(*Author's note: This picks up right after the events of the Prologue)
Dark Kingdom - Two
Allura had got up and Zarkon solitiously helped her up. She had excused herself for the moment, to wash her face off and compose herself. She felt all eyes upon her, but mostly she felt Lotor's. She did not sense anger from him, but love and longing from him. Surely they could get through to him somehow. It did him no good to remain silent. She knew that perhaps she would be able to influence someone into reducing his sentence if he would only cooperate. She went down the hall to the bathroom and splashed water on her face and patted it dry. At least she felt a little better. She was ashamed for crying in front of everyone, but it hurt her to see him like that - so abused, so forlorn.
She came out and was met by Zarkon, to her distaste.
She said, "What is it?"
Zarkon took her arm gently and said, "We are moving the proceedings to a holding cell. After you left, he became enraged. The guards had to hold him back.."
Her eyes flashed. "What did you say to him?"
Zarkon gave her a suprised look. "I? My dear, I did nothing. Lotor simply became angry and tried to break his bonds - he was nearly sucessful.."
Allura said nothing. Zarkon placed his hand on her back and guided her along with him down the hall.
He said gently, "You don't have to go if you don't want to, my dear. This prison is not a place for someone of your beauty and grace."
Allura stiffened a little. Since when did Zarkon become a student of chivalry?..since he mended his ways..she thought.She felt guilty. She was not giving him a chance - but she could not help it.
Zarkon still had his hand on her back when he said, "Perhaps you would like to go back to the conference room to wait until this unpleasantness is over? I will keep you company, my dear.."
She felt his fingertips caress her back slightly, making her shiver in memory. She remembered when she had been his slave for a brief time. She hated his touch then and she hated it now. The thought of being in a room alone with him made her ill, even if he did supposedly change.
She said, "No, Zarkon. I am fine now. I volunteered to come here and I will go through with it. Thank you for your concern. "
Zarkon smiled, and removed his hand from her back to her relief, only to loop her arm in his own, clasping her small hand in his.
He said, "You are very brave, Princess. Very well. I will go in first and then I will bring you in.."
Allura nodded, not wanting to speak with him further. They went down the hall and went into the holding area. Zarkon patted her hand reassuringly as he went into the inner chamber. When he left, Allura wiped her hand upon her dress, knowing that it was a childish thing to do but couldn't help herself. She waited patiently..
Lotor had nearly lost it when he saw his father patting Allura's hand in mock sympathy, but when his father had helped her up from her chair again, again placing his hand upon her waist, he saw red. He could see Akira wanting to belt his father too for his subtle transgression. But his father was an official of the Alliance/Garrison now, and Akira could not assault a fellow comrade without incurring the wrath of Amagamus. That was fine with Lotor. He would avenge her!
As soon as she left, he strained at his bonds, his bionic arms making the bonds stretch. He yelled with rage, his eyes blazing at his father - all his hate was poured upon him, and he could swear he saw in his father's eyes that old evil glint of his - the one that calculated, that knew what an enemy was thinking. Lotor didn't care. He would kill the lecherous bastard for touching his Allura that way. He knew his father. He wasn't a monk, though he set himself up to be one. Lotor cursed at his father, the first words he had spoken in three years. His voice came out in a croak, not a yell, thus weakening his impact. The guards rushed at him, branishing their subdue weapons at him. He felt the pain of them in his side, and for the moment he slumped unconscious.
The guards said, "We should take him to a holding cell - he won't be able to harm anyone there- the bars are strong enough for him.."
The guards started to take Lotor away. Everyone got up and Akira said, "I will go tell the Princess.." but before Akira could act, Zarkon said, "No, I will do that.."
Akira started to protest when Amalgamus said, "Akira, you will come with me - we must be there when Lotor awakens. Zarkon will take care of the princess."
