Hagar and her blue robeast met Yurak in the desert. He ordered his robots to project a beam at the robeast to increase its size. While the VF was fighting with the robeast, Allura, Coran and Dr. Gorma bid farewell to Sven. His stint as pilot of Blue lion had been a brief one, but he had proven to be an excellent fighter. He was surely going to be missed.

   Afterwards the princess returned to the castle. She entered her bedroom and locked the door. She then glanced at the key on her hands and shivered. “Maybe I’m making a big mistake, but I have to protect my people from Zarkon”. She placed the key on her jewelry case and then went to her closet. She rummaged through some boxes. She took out a white box decorated with the crest of Arus. It was a uniform similar to the ones used by the VF but with pink accents. Her father gave it to her for a masquerade party a few years ago. King Alfor would have never imagined in his wildest dreams, that she would use it to be part of the Voltron Force.

CHAPTER 6

   The princess was waiting for Keith in the observatory room. She heard him come in and wiped her tears. “Ally – are you Ok?” he said while extending his arms to her. She walked toward him and embraced him. “Yes – it’s just that I didn’t expect to see Sven like that. He was in so much pain” she said while resting her head on his chest. He stroked her beautiful golden hair. “He’s going to be all right” he said with a reassuring voice. “Yes, I know”. They sat down on a bench. “While you were fighting that robeast, Coran, Dr. Gorma and I accompanied Sven to his shuttle”. He winced. “We wanted to say goodbye to him, but we had to fight that robeast”. The four lions had a tough time with the robeast. It managed to corner the lions on a cliff. They couldn’t escape from because down below there was a lava pit. “I don’t want to go in. It looks very hot!” Hunk spat. “Don’t worry – I’ll do it” Lance began, “My lion was in a lava pit when we found the keys”. “What’s your plan Lance?” Keith asked. He lured the robeast to follow him, while the other lions would sneak up behind them and send them into the pit. Seconds later Lance came out, his plan had worked to perfection. But would they be able to repeal another attack without forming Voltron?

   Keith tipped her face up to his. “You look tired” he said smiling softly at her. She reached up and stroked his face with her slim fingers. “You too. Why don’t you rest?”. He sighed. “I can’t” he said, catching her hand and kissing first the palm, then the wrist. He clasped her fingers and stayed them over his heart. “I have to go back to the control room with Coran. We have to prepare another message for the Alliance”. She blinked. “What are you going to tell them?”. He grimaced. “That we need a replacement for Sven”. She winced slightly. “But the communications were cut off because of the meteor shower” she said. “That’s right. But Pidge found a way to sent a message to Terra, and they replied a few minutes ago”.

   “Oh…that’s wonderful” she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. “Well – I’m going to bed. Good night” she said and kissed him gently on the lips. She tried to stand up, but he wouldn’t let go of her hand. “Give me back my hand, my love” she said softly. Smiling at her, he released her, but no before kissing the palm on it once again. “Don’t worry Ally, we’ll find a way to solve this”. She nodded. “I know” she said, before turning to leave him. He felt something wasn’t right, but then shook his head. “Must be my imagination” he said.

CHAPTER 7

   It was almost dawn when Allura entered the empty control room. She was wearing her pink uniform. She walked up to the console, and pressed the button for the portals. She quickly stepped back, and the console raised from the floor and the five portals appeared before her. She took a deep breath. “This is for you Sven” she said and then entered the portal and swung into the transit system, in a matter of seconds she reached Blue lion. She placed the key in its special socket and the lion came to life. She hesitated for a few moments. “Father - I need your guidance. I have to prove to myself and the others that I can be part of the team”.

