little show. The two of them versus a witch, a psycho Prince and a monster. Wonderful.

"Stick to the plan. Or I can swap you out with Pidge." Their odds were obviously low and injuries were inevitable. But they had to stop this madness.

"Fuck you!" shouted Lance at the commander's insinuation. The blood of the lion warriors of the red lion flowed through Lance. Playboy he may be, but he was the second in command of voltron.

They'd never fought together before and based on their opponents, they had no option but to trust each. Keith went for Lotor first, who parried his fist strike. Narrowing his eyes hatefully, Lotor let loose a flurry of vicious attacks, one after another. Sword met sword. They jumped apart before lunging at each other again, a blade whizzing past Lotor's blue throat, missing by a few millimetres. Lance watched as the two went at it, impressed by how fast their swings were going. They were really trying to kill each other. Lotor swung his blade down, forcing Keith to block the solid blow, their blades scrapping against each other. He let out a grunt as a punch dug into his gut from the captain's hand, forcing him to take a step back. Seeing an opening, Lotor swung aiming for Keith's neck, but the latter ducked and kicked him square in the gut, earning a grunt from the Prince as his blade followed through, catching Lotor's arm.

Not be outdone, Lance let loose shot after shot from his guns. Swords were not his style. Too personal, too intimate a weapon for him. His babies, though were extension of him. Haggar blocked the attack with her staff, redirecting each shot away from her as she twirled her staff in front of her. Jumping in the air, Lance dodged a huge viridian mass aimed where he had been standing. Mass met floor before the putrid smell of decay caught Lance's nose. She had released some type of corrosive material from her staff which ate at the floor, liquidating it.

'This witch has an arsenal of evil in that frail cody of hers. Careful, buddy.' Lance warned himself as he left straight for Haggar's horizontal staff, aiming his guns at the center at letting loose a barrage of shots. Haggar stared at the young man, not even amused. Disgust and hatred coursed through her veins as she analysed the latent potential in the warriors they had to battle. She could feel the strength that flowed through their veins, a strength she had sought and lost when she had sacrificed her beauty and power to release the umbra for Magnus. Her Magnus. She hated their youthfulness, despised their future. 'I will erase them all!'

"This staff is older than your generations, ingrate! A mortal weapon cannot graze this. Now die!" twirling her ancient weapon, she muttered cryptic sentences, creating a green halo at the base of the staff before she slammed it into the rocky ground. Feeling the evil power flowing from the staff and through the air, Lance had no time to react. Rocks shook and sped toward Lance all at once. Cackling victoriously, the witch proudly gazed at the piled rocks, believing the red lion warrior crushed.

"These children are no match for me! Your highness..." pausing in shock, she saw the rocks smoulder, red tinged as the heat around them increased from the center. Flowing from them in a trickle was...

"Lava!"

As the words left her mouth, the scorching pile blew toward her in speed's she couldn't encounter. Haggar screamed a gut wrenching scream as the burning rocks met her exposed face and hands, blinding her. Lava scorched the front of her dingy, heavy robe, setting it on fire. A heavily panting Lance emerged, the flames around him dancing on his skin and in his hair. His eyes blazed a crimson red, his hair danced with a reddish hue. The red of his lion.

"Everyone knows I'm a hot head, witch. I think the name is rightly given. Don't you?" Lance panted. He staggered as blood coarsed through him, blindingly hot. His father's lessons finally paid off. 'I did it, old man. I finally did it.' He praised himself. Lotor paused his attack on his enemy, glancing between the witch and her human opponent. In disgust, he sneered as Haggar begged him to help her.

"I never come to the aid of weaklings, you hag. Your loss just shows the end of your usefulness."

"My Prince...please!" Haggar begged. " The fire burns! It's not normal, the flames are intense!" she screamed. Rolling from side to side, the agony was unbearable. Enchanting herself failed as she desperately knelt before Lotor, fighting to prove useful to him. However, the pain only increased, a stomach turning smell of burnt flesh filling the cave.

"It fails, sire.!I beg you. Sav..'

