CHAPTER 6

Forgiveness and Sin

He couldn't sleep. Usually, he could have slept through an earthquake.. but this was far far worse than just the ground shaking. It was as if his whole world was yanked from under his feet. He didn't want to sleep anymore, for everytime, "they" would return. Who were "They"? At first, he did not know. But, it was familiar in a sense. He had to find out. It took some time, when, until at last, he found the source. "They" were the voices of those who died beside him, in the battlefields. They were the voices of those who were stripped away from their very existence, all for the cause of freedom he helped obtain. They were the ones he couldn't save in time. They were his people. They were his friends. They were his family. From the very corners of the mind, which was where he wanted those voices to stay, they emerged.
"Going crazy from too much damn free time, I say."
Hunk stared blankly at the ceiling. He knew he should be getting his rest, in order to heal quicker. But what was the use. Keith had told him that Lotor had stormed the castle days ago. Most of the castle personnel were either killed, or taken as prisoner. There were no specifics as to who were the lucky ones who were killed. He was just hopping to the gods that they'd forgive him. Forgive him for not being there to help them.
"Eh.. to hell with this!" He threw the sheets off, and slowly began to sit up. He was about to stand up, when suddenly, he felt that sick, nauseous feeling again. He collapsed back onto the pillow again.
"Damn.."
He tries again. This time the feeling was weaker. He was glad. He needed to stand up again. It had been 5 days, give or take a few, he wasn't paying much attention, since he last did so. He wondered if he had enough strength to do it again. He leans against the bedpost, and pulls himself up. His knees began to buckle again, but he would not let himself fall. He looks down to the ground, and sees his bare feet. This made him laugh. Before, he had a bit of difficulty seeing his toes. From all of Nanny's cooking, he supposed. His smile faded. Nanny, everyone, Coran, Gorma. Though he'd never dream of thinking of such a thing, he found himself wishing that they were killed, a nice quick death. He had heard, from those who had escaped from Doom, that death was far better than to be dead, yet still alive. Which was, how it felt like, as a captive of Doom.
He walks slowly toward the doors. Careful, as to not wake Lance and Keith, he pushes the door softly. Then, like a shadow, he creeps outside.
The full moon shone brightly. Almost like a little sun. The stars shone bright, as if competing with the moon. Though as hard as they tried, the Moon was the one that brightened up most of the sky. It shone on the dull thatches of the huts. The Moonlight also danced upon the leaves of the forest, making the leaves seem as if it were dipped in silver. Well, that is, what was left of the forest. The battle against the explosive robeast consumed nearly 1/4th of the large forest. Not to mention the Mechas, and Sonja and Dusty's body. This saddened him deeply. They would not be able to give them a proper burial. There was nothing left but ashes.
He shakes off the image of that day, and continues to look at his surroundings. He sees the castle off in a distance. Though, perfectly intact, it was different somehow. It was as if it lost all it's majesty. That it was tarnished, and gritty. As if the castle, itself, was dead.
"So, the living Dead walks!"
Hunk twirls, and sees Lance, standing and grinning behind him. Hunk glared at him, but then, he notices something. He couldn't pinpoint what it was, but he looked different.
"Oh great, something else to loose sleep after!" He thought to himself.
Lance makes his way, and stands next to his friend, and looks up at the Moon. Hunk looks again at Lance. He looked not like himself. He looked.. like the castle. Then.. It hit him. Dusty. He can't forget her, the poor guy. It had only been just five weeks since they meet. Wasn't much of what he'd call romance. They mostly exchanged harsh words to each other, rather than gentle ones.
"Just like kids.."
"What did you say?"
"ER.. I said, We're standing out here, just like kids, starring at the moon."
"Yeah, well, it's still two months early for Santa Claus."
Hunk grinned, and looked back up at the sky. He liked it right now. No fighting, no explosions around his ears. Just peace, and relaxation. At least, that's what he wanted.
"We've made contact with Sven." Said Lance, still looking up at the moon. "Pollox won't be a safe haven for these people. Lotor's using the same formula on all the planets. We're still waiting if Galaxy Garrison will even consider helping."
"What's the use. If Voltron couldn't defeat them.."
"Voltron could have, that is, If we formed him. But it was because we were separated, that the robeast had a good chance of defeating us."
"I know. But, like it all matters now. The Mecha's are destroyed. I just wish one could've been saved. Then maybe I could've fixed it."
"What if I was to say, You still could?"
Lance and Hunk turn, and Sees Keith, leaning on the doorway.
"Hey Keith, did we wake you?"
"Me, and everyone else in this town. You and Lance should at least let the others villagers sleep."
"Hey Keith, what did you mean?"
Keith grins at the two.
"I was wanting to save the news till morning."
"It is morning, just the sun still hasn't come up."