   A few hours later, a lone figure in a boat was crossing the Castle Lake. The figure arrived to the castle and entered through a secret door, and the alarm went off. Keith woke up. ”Something is wrong” he said and jumped out of bed. Lance came out of his room. “Yurak is back” he said. Keith left his room and met Lance in the hallway.  “Are you ready Lance?”. “Ready Keith” he replied while putting on his jacket. Keith then entered Pidge’s room. “Pidge – wake up!”. He opened his eyes and released a yawn. “Uh huh” he said while reaching for his glasses. They joined Lance in the hallway. “Let’s go and investigate” Keith said. They were heading to the control room when they saw someone coming their way. Keith frowned. “Who goes there?” he asked. The figure chuckled softly. “Who are you?” Lance asked. There was no response. “OK – YOU ASKED FOR IT! PREPARE TO FIGHT!” Pidge exclaimed and launched out at the intruder. “POW!”. A brown purse and a black suitcase came crashing to the floor. Suddenly they heard sobs coming from the intruder.

   Keith widened his eyes. “It’s a woman!” he gasped. “Could be a disguise” Lance said and lowered down onto his haunches and grabbed the woman by her lapels. “Didn’t they teach you how to treat a lady?” she cried, “I’m the royal governess!”. Lance winced and released her. “She’s a woman all right” he began, “Hey – she must be the nanny the princess talked to us about”. “Could be” Keith said. Coran came running towards them. “What’s all this noise? I heard the alarm!” he said and stopped dead on his tracks. He glanced at the woman. “Who are you?” he asked. He then did a double take and widened his eyes. “Nanny! Nanny! It’s so nice to see you” he said while helping her to stand up. She whimpered softly. “Master Coran thank you for coming to my rescue”.

   “What happened?” he asked. “I heard Voltron was back, so I decided to return to the castle” she said. Pidge rolled his eyes. “I thought she was a witch” he quipped. She glared at him. “How dare you?! I’m going to teach you a lesson”. “Nanny – these are Keith, Lance and Pidge. They’re here to protect this kingdom”.

   “This kingdom? These ruffians are under the princess’s orders? They attack defenseless people without asking questions. They deserve a beating!”. She cried and covered her eyes, and started to sob anew. Coran grimaced and patted her back. “Nanny – calm down, I’m sure you’re going to like them…someday. You must stay, the princess needs her royal governess”.

   She lowered her hands and smiled. “Yes Coran, thank you. I came back to work. I’m going to be like her mother”. Lance sighed. “First she’s crying, now she’s happy, please lady - make up your mind!”. Pidge grimaced. “I’m glad she isn’t my mother” Pidge said. She glared at him. “I heard that! I’m going to teach you some manners”. Keith and Lance stepped back very slowly and then ran away. ”Good night Nanny” Pidge said and made a quick exit. The boys managed to escape from Nanny’s wrath. They stopped to catch their breath. “A governess…I guess she’s like…a teacher” Lance said. “I suppose…Allura loves her” Keith said. Pidge smiled. “I like her…but I want her to stay…away from me” he said.

   Allura was flying above the forest. She keyed a code into Blue, then scanned the surrounding area. She pulled back on the lion’s yoke and shot straight up into the air. She smiled. “This isn’t so hard after all”. She punched another code and suddenly the ship began to lose altitude. “What is happening?” she said nervously. She continued punching other codes, but the ship didn’t respond. “I’m going to crash on those trees!” she began, “Help! Help!” she screamed.

   The alarm went off again. Keith, Lance and Pidge came running into the control room. Keith sat in front of the console and pressed a button. “Come on Keith – let’s go and investigate!” Lance said. “Not yet. I want to know what we’re dealing with”. They looked at the view screen and saw Blue lion flying erratically. “Someone took Blue lion” Keith said. “But who?” Lance asked. “Could be…” Keith began, “Argghh!” Allura shouted. They widened their eyes in disbelief, ”Oh my God!” Keith gasped. Coran came running into the room. “It’s the princess! That girl is going to kill me! I knew she was going to pull a stunt like this!”. He pressed a button, and the princess appeared on the screen. “Princess – please come back!” Coran said. “No Coran – I have to practice. They need me to form Voltron”.

   Nanny entered the control room, spear on hand {very becoming}. “This is all your fault!” she said. Lance turned around and grimaced. “Shit!” he whispered loudly. He tapped