Akira gave him a glare but said nothing. Zarkon straightened his uniform and want down the hall. He saw her coming out of a corridor and hurridly rushed to meet her. He saw that her face was slightly swollen from crying, but she looked better than she had eariler. He looked into her eyes and saw that they were still a little teary-eyed which made them seem luminous. A man could get lost in them..Damn the girl!
He took her arm and explained the situation. He saw the acusation in her eyes and quickly explained what had happened. She was silent which he took for acceptance. He guided her down the hall, his hand on her back, again enjoying the sensation. He was in a sad state of affairs, when just the mere touching of a woman gave him pleasure. He spoke again, offering her a chance to get out of seeing Lotor again, but the stubborn girl refused his offer. He gallantly took her arm in his and led her to the outside of the holding cell. He patted her hand reassuringly, again letting his fingertips caress her hand and left her. When he came in the holding cell, his son was awake. He was standing now, still manacled with chains around his wrists, but able to move about a little.
Zarkon came up to Amalgamus and Akira and said, "Is there any progress?"
Amalgamus said, "Negative. He speaks, but he refuses to answer our questions. He is quite - abusive with his language."
Zarkon looked upon his son with pity, "Why wouldn't anyone, Amalgamus? I will try to reach him. After all, I am his father. I only wish the best for my son.."
He saw the smirk that came from his son. This didn't please him at all. Zarkon swallowed his anger and came to the bars, placing himself just beyond the range of Lotor's arms should he strike.
He said, "My son, please, you must tell the location of the weaponry. If you do not, it is quite possible that it could be used against the Alliance.."
Lotor looked into his eyes knowingly. Damn his son! It was as if he could see through him! Lotor actually spoke, his voice hoarse from disuse,
"You, Father - and the Alliance can go to hell, for all I care..I will not diclose the Fortress' location."
Zarkon said, "Lotor, come now. You know this does no good for you. I have changed. I fight for the good of the people now - you must do the same.."
Lotor actually laughed, "Please, Father..don't use that on me. I don't believe it.." He glared at Keith and Amalgamus and said, "And you are fools to believe him.."
Zarkon ignored his remark and said, heading for the door, "Then I guess I will need to bring someone who could persuade you - someone much prettier than I .."
A moment later he brought Allura in, and Zarkon could see instantly the change in his son. His eyes lit up with unconcealed joy and his face was filled with love.
Allura came up to him and said, "Lotor.."
His son came up to the bars, obviously wanting to touch her. Lotor said, "Allura, my love.."
She placed her hand through the bars and touched his manacled hands. She said softly, "Lotor, please tell them. I can get your sentence reduced. You can get out , be free to start a new life.."
Lotor cut her off snapping, "What, maybe I'll be out in twenty years or so? Perhaps I'll see you dandle your grandchildren on your knees! No!"
He jerked her hand in his, making her gasp. He continued, "As for free? I will never be free of you, Allura. Never. A new life? Yes! I want a new life with you, my love. It is all I want now - that and the destruction of Voltron!"
Allura tried to pull her hand away. "Lotor, you're hurting me!"
Akira ran up and branished his pistol, "Let her go, Lotor!"
Zarkon pulled Allura away from the bars as Lotor let go of her hand. Lotor felt such rage at his father.
He yelled, "Get your hands off her!"
His anger and his desperation to get to her was so great, he started to amass all his great strength and bend the bars. He needed to get to her!!
He yelled, "Allura! You are mine! Don't go!"
Suddenly, he heard the whirl of security bots around him, and he was instantly restained and manacled against the wall. He saw them all go. And even though he had stopped yelling, his screams echoed in his mind,..you are mine! Nothing can change that..nothing will! We will be together!!..
Later, as they placed him in solitary again..his mind formed a plan. He smiled. He knew how to get out of here, and when he did, they would all pay, and she - she would be his at last as it was always meant to be...Zarkon was not suprised when some months later, he was informed his son had escaped. He smiled. Now his son would be the menace of the Galaxy and he would be free to pursue his own plans. He would be patient. Soon it would not be long before all would fall in place...