"Okay, okay. ::grins:: Well, few days ago, I went walking into the forest. I don't know why, or how but somehow, I ended up where we fought that robeast. Anyway, I came across Black Lion. It was charred everywhere. When I opened the latch, a huge cloud of smoke escaped."
"Does this story have a point, or is it a bedtime story?"
"If you shut up, then I'd get to the point."
Lance holds his hands up, and backs away.
"Well, after the smoke cleared, I entered the cockpit. The controls were also charred, as if on fire for a long time. I found the Black Lion key on the ground. It must have dropped from the interlock. Then, something pops into my head. It won't hurt to try. I insert the key. Just then, the motor starts humming. I was shocked. But, after a few seconds.. it shut back down."
"So, Are you saying that.."
"The Lions are still functionable?"
"Is that a word?"
"Oh shut up Lance!"
"I don't think it is. ER.. What I'm saying is that I think the Lions may still have a chance of being fixed. All it needs is the know-how."
"And some bubble gum, and spit won't hurt as well. *Laughs*"
"Funny Lance. I can't wait to start at them! Then we'll give Lotor and that Tammaya witch what's coming to them!"
"But right now.. I think you both should get your rest. Tomorrow, we can start on a way to get some tools to start working on the lions."
Lance and Hunk nod. Then, Keith and Lance walk back inside the cabin. Hunk stays, and looks back at the Moon. He feels as if it was shining brighter now. He grins, then turns and heads back inside the cabin. He falls asleep peacefully the instant he collapses onto his pillow.

~~~~~**********~~~~~

Allura sat on the bed. Her hands covering her teary face. What had she just done. Never, would she had done this horrid deed. But she had to. For the sake of her people. She had to give in to Lotor's ultimatum. Marry him, or else, her planet, and everything on it, would perish. It was the same ultimatum he had always given her. But this time, things were different. She was now trapped in his castle. On his planet. With no one else to help her. No one.
She strips the veil from her head, and throws it against the room. But instead of slamming against the wall, it just flutters toward the ground. This made her angrier. She then looks at the Ring she had around her finger. She tried as hard as she could, but she could not yank it away. She pulled and pulled, but all it did, was turn her delicate finger blue, and white.
"Oh Father! Please Forgive me! I had to. I did not want my people to suffer! Please Father, forgive.. me. *Sob*"
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Allura sat up straight, and roughly dried the tears on her cheeks.
"Mistress?"
Allura stares at the young boy that entered the room. He looked around eleven years old. His red hair shaggy, and dirty, just like his clothes. The boy approaches, but does not look at her, but rather at the ground.
"Master Lotor calls. He awaits for you at the throne room."
"I am not going."
"Mistress, do not anger him. Just come, please?"
Allura looked at the boy. Then, she felt her heart break even more than it was. To see this poor boy, standing in front of her. She knew that they must have done something terrible to him. Something she didn't want them to do to all her people. She had no other choice now. She would have to comply with him, or see all her people turned into what they've done to that poor boy.
"Very well. *whispers* For my people."
Allura approaches the throne room. The boy, who had escorted her all the way, bows quickly, then runs the opposite direction. Filled with Anger, she stomps toward where Lotor and Haggar were standing.
"Ah, my beautiful Allura! Come, wife! I have a surprise to show you!"
"I may be your wife, but I will never love you!"
"You will, soon! You'll stop that annoying habit of yours.. then you'll see the light. But Quiet! Look!"
Reluctantly, Allura peers into the crystal ball, which Haggar held on her hand. At first, she did not see anything. But then, she saw Hunk, Keith and Lance. She could not hear them, but she saw they were all laughing. They then grin, and nod at each other. Keith and Lance walks into a house. Hunk stays outside. He looks up. Allura gasps. For it looked as if he was looking directly at her. Shame, and guilt fill her body. She is about to turn away, but, she sees him grin. That boyish grin that always made her feel that she'd be all right. He then turns and walks in following the others. Then.. nothing.
Allura touches the crystal ball, tears overflowing her blue eyes.
"*Whispering* Please forgive me, Keith, Lance, Hunk. I'm so sorry!"
Haggar yanks away the ball, and walks away, grinning.
"I have spared them. Call it, a wedding gift."
"What about the rest of my people?"
"I have spared them too! Of course, there were the occasional rebels. But, no major loss." He then grabs Allura onto his arms. "Can't you see, I love you! From the first moment I saw you!"
"You do not know anything of "love". You have always acted in hate and greed! But, no matter. You have me. So, Just let my planet go! Let all the planets in my galaxy go!"
Lotor loosens up his embrace.
"I still have a use for your planet, and the others. But, I will go easy on your people. All this, for you." Lotor lifts her chin up, and kisses her. Allura breaks away, by turning her head. Lotor just smiles, and walks out the throne room.
Allura falls to her knees. and begins to cry. She had failed to protect her people. Failed.

To Doom's Crystal - Seven
To Crystal Menu
To The Throne Room