The Chronicles of Doom "Dark Kingdom" Five ..Months After Allura's Rescue from Lotor.... The Castle of Lions large ballroom was filled with decorative lights, lending a festive glow to the room. Beautiful plants had been brought in from all ove the galaxy for this occasion, which Allura thought was an affront to her father's memory. Tonight they would be hosting a ball - in Zarkon's honor. Allura shivered. She could not believe that the man that had murdered her father actually became head of the GG security council. This meant he was second-in-command to Amalgamus. Somehow this didn't set right with her, but it was a mandate by the people and the GG powers that be. She could only have control over Arus' affairs. It seemed that even the Alliance, who had been so against Zarkon in the past were now embracing his new "good" ways. She held her anger down as she dressed for the evening. She did not believe his act and neither did the guys or Coran, for that matter. No one ever said anything, but she could sense their distrust of the man. She for one, would never trust him. She sighed. She didn't want to hold this party for him, but he had made it to where she had to. He had freely doanated a massive amount of credits to fund Arus' ongoing rebuilding fund - without her asking. She had never asked him for a single credit, although many of the Alliance planets had. They had tried to convince her, saying that he owed it to Arus, anyway, but she refused. She would not take his money that had been made off his slaves. She surveyed herself in the mirror. Tonight's ball would be a "black and white" ball - where everyone would be attired either in black or white. She didn't know what posessed her to make to so - perhaps a wish to be able to see things that way..It seemed that anymore things were in shades of grey. The ideas that they fought for three years ago seemed to blur into a neitherworld of rules, regulations and statutes. And it seemed that there was a blurring of what was right and wrong. She remembered how she saw Lotor. It was bad enough, seeing him so hurt, so miserable in his body, but then to see the treatment that he had recieved. Amalgamus didn't help matters much either. He knew what had went on in the prison system. The prisoners weren't treated as badly as Lotor had been - and then he escaped, only to create more destruction and havoc. His driving desire now was to destroy the Voltron Force and to marry her. Allura sighed. She remember how close she came that night months ago to giving in to him. Try as she might she could not forget his touch, his words, his kiss. If only he would turn from his ways - the way of vengance. It seemed as if he were bent on following the path he had followed long ago. Allura's mouth tightened. If anyone made Lotor what he was today, it was his father, Zarkon. She sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She rather wished she hadn't picked out this dress to wear this evening. It was more revealing (although not indecent) than she was used to.She could change, but now there wasn't any time. Still, the dress was pretty. It wasn't the black or white that was required. But since she was the hostess, she could wear a different color. She wondered if Keith would notice. Lance certainly would. She hoped he wouldn't embarrass her. The dress was a dark blue velvet that swept the floor gracefully. Her shoulders were bare and the heart-shaped neckline was lower than she was used to, but it wasn't indecent. It was the type of dress an adult would wear. Frankly she was sick of the pink frocks she used to favor. Nanny would just have to get used to it. She heard a knock on the door. She knew it would be one of the maids informng her that the guests were arriving. She sighed and hoped she could get through this evening.... Zarkon was laughing with some senior GG officers over some joke that one of them had told the group. Of course Zarkon had heard the joke before - it wasn't even funny the first time - but he laughed, the hail and hearty man of fortune. He looked about the interior of the Castle of Lions and remembered the last time he was within these walls. He remembered his arguement with Alfor, and his encounter with Allura. They had both been so stubborn! And now, here he was, the honored stateman of the Alliance, being thrown a ball! Oh, it was too funny! He knew Allura had been pressured into doing this by Alliance and GG officials - she wouldn't have done it herself. It would be amusing to watch her through the evening, trying to be civil to him. Oh, he would be charming and gallant to her and she would hate every minute of it! Perhaps he would dance with her! That would make her friends take notice! Oh, he would have a wonderful time this evening especially if all went well. Now that he was head of the Security Council, he could make his move. As for Lotor, he would still be useful as a time as a terror of the Galaxy. When his usefulness was through, then he would kill him. He saw the men of the Voltron Force, standing around the stairwell and thought that it would be a simple matter to control them, since they were a part of the GG system. Zarkon repressed a smile. Volron would then be his to do as he wished. Ah, to have it all again - the power over life and death. The screams of agony as his enemies died..he would have it again. He glanced around again, seeing all the officials standing around. Pompous fools, all of them! They wouldn't even be decent roebeast fodder! Thinking of roebeasts made him think of Hagar. He smiled. She had contacted him. He knew she would sometime. She could not stay away from him, for she loved him. He knew that. He knew that from the time she had first lain with him so long ago. It was what kept her faithful, by his side, even