After the Fall...Doom -
it stood for awhile - empty, devoid of life. It's ruined castle a monument to cruelty and evil - much like the ancient concentration camps of the Germany of Earth. To many former slaves, the name of Doom had the same association that the ancient Teran Hebrews had with the names of Treblinka or Bergen-Belsen.However, Doom was not dead - merely lost, awaiting it's owner's return. In the long time that the planet had been in existence, this waiting was but a moment in time - a mere second.
One day, the master did return - more powerful and more bent to evil than ever. He was accompanied by his old witch and to the suprise of many, his rebellious son. In Zarkon's absence, his Empire did not fall apart, but only gave the sembelance of it. There were many in the Quadrant who had profited from Zarkon's rule. They did not want the Alliance's reign upon them, and so the triumphant King returned, rebuilt his Castle and proceeded to wreak havoc on the Denubian Galaxy again...
Of course, his enemies, mainly on Arus, fought him and his son resumed his pursuit of the princess.It was as he expected. Zarkon allied himself with many - most notably Queen Merla, whom he had a brief affair with. Hagar did not like her, and he knew she was glad when he ended the affair. Merla had been too calculating for his tastes. At one point, he had married her to Lotor, but he was still besotted with the princess, and the marriage ended quickly. To Zarkon's knowledge, Lotor had never even touched Merla to consumate their marriage. His son was truly bewitched. Zarkon had imprisoned him, tortured him, but he would not relent in his love for that wench. Nothing would sway him. Stubborn! He would persist and be destroyed!
..After the Fleet of Doom disaster....
And then...his son's ship exploded in a burst of flames and light. Zarkon had stood there horrified, is his ship, watching his hope die in the flames. His witch Hagar was gone - in some other dimension, lost to him. His forces were being defeated by the combined Voltron forces. He knew his Empire was falling down around him. He searched his heart and thought that he perhaps he was wrong in his pursuits...but then he saw Voltron - the source of his defeat! What would be his fate now? To rot in an Alliance prison? He knew that they would not execute him - they would keep him alive - rehabilitate him.
Zarkon's eyes narrowed and he banged his fists upon the console. He ignored his officers rushing about in panic.No! He would not! He could not!! He was not meant for this defeat! To go down and beome just another old rambling man, withering in prison, bragging of his past victories. He could not let his dream die like this!
As his eyes watched his son's ship burn, he knew what he must do. He must survive in this new world. He would remake himself - become a new man. He had a fortune hidden away. He could use it. He would survive. He had to. His son was no more and even if he survived, he would be of no use to him. The only thing that worried Zarkon was the location of Lotor's weaponery base. If his son survived, would he reveal it? The Alliance knew of it, but not where it was. He knew it's exact location, but seeing that everything had gone to hell, he certainly wouldn't reveal it. If his son survived, then he would take the fall. Zarkon's eyes narrowed. Yes. He deserved it. He had failed him too many times and he had nearly destroyed all he had worked for. Zarkon smiled grimly. He would survive this..he would.
Pain. Intense pain. Light. Flames. Explosion. He could not believe his ship had been so vulnerable, but it was hit and his world went down in flames. He felt as if his entire body were on fire. His thoughts were racing, at first alternating between anger and desperation. No one. There was no one who would avenge him. No one who cared should he die. Except one. His lips parted and they whispered, "Allura..." Did she hear within that monstrousity of a robot? Did she watch his ship go down and weep for him? If she did, she was the only one who did. His father would not. She was the closest he had ever came to having love in his life, and now - now there was no chance. He felt like he was going to die, his body hurt so. Still..perhaps a miracle would occour..Admist the flaming wreakage, he felt for a button upon his console. Finally, he felt it and pushed it, his vision threating to black out. He smiled. No one would get Castle Doom now and destroy it. It would be safe - safe in space, enclosed in it's dome. No one would have it - not his father or the Alliance. This last task done, he relaxed and thought of her and wondered, as his thoughts drifted into unconsciousness if she thought of him..When the Alliance medteam brought him out, his lips whispered the name, "Allura.." and then he was silent. That was the last word he would speak for three years....
She saw his ship go down from Blue Lion and gasped at the force of the explosion though his ship. Although she knew she should rejoice that this enemy was at last defeated, her heart wept for him, for she knew he loved her, even though he had tried to force it upon her. He was her great passion, even though it was wrong. Tears came to her eyes. Oh why, oh why did it have to be this way? All this carnage, heartbreak, and ruin? There would be peace now, for Zarkon had surrendered. He had willingly surrendered and they had all watched with astonishment when he had ran to the meds carrying the ruin of Lotor out of his ship. They had seen tears - actual tears come from his eyes and heard him swear that if Lotor lived, he would dedicate his life to peace. But for Allura, there was no peace. Her heart was torn in two, and she could not discuss it with anyone, no one would understand. She turned her comm off and wept scalding tears. She did not know if it was for herself or for him, but she wept anyway, wishing that she could be comforted and knowing she could not....