"Doom Reborn"
In the aftermath of the attack at the Castle of Lions, Lotor had very nearly killed Keith Akira, trying to get to Allura, but at the last minute, Akira had taken advantage of his distraction and had him down. Suddenly, Lotor saw Allura grabbed from behind by familar hands - his father!
Lotor forgot about Akira, forgot about everyone except Allura. He tossed everyone aside - he heard a crack! as Akira hit the wall - he hoped he killed him, but he had no time to check. He had to get Allura!
He ran in the direction they went in. No one. It was as if they vanished in thin air! Lotor's eyes narrowed. Perhaps they did - by way of Hagar. Had she contacted his father? She must have without his knowing. Tratorious witch! He needed to get back to Castle Doom and try to find out where Allura was. He didn't trust his father with her.
Lotor saw the guards coming and even though he knew he could smash their bodies easily, he had to get out of here. He left with two of the Voltron lions in pursuit - Green and Yellow Lion. Lotor grimaced. Let them come - he would take care of them.
Zarkon walked with Allura in his arms into Castle Doom - now anchored properly on Doom where it was supposed to be. He smiled and took a deep breath. Ah, he was back home now. No more foolishness.
He walked to his throne room - ah, everything was as it should be. Hagar did a good job of fixing things the way he liked them. Zarkon heard a beep from his portable comm - an incoming message from Amalgamus. Fortunately, his comm was a hands-free one. He chuckled. He had his hands quite full at the moment.
He said, "Zarkon here.."
The metallic voice of Amalgamus came through. "Sire, I wish to report on the situation at the Castle of Lions.."
"Then do so, my frend.."
Amalgamus said, "Your son and his forces did much damage. There were many wounded - most notably, Commander Keith Akira - he has a severe concusion and is in a coma as we speak.."
Zarkon's eyes glittered. "Good.." Then he frowned, " I do not want someone to replace him - what about the pilot on Pollux?"
Amalgamus said, "He had an "accident" on Pollux today. He is not expected to live. If he does, it will be too late, sire."
Zarkon laughed. "Well done, my friend! Hagar centainly knew what she was doing when she made you. What about the other Force members?"
Amalgamus, in his dry voice said, "Green and Yellow Lion are in pursuit of your son. I have not given orders for them to cut off their pursuit. Should I?"
Zarkon said, "No. He will do me a favor and rid me of them. At any rate, he will keep them busy for a time. My son must not get here until I desire it. What about the Red Lion?"
Amalgamus actually seemed to sigh. "Red Lion's pilot is a bit of a renagade. His manner has been unpredictable as of late. I know that he had words with Commander Akira earlier in the evening and left the festivities."
Zarkon said, "Hmm..a rebel..perhaps he could be useful to me..perhaps not. We shall see. And the prime minister?"
The robot android seemed to pause and he said, "He is of course, worried over the princess. No one saw the princess disappear. Naturally he believes it is your son. Shall I dispatch Alliance troops in key locations, sire?"
Zarkon said, "Yes, Amalgamus. Send them to the planets that support my son - they are my former holdings, after all. Let them believe they are fighting Lotor's forces - the drugs are in their systems?"
The robot said, "Yes, sire. I introduced them into the GG/Alliance dietary supplements six months ago. They will willingly follow orders."
Zarkon said, "Good..you know what else to do, Amalgamus. Keep me posted on my son's whereabouts and Akira's condition - should he die, I will throw a party."
Amalgamus said, "Ah, a celebration."
Zarkon said impatiently, "Yes, yes! Go about your duties. I must go. " He looked down at Allura and smirked. "I must put a princess to bed.."
Amalgamus said, "Yes sire. As you wish." And the comm went dead.
Zarkon smiled and walked up to where his throne sat, still carrying the princess. He sat down with her in his lap and looked about. Soon, soon his throne room would be filled again with his subjects, bowing to him, begging him for any crumb of a favor. Perhaps he could put some wall decorations in here. The Voltron Force members would be a good start. Hagar could preserve them. He chuckled and looked down at Allura. As for the princess, she was his pawn - his hostage of fortune. She would lead his son here and she would keep any rebellions at bay, should anyone seek to subvert his plans.