when he didn't desire her anymore. She would help him this night. Impatiently, he waited. He mingled around and circulated amongst the crowd. It was good to know that he had not lost his charm. People felt sorry that he had such an unrepenitent son! He was the noble suffering father. How little they knew! He wanted to laugh whenever his name was linked to King Alfor's! Speaking of which - where was Princess Allura? He glanced up at the staircase and there she was - attired in royal blue. She looked striking as she always did. He went forward to meet her, as he was the guest of honor. He bowed regally, took her hand and kissed it, his lips lingering a second too long. He raised up, still holding her hand. He said, "Princess, it is an honor to be here in the Castle of Lions.." Allura's eyes flashed. An honor! After all the times he had tried to destroy it! She wanted to tell him where to put his empty compliments but she could not. She pasted a smile upon her face and said, "I welcome you, and congratulate you on your appointment.." Zarkon smiled and said, "Such a compliment from one so beautiful warms my heart, Princess. " He saw the look of revulsion cross her eyes briefly. He wanted to laugh at her distress. He started to caress the palm of her hand and idly thought about the time she had briefly been his slave. A missed opportunity that was. Her hands were soft to his touch. He could imagine them on him. He smirked. He wanted to shock her as he did that day in the garden so long ago - just to see the fear in her eyes, but he knew he could not - at least not now. Still, he loved playing this game with her, with all of them. In a way, he would miss it Allura frowned slightly. She noticed with distaste that he caressed her hand. She drew it away gently, even though what she really felt like doing was slap his face! He bowed again to her and said, "Your Highness.." She nodded coolly said, "Zarkon.." To her consternation he said, "Please, Princess. Call me Z'aale - that is my given name..after all, we are all friends here, are we not?" It took all her strength not to bolt out of the room in disgust! She said, "Some are, some are not..."Z'aale." - please excuse me, I must see to my other guests.." He bowed, grinning at her knowingly. He said, "Of course, my dear.." He saw her walk off, her body stiff with indignation. Later, the ball was in full swing. Allura was enjoying the dancing. For a time she even forgot Zarkon's prescence. He was glad-handing with the GG brass as he seemed to always do. She was able to enjoy the evening. She was even able to dance with the guys, although Keith seemed to watch Zarkon out of the corner of his eyes, and couldn't relax. She was taking a breather from the dancing, talking to one of the Alliance council members, when to her surprise, Zarkon came up to them, his black garbed figure regal and elegant. He bowed to her slightly and said, "Excuse me, princess, but I believe I have not had the honor of a dance with you." Allura was shocked. He wanted to dance with her? She felt like telling him to go dance with a roebeast! Then she noticed the Alliance councilman looking at her expectantly. She knew there had been talk of her and the Voltron Force not really accepting Zarkon at face value. If she refused to even dance with Zarkon, she would make Arus a scapegoat for Alliance critisism. Already there had been so much pressure to accept him. Allura looked at him somberly and said, "I believe you are right, Zarkon.." and without another word, he took her arm and looped it around his. To her consternation, she noticed everyone watching. It made her want to drop off the face of the planet! But she had to do this. She walked a tightrope of public opinion - and she didn't like it a bit..She noticed that as he led her out on the floor, his hand was clamped over hers. She wished he would stop that. His very touch made her shiver. Zarkon smiled as he led her out on the floor. The music - which was a slow waltz was easy to dance to. He was thankful he remembered how to dance! It would not be good to make a fool of himself. His hand gripped her waist and he maintained the proper distance between them but he could tell that she did not want to be anywhere near him - especially this close. He was enjoying her obvious discomfort. He decided to make some conversation. He said smoothly, "Well, Princess, I must commend you, everything here is certainly beautiful..." She said stiffly, "Thank you, Zarkon.." He looked into her eyes and said reprovingly, "My dear princess, please..you must call me Z'aale, I insist.." She said, "Perhaps I do not wish to.." He feigned a hurt look in his eyes. "I never knew you could be so cruel, princess..after all, I only desire to be your friend..I can do much for Arus - let me make up for what Lotor has done to you.." Allura was getting angry at him. How dare he? What Lotor had done? If Lotor had done anything, it was because he was behind it! She was so angry she did not notice that he had waltzed her towards the edge of the ballroom, where the greenery was. He could see how angry she was at him and enjoyed seeing her westle with her anger.He decided to fan the flames a little more. He abruptly changed the subject and said, "May I say that you look absolutely ravishing tonight, Princess?" Allura's eyes flashed with disgust but she held on to her temper. She said, "Please, don't flatter me.." He smiled and said, "Nonsense. I speak the truth my dear." To her shock, he drew her close and whispered in her ear, "Tell me, my dear..are you this beautiful all over? You must be..." She gasped in shock as gently kissed her ear. She saw to her humiliation, that people had seen him do that! She saw that they were already whispering. Allura blushed with embarrasment. Zarkon