"Then die!" Lotor yelled as he kicked Haggar again and again until she rolled into an endless hole that had opened up because of her magic. Her weak cries fell with her until it was eerily silent. Lotor's muscles were wound up tight, his grip on his sword vicious. These insects were out to ruin him. Him! His pupils narrowed as he turned to Lance, who was gasping for breath at this point. His gifts needed to be worked on, but as long as haggar was out of the picture, exhaustion was worth it. Lance felt the air move in front of him, his eyes widening as the Prince descended upon him, reptilian eyes slits at this point. Lance had never been at the point of death before, but as Lotor's sword descended in a sharp arch, he knew he was about to die. He felt his heart stop as the enraged drule aimed to sever him in half.

Lotor's blade met air, his target shimmering from his path.

"Oh." Aidan commented, greatly amused by the entertainment so far. Angrily, Lotor turned on him tensely, the vein in his neck standing under his skin, pulsing. His target was for whatever reason kneeling beside the cage of flames. Lance himself stared at Lance, confused. He should be dead, too weak to have countered the sword aimed at his neck. The one who was sweating and breathing somewhat heavily was Kogane.

'Whatever that was, I don't care. They all die!' Rushing Kogane, he managed to strike his foe's arm.

"Only a fool can choose to fight me and expect to live. Worse still, an injured one! How dare you think you can stand equal to me! How dare you think you can take Allura from me!" Bearing down on his sword, Lotor suddenly threw dirt in Keith's face, following through with a punch on his target: Keith's arm. Gasping in pain, Keith relied on his instinct and ability to read ki, he rolled to the left out of Lotor's sword path. But Keith wasn't going to be outdone. Kicking his leg out, he met the prince's ankle, which caused the drule to tumble before he met Keith's heel to his head. Lotor felt more than saw the punches aimed at his torso and face. The intensity shocked him.

"Don't ever mention Allura's name again, you sick bastard. How dare you hurt her like that!" Rage burned in Keith's blood. This man wasn't a threat to the planet or the galaxy. He was a threat to his woman. To someone who belonged with him. He saw a man willing to destroy the amazing woman, destroy something so beautiful. Keith committed that it would not happen. Aiming to knock Lotor out, he reacted too late to the rock the Prince had picked up and bashed his head.

"Keith!" Lance shouted, as he saw Lotor escape from under Keith, gasping and wheezing. No doubt Lotor had broken ribs, one which most likely had pierced his lung. The Prince wheezed and spat blood out, pain accompanying each breath. His frosted head, brown and bloody from the fight, met the ground in anguish. Lotor fought to rise but couldn't, as his eyes met those of the human who had pummelled him, who was staggering to his feet, blood flowing from the right side of his head. Keith reached for his sword, breathing heavily.

'Center yourself. Don't give ground to your enemy ' Graham's words repeated themselves inside him as he planted his feet firmly into the soil. His heart raced as he pointed his sword at Lotor again, taking a deep breath, ready for the next attack.

Lotor made it to the wall of the cave, managing to pull himself up with its aid. His breathing intensified as sweat beads formed on his brow. He started feeling tingles in his fingers and looked at his right hand. It was shaking.

'Is this fear? No. No! It's shock. I'm injured." Lowering his hand, he glared at Keith as he used the cave wall as a guide and ran toward the entrance. Lance let out a sigh of relief, shoulders slumping a bit as he realised that the odds were now in their favour. 'One down. One to go.' Lance thought as he got to his feet, making his way to Keith.

"Hey. Are you good?"

"I'm all right. Nothing I can't handle." Mumbled Keith as he touched the side of his head, feeling moisture in his locks. 'People have been after my head a bit too much. Jeff and now Lotor. But I can't stop. Not now.'

"We just have to deal with him now." Keith stated as they both looked at Aidan, who looked very comfortable, confined. His quietness sent the two young men on edge.

"That was quite the show. Who would have imagined that it would be the child I failed to kill that would do my dirty work for me? Ironical, isn't it?"

"What's more ironical is that the child you thought you killed is the one that's going to stop you. Even if it costs me my life " Keith stated, going to the black lion.