He noticed with interest that the princess' hair had come undone from her pins. He could not resist. He placed his hand in it and caressed it. Hmm..very nice..He bent and kissed her mouth. Soft..very tempting...
At that moment he was interupted by a familar voice. "Sire..I see you brought the princess.."
He noted the tinge of jealousy in her voice. He straightened up and said, "Yes, Hagar. I did. She will be useful to me.."
Hagar had the audacity to spat, "Oh? I didn't know you were in the market for a bedwench!"
His eyes narrowed and he said, "Don't make your snide comments to me, Hagar! What I do with her is none of your business! "
The witch said, "I brought you here, sire! Surely that deserves something!"
Zarkon laughed and said, "Oh? And what do you deserve, Hagar? A turn in my chambers? You know I no longer desire you that way - I never will."
Hagar cried, "I have served you faithfully - most of the time..I can be any woman you wish!"
Zarkon sneered, "I would still know it's you!" Hagar's eyes narrowed. Of course he would know.
She said, "I don't have to help you, sire! I can ruin you!"
To her consternation, he ran his hand through the princess' hair and said, "Do you think I would have kept you around, dear Hagar, if I couldn't keep you in line? I know your weakness. I know the spell.."
Hagar tried to bluff. "There is no spell.." Zarkon said, "Oh yes there is, dear witch! I knew it long ago when I picked you up from that miserable mudhole of a planet. You cast it yourself, old witch - remember Zandaan? Remember the Dark Stone?"
Hagar actually gasped. "No!"
Zarkon got up from his throne with the princess in his arms and started to walk down the steps. He looked at her face and softly said, "I have that stone, Hagar. Didn't you ever wonder what had happened to it?"
"Yes, but you - distracted me.." she said, remembering. Oh gods, she hoped he was bluffing about the spell..if it was what she thought it was..
He laughed. "Oh yes, I did! You wondered just where I came from and you suspected but I took your mind off of those trivial matters didn't I?"
Hagar clenched her fists, angry. He deserved what he got and she was going to - His words suddenly cut off her thoughts.
"HagarE'tch'aa ysi'ee....Aysha'...dia'..."
The witch cried, "No!"
Zarkon smiled, "I've cast the spell, Hagar - one more word and it is sealed. You will lose every scrap of power you have. You will be just another dried up old woman, do you hear me? I have the Dark Stone where you cannot sense it, so don't try to find it."
He had made it down the stairs with the Princess and said with a grin, "Now then. You don't want to lose your power, do you? It all that substains you, isn't it?" Then he said, "After all, Hagar. You love me, don't you? You don't want to see me rot in prison, do you? You cannot destroy me, can you?"
Hagar trembled. "No, I cannot." His eyes narrowed. "You better mean that Hagar" He smiled slyly. "I will tell you what, old witch. Would you like Arus to rule? You would have many subjects for your experiments - perhaps if I let the Voltron Force live, you may have them. Perhaps you would be interested in one as a personal slave? You do know what I mean?"
Hagar actually cackled. "Yes, sire. I do..I do.." Hagar knew what side to be on. She may not be able to have the one she loved, but for entertainment, another would do. The secrets of the Castle of Lions would be hers at last! However, she would have to watch her step with him. if he said the final word of the spell, her powers would be gone. She knew she could destroy him, but she could not bear to. She would go mad if something happened to him. For now, she would go along with him. She had to.
Zarkon said, "Now, Hagar. if you will excuse me. I must put our "guest" to bed."
Hagar's eyes narrowed in jealousy slightly. Zarkon laughed. "Now, now! Hagar! You're turning positively green! " He frowned. "You know what to do. Do not let my son find this place for awhile. I want him running scared for awhile. Good night, Hagar.."
She departed to her lab and tried to disregard the pangs of jealousy that assailed her. She tried to think about his promise for her to rule Arus. It would be interesting if he went through with it. As for the pilots, the only ones that had ever appealed to her was the Captain and his second-in-command. The one on Pollux wasn't bad either. Still, the one she loved most of all was the one she wanted. Perhaps she could still have him if she did as he asked. She knew she would have to watch her step with him, but she waited this long - she could wait a little more.