merely laughed softly and said, "Forgive a lonely man, princess..I have been alone so long - your beauty.." he trailed off and whispered in her ear, "arouses me.." Allura pulled away in total shock! How dare he insult her so! Zarkon was gratified to see the shock and embarrassment in her eyes. She spat out, "How dare you?" He chucked softly and said, "Now, now Allura, my dear, don't make a scene - all of our friends are watching us..Perhaps they think we're in love.." he chuckled. He wattzed her around the floor and she hissed, "I will te- " He cut her off with a gentle laugh. "Would they believe you? Arus has a reputation for intolerance now. I am the savior of this Galaxy, my dear I can do no wrong!" He waltzed her over to where a column hid them from view. She felt fear for the first time in three years - deep in the pit of her stomach. He stopped and leaned against her on the pillar. She said, "Let me go.." He said softly, "No. Listen to me, dear. I have changed. You and your friends must accept that and go forward." She said fiercely. "You killed my father!" He said, "Yes, I did and I have paid for that sin everyday of my life, dear Allura." She did not believe him and he knew it. Still he pressed on. " I only wish to be your friend, Allura..that is my only desire..I have helped many and I can help you - if you are willing to receive my help."Allura looked at him contempously. "I don't want to owe you anything, Zarkon! Arus will get along fine without your help. Now let me go!" He smiled and said,"I only wish to make up for the terrible things I've done in the past, my dear. You cannot go against the tide of public opinion - no matter what station you are in." He pulled away and waltzed her out on the floor again. Allura was so angry at him, for what he said was true. Still, she could not forget when they brought her father home - what she had seen. She just couldn't believe that Zarkon had really changed. His acts of generosity were just that - acts. There was no love behind them, even if he did them with a smile. Even Lotor, behind his selfishness and cruelty showed more love than Zarkon ever did in the times he saved her from death, defying his father openly. No, this man dancing with her was not who he appeared. He continued to dance with her, his hand about her waist burning through her dress. It seemed that this dance was taking forever. She hoped he wouldn't speak to her again, but her hopes were dashed when she saw his eyes glitter with speculation. Zarkon appraised her again. He knew his words did not change her mind about him.He didn't really care. She had to go with the tide of opinion. She had no choice. As they danced, he let his eyes flicker downward at the expanse of bare shoulder, following it down to her chest. She was quite comely - very much so. Gad, he had been alone too long, trying to keep the appearance of a moral man.He was never as promiscuous as his son had been, but he was in all respects, a man. In his frustration, he gripped her waist even more tightly until she gasped in pain.He quickly loosened his grip a little and said, "Forgive me, my dear.." His fingertips caressed her waist. She said nothing, only glared at him. He said softly, "It is a suprise that you haven't wed yet, my dear..I would think you would have by now." She said coolly, "Whether I wed or not is none of your business." He chuckled and said, "Hmm..you need to, my dear.." Then to her horror, he whispered, "The touch of a man would benifit you greatly, I think..." She gasped and said, "Take me back, Zarkon. I wish no more of this - this dance!" He smiled and said in an insinuating tone, "Yes, I do think I would like to take you, my dear.." He whispered again, "It would be a delightful experience for the both of us..." Her eyes flashed in indignation and anger. She did not like his implied meaning.He merely chuckled and waltzed her back to where she had been with the Alliance council member. She saw that Keith was there instead - a look of anger on his face.Zarkon gracefully let her go, but before he did, he said intimately, "If there is anything you need, my dear. All you need do is ask.." She said, "I need nothing from you." She pulled away and stood beside Keith.Zarkon simply smiled and bowed to her. "Your servant, Princess.." and he walked off, a grin of delight upon his face. The evening went on and Allura had no more close encounters with Zarkon. He seemed to stay away from her, which was good. For the rest of the night, she stayed near Keith, who seemed to sense that something was wrong, but didn't press her. Finally, it was soon time for people to leave. Some guests who came from far away were to stay at the Castle. To her relief, Zarkon wasn't one of them. Many of the guests were getting ready to leave. Allura stayed in the ballroom, chatting with some departing guests. She noticed nervously that Zarkon was still about, chatting with Coran, of all people. Coran didn't look so thrilled about it either. She had just stiffled a yawn when the sound of a comotion outside alerted her. Suddenly, through the doors came Lotor! She saw him and their eyes locked. He smiled. His men ran through the room, firing upon the remaining guests. Everyone was running. It was mass confusion. She saw Keith fighting with Lotor and started to run towards them, fearing that Lotor would use his strength to kill Keith. She screamed, "Lotor, no!!" Lotor heard her voice and turned towards her. Keith took advantage of that and decked him. Allura didn't see the rest of their fight for she was grabbed from behind. She screamed as a large hand clapped over her mouth. She heard a familar voice whisper. "I'm sorry, my dear. I must do this for your protection..." She thought ..Zarkon.. and then everything went black.