"We have you trapped now. You won't be able to do any more harm now." Lance stated, sending a message to the team that they were both alright and to expect Lotor's exit.

"Its the other way round. The ones that are trapped are the two of you." Before Lance could respond, he saw Aidan's eyes flash at the same time the umbra's flashed. Horrified, they watched as the monster human grab onto one of the bars of flames, undeterred by what had happened to Haggar. They witnessed the flames becoming smaller and smaller as they disappeared into Aidan's hand and into the umbra. The creature inside the barrier roared as its body seemed to be engulfed in flames before they disappeared into its skin.

'Energy cannot be destroyed.' Before he knew it, Keith was flying across the cave, the impact of Aidan's punch felt in his bones. Most likely, that one hit had broken three of his ribs.

" Lance, watch out!" managed to shout Keith as Aidan grabbed Lance, throwing him onto the floor with force, causing the younger man to gasp in pain. The lions roared, standing in attack position in front if the barrier.

"Guardians of Arus. Heed me. Follow me and your greatness will be sung across the galaxies. You will be free of this human burden. Come!" he ordered, stretching out his hand to them.

'The umbra. The drule empire. The human empire. And now the lions. I will acquire it all!" Keith and Lance, horrified, felt the earth tremble beneath them, the vibration weakening them as if they were both being sapped of strength. What followed was the shattering of the earth.

"No!" Allura screamed as she saw the heat signatures spike beyond reading on her monitor. She saw lotor stagger to his ship, saved by a sacrificed soldier's body as a shield.

"Pidge, what's happening! Where are the captain and Lance!" she asked, shooting at the fleeing Prince who had shielded his ship.

"Allura, my sweet." Lotor's smooth voice came through the radio before the screen blinked, showing am image of a bloody swollen, furious drule Prince.

"How dare you show your face in front of me!"

"You're ire i gladly enjoy. Love does have its rough patches."

"Rough patch? You killer her brother you jerk, my brother!" yelled Pidge as he turned from his calculations, blood boiling and tears rolling as he shot at the ship, which dodged elegantly. A distressed Hunk called out Pidge but it was too late. A volley of missiles hit the side of the green lion, causing it crash into a nearby mountain.

"Pidge!"

"This is a discussion between a man and his wife! Worthless children need not interfere!" yelled Lotor as he ordered his ships to keep the other lions distracted.

"I will never be a wife to such a twisted man."

"Why my darling. We're both twisted. Didn't you prove that when you killed your brother with your bare hands? Didn't you enjoy the feel of the blade tearing through his flesh and muscle? You are a true drule queen."

Allura clenched her fists around her controls. The monster before her was beyond comparison. She had ranted, raved and cried at her brother's death to the point where it pleased him. Pleasured his ego. Remembering her father's pain on a daily basis, the fact that he got up when he didn't want to, made her pause. As Lotor ranted in the background, she watched Pidge get up with Hunk's support before they both went back to back, taking out the fighters around them. They still got up and fought. Everything. She remembered Lance's smiles and philandering, habits he'd developed to stay strong and fight another day. He took each day as it came, because he had to get up for everyone. Even if he didn't want to lead. Her husband?

"Wait."

Stopping before the mess hall doors, Keith turned his dark eyes to his soon to be wife. In a flight suit, Allura realised that she really was in trouble because of how fitted it was on him. She didn't fail to notice how his eyes traced her curves heartedly, causing her to blush. She tried to suppress it, but was annoyed when she realised that he was intentionally doing it to give her a rise.

"Why? Why did you choose to fight in the army when you doubted the Royal families? I mean, you are marrying the daughter of the man whom you doubt the most. Why, captain?."

She heard him sigh and watched as he stared at the mess hall doors, hearing the excited whispers behind it. He could see the crowd through the window, waiting for them. She watched him drag his hand through his unruly hair, which she found to be a habit with him from time to time. Without a doubt, she knew that she was marrying a breathtaking man. When they had children, she hoped they would have his dark hair. She felt her face burn up with little more at the thought .

