The Middle Kingdom - Ten
Hagar gazed at Zarkon though her crystal as he slept. She did not dare go to his rooms to watch him, for he was a light sleeper, but she could not resist. He looked so peaceful when he slept, not like he did when awake, ranting and raving about Voltron. As of late, it was all he did - that and rant about Lotor's failures. He had already tried to have him killed once, but she had intervened in secret. Lotor had been grateful - well, as grateful as he could be. He had discussed plans to overthrow his father.
At first, she didn't want to hear of it, but later, Zarkon had insulted her yet again, denigrating her powers. It was as if he disregarded every success she ever gave him. What would he be if she hadn't helped him? She felt a mixture of anger and frustrated love as she gazed at his sleeping face. She touched the crystal with her withered hand. It had been so long since she graced his bed - so long, and yet she could still remember the passion between them. Oh she knew he didn't love her but she loved him, and she thought that would be enough for her. It was easy to feel that way when she could be with him and share his passion. He was never repellent to her, but since her accident, she had became less than nothing to him - a tool, a means to an end. Hagar had been so tempted to just take another form temporarilly and just be with him, but she was afraid that in the intensity of the moment she would forget and her illusion would fade. She knew that he would kill her if he knew she attempted to do that through her tricks.
Hagar sighed. She lived for the day when he would acknowlege her contributions to her sucess, but he did not, instead he insulted her constantly. That was why she had promised Lotor she would help him overthrow his father. A part of her still loved Z'aale - always would, but the other part wanted what was coming to her and Lotor promised her co-rulership of Doom if she helped him defeat Voltron and gain Allura for his own.
Hagar cackled. Lotor was as in love with the princess as she was with Zarkon. She wondered if they deserved their love - although she knew that the princess repressed her feelings for Lotor. Zarkon had no love for anyone - except in the carnal sense- it was the only love he knew to give. Hagar shook her head. It didn't matter anymore. He had crossed her and insulted her enough. She would side with Lotor on this and she would come out on top. She loved him and she would give anything to be with him, but she had just about had it. If he would only relent - only say one word in appreciation, she would serve him forever, without a qualm. But he would not and she knew it. She gazed at his sleeping face again and her heart melted, then she made herself stop her foolish feelings. She would not let her feelings get in the way. She would suceed...
Zarkon was within a roebeast. He, the King of Doom, the one who had carved an empire out of nothing was in a roebeast by order of his own son! Zarkon felt utter rage, utter betrayal. His son had betrayed him - this he expected. But Hagar! She betrayed him! This he did not expect at all. What had caused her to do so? He had been lenient with her failures. He had let her live after her accident! He had been merciful to her! He had been very good to her - she knew it too. She was fortunate to have been around him as long as she had! An ugly wench like her!And now..now he was to fight Voltron while his fool son played King. How galling! He was somewhat proud of his son's daring, even as he wanted to kill him for it. But first, he would destroy Voltron. It was perhaps the only good thing about this whole affair. He would tear the robot to shreds, and then he would return and take his throne back. He would punish the ones who betrayed him. He would not destroy them, but would make them suffer for it. Zarkon smiled. Yes, as soon as Voltron was dead, he would regain what was lost. This was simply a minor setback.
Defeat!! His father had been defeated by Voltron! And Hagar, that traitorous witch! He should have known she would..He didn't need her. He didn't need anyone. They were all here, and he would defeat them all one by one. When they were all dead, and Allura wept among their bodies, he would take her for himself and wipe away her memories of them forever...
Falling..screaming! He and the dark-haired foriegner towards the ground. Lotor didn't care. Even as he fell, he tried to choke the life out of him. They fell for what seemed like forever. Lotor expected to feel the ground rush towards him - crushing the life out of his body. But he had been disoriented by their plunge and when they hit water instead of hard ground, Lotor was thankful. He had another chance! The cold water made him gasp. He felt the other man - Sven depart from him. It didn't matter. Let him go. He had to fend for himself now.
He swam up to the surface, making sure he was hidden by the rubble of the castle. He saw that foolish Rommelle try to help Sven out of the water. The others of the Voltron Force ran there as well. Lotor's eyes though, were drawn to only one of the figures - Allura. She stood with the rest, but Lotor noticed that she gazed out at where they had fallen. Did she wonder if he were dead? Did she truly care? He smiled, the cold of the water ignored for now. She did have feelings for him. He knew it. For a moment, as he looked out at her, he could have sworn he saw her eyes lock with his, and her lips part as if she would say something - his name perhaps, but then Akira said something to her and she turned away. Lotor turned away and swam to a hidden part of the shore. Dripping wet and not caring, he made his way to his ship and took off for Tyrus. He would be back for her. Let them think that they had won, that their victory was assured. Doom would rise again - it was a resilient world - a resilient Empire. As for his father, he did not care. If he were dead, so much the better. If not, he would deal with that when the time came. Lotor smiled. He would not be easily defeated by his enemies....