Four

He was dragged out to his father's throne room by the guards who placed him next to Hagar. There he stood motionless. Lotor was ready for anything. He expected to die at any moment. What he did not expect to see was his father coming down from his throne to greet him. He had not done that in ages. Not since before when he was pleased with Lotor's performance. That was the only time his father ever greeted him thusly - when he wassuccessful in bringing a new planet into the Empire.

Zarkon walked up to Lotor and said, "Good morning, Lotor. I trust you slept well.."

Of course Lotor could say nothing because of the spell. Zarkon chuckled."Oh I forgot, you are incapacitated, aren't you? Well, Lotor, you should be honored. I have invited you to be part of a special occasion.."

Lotor didn't really care. The only thing he was concerned about was Allura. Where was she? Did he kill her? He thought that he would know if he did. If he were free, he would find out, but instead he was caught in Hagar's damnable spell!

A guard came into the throne room, bowed low and said, "Forgive me, sire..Prisoner C-R1 has arrived as commanded.."

Zarkon turned towards the guard and said, "Good! Our esteemed friend Coran is here. Bring him in."

The guard nodded and complied. Lotor saw two guards bring Coran in.He looked haggard and old. He had beaten, but not recently. Lotor was rather suprised he was in as good shape as he had been. The former prime minister was brought to stand beside Lotor. He was chained and hobbled to where he could not move much. Lotor could see him glance around the room. Obviously, he was looking for Allura just as he had. Zarkon's eyes gleamed as he stepped over to Coran.

He said, "Coran! I am so pleased you could join us!"

The prime minster was silent, his eyes speaking volumes - hate blazed from his face. Lotor knew if this man were free, he would kill his father without a second thought. Zarkon laughed. Lotor thought he was in a very good mood. Why shouldn't he be? He had conquered the universe, he had everything, and now he could afford to be gracious. Lotor hated him - hated him more than he had ever had. All his cruelties, his coldness. He had lost his mother because of him. He knew that he had something to do with that too. His mother never would have left him - he had arranged for her death, this he knew. After he had found that out, he had vowed his father would die.
At present, his father was gloating over the both of them. Hagar suprisingly, remained silent. The witch did not have any of her usual wisecracks to say. It was if she knew what was going to happen.

Zarkon addressed the both of them. "Well, now...I have my guests of honor..now all I await is the bride!"

Lotor saw Coran's eyes widen.

His father said, "Yes, Coran..I am marrying a certain princess you are well aquainted with!"

Lotor felt such unrelenting hatred. How dare he? How dare he do this? It was bad enough that he defiled her but to chain her to him? To be like Mother? He remembered the odd times when he caught his mother crying and he didn't know what was wrong. He had thought in his young mind that it was his fault. She would weep as if her heart were breaking, and it was usually after his father and she had been in their chambers together. Even at his young age, he sensed his father had something to do with it, but he didn't know what. Now he knew, and the thought of his beloved having to go through that made him want to just take his father and twist his head off. If he were free, he would do it too. It sickened him, thinking of his father touching her in that way.He would have made her happy, despite their differences. He knew this in his heart. He would have made everything pleasant for her and he would have given her all his love. That was more than anyone else would ever give her. His father would only give her pain and sorrow, and he would delight in it. Lotor knew that he was marrying her for this reason - to give pain and sorrow to the ones who loved her.
His father interrupted his thoughts. He was addressing Coran. "So, aren't you happy, Coran? Finally, your princess is marrying! It's about time, isn't it?"

Coran said angrily, "I'd rather see Allura dead than bound to you!"

Zarkon laughed and then slapped Coran brutally. The prime minister staggered but did not fall. Zarkon said, "Too bad you feel that way, Coran. She is of use to me. She is young, healthy, spirited - she will bear me children. It is the least she can do after all the trouble your planet has caused me."

Coran yelled, "We stood up to you and you couldn't stand that, could you? You eased your way into the Alliance's good graces and we had to tolerate you, but Allura knew. We all knew that you were up to something! We owe you nothing! Allura owes you nothing! Kill us all! It's what you always seem to want isn't it? To kill and destroy all that is good? You have what you want Zarkon!"

Zarkon grasped Coran by the collar and said menacingly, "And just who are you - a slave to dictate to me - to ME - what I want? I will kill you eventually, Coran - when I am tired of your moralizing, but as for Allura, she will give me children - as many as I require.." He grinned and let go of Coran's collar. He added "And I will enjoy the conceiving of them, Coran..this I assure you."

Coran struggled with his chains and yelled, "You bastard from hell!"

Zarkon merely smirked. "Your insults have no effect, Coran.." He turned to the guard beside him and said, "Light stun. I want him concious but quiet.."

The guard complied and stunned Coran. For the moment, both he and Lotor were like living statues.Zarkon turned to Lotor and said, "Ah, did you think I forgot you, my son? Of course not. You know, you should be thrilled. You will be getting a new mother today!"

Lotor's expression didn't change, butinside the rage boiled. He could see red.

His father smiled and said, "Why soon you will be a big brother! Won't that be nice?" Zarkon laughed. "What, no glad response? Oh, I forgot! Dear Hagar has you under her spell.."

He turned to Hagar and said, "You will have him ready for later, won't you, Hagar?"

The witch simply said, "Yes, sire."

Zarkon turned back to Lotor and said, "Good." Zarkon gazed at Lotor and said, "Lotor, when you were born, the entire Empire celebrated. I made it a holiday. My slaves received half-rations. My officers recieved new pleasure-slaves. It was a very happy occasion.I was elated when you were born. I had plans for you.You were to be the instrument of my expansion.You would gain worlds for the Empire, marry into another line and gain their empire for our own. Oh yes. I pinned all upon you." Zarkon shook his head. "But I was wrong about you. Oh, you were a credit to me for awhile. You did as you were bid and I rewarded you. I rewarded you generously as I did all those who performed their duties well. You were of value to me - a credit. I was proud of you each time you conquered a planet. Your very name was feared thoughout the galaxy and this made my name great as well." Zarkon walked around him again, stopped and faced him. He said, "But then you let your personal desires get in the way didn't you? Oh yes. I knew you wanted to overthrow me, take what was mine. You were greedy, weren't you, my son? You wanted what you did not earn.." Zarkon's eyes became hard and he raised his voice."You did not build an empire from nothing! You did not rise from a backwater planet to become the Galaxy's greatest conqueror, did you? No! You were merely a by-product of a night's pleasure, boy! I wanted a son and I got one! But you - you, Lotor are a miserable failure to me! You let your obseesion with Allura rule you! You made stupid mistakes. You blamed Yurak, Cossack, Voltron! You blamed everyone for your stupidity except yourself, boy!" His father laughed. "I cannot believe you love the girl, but you do! I can see it!" Zarkon backed away from Lotor and sneered at him. "I never thought you weak, Lotor, but you are. Well now, I will take recompense for all the times you tried to take my throne. I will now take what you regard as yours. I will bind her to me and she will get to see you die in the Games. Perhaps that will make her happy. She has never liked you as I recall." Then Zarkon grinned and said, "Oh and by the way, Lotor..I can see why you were so caught up with her. She is quite beautiful - all over.."

To Zarkon's delight, Lotor actually shook! He said, "Want to kill me, boy? Save your strength for the Roebeast Games later! You will fight the winner of the tournament. For now, relax ahd enjoy the ceremony!" He turned away and said impatiently almost to himself. "Where is she? I told them to ready her!"

At that moment, another guard came to the entrance of the room and bowed. He said, "Your Majesty. She is here."

Zarkon smiled and said, "Ah! Very good!" He turned to Hagar and said, "A king cannot very well marry himself can he? Hagar, you know what to do. It will be in the tradition of my race. Get up here."

Hagar went up with none too good of grace. As she went by, muttering, Zarkon said, "One word, Hagar, one word.." The witch stiffened. Even if he whispered the word, it would spell her end.She went up to where the steps led to his throne and waited. Zarkon turned to the guard at the entrance and said, "Bring her to me.."

Let The Fun Begin - Five
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