"They say fortune comes in turns in my language. The bad is never persistent, good times always come. I guess, for me anyway, I used to think that I was more unfortunate than others. I hated growing up alone with a strange man, in a strange place. When I got a bit older I realised that I wasn't mad with everyone. I was...furious...with my father. For leaving me when he could have taken me with him. I hated that I lived, Allura." Pausing as he saw a couple of kids run their way excitedly before entering the mess hall where the ceremony would take place, Keith smiled.

"I went to his grave and ranted for hours, completely wasted. I told him how disappointed I was in him, how angry I felt at him. I let loose on the man. But you know what? It felt good. Really good. All the high expectations and beliefs I had about my father vanished. All the high expectations I had about the lions vanished as well. I realised that he wasn't this superhero man that I'd thought he was, that people thought he was. He was just a father who wanted to save his kid. I understood that he wanted to save other people's kids and families. He never had a choice about his career or whether my mother survived childbirth. He understood that he couldn't control all things, as powerful as he was as the most powerful man on this world. Even in death, he taught me a lesson.

He got up and walked when it hurt. To save me. And I have to do the same. Even if it means changing who I am. I could have killed your father, Mclain's father, all those old men in there because I was hurt by their decisions. I had been brooding about it for years. I chose to do what my father did. God knows it hurts. But I have to do it." He finished quietly.

Shall we?" he asked, presenting his elbow to his wife and mate. The grey doors opened to the masses for the most unconventional royal wedding in Arusian history.

Taking a deep breath as she scanned her shattered homeland illuminated by the night moon, she realised that she had to change. For everyone's sakes. She had been selfish. Her choice to fly had been about showing everyone how worthy she was of her lion. She was disgusted by how self absorbed she was about her shows of strength and rights. How much would have changed had she told the brass about the robeast experiments? If she had confronted her fear of disgrace and unworthiness. She realised that sadly, when others got up and walked painfully, trying to rebuilt their lives, she had cowered in fear of their judgements. How they would find her unworthy. And Lotor, more than anyone else, understood and had taken advantage of that fact.

I'm a coward.

No, child. You're learning like everyone else. And you'll never have to do it alone.

"Lotor."

The drule Prince smiled in glee, happy to hear his me pass from those beautiful rose lips. How he dreamt of those lips screaming his name in pleasure. His eyes narrowed, preparing for the tirade he was expecting . Her fury was as delightful as her tears to him. Meeting her eyes though, he noticed a resolve in them. Something he really did not like.

"I am the crown princess of Arus. I will never be your wife because I married a real man. It pleases you to hang the memory of my brother's death over my head. Alright. I accept. Parade it to everyone who wants to hear that I, Allura Raimon Kogane, wife of Akira Keith Kogane, killed her brother. I'll accept their taunts and judgement but I will never allow them to disrespect his memory or what he died fighting for. I used to hate you for keeping me alive, Lotor. But now, I want to say something I thought I would never say to you: Thank you. For keeping me alive. For making me realise that I'm not unique or special at all. I apologise if I ever gave you that impression. Unfortunately, that's the only decent thing I'll ever say to you. You won't haunt me at night anymore because I have something better to distract me before I fall asleep. And when I wake me up."

"You bitch!" Lotor shot at Allura, who jumped to the ground avoiding the missiles and let out her own proton missiles at a nearby ship, which crashed into Lotor's thrusters.

"You bitch! How could you defile yourself with primate? After all I've done for you."

"I give you my thanks, Prince Lotor. If not for your terrors, who would I have become. I learnt from people who've lost more than me to you and your kind. Now get out of my sight!" Firing laser and laser, Allura shot at the fleeing ship until it was not reading on their radar.

" Wow, Princess. Way to go!" Hunk applauded from his lion.

"Sorry for being a drag, Princess." Pidge whispered and sniffed as he wiped his wet, red eyes with his sleeve. "I'll do better. I promise."

" I know you will. If its not too much to ask, can you start now. Before I become the youngest widow and shortest married monarch in history." Allura emphasized as their reading kept skyrocketing.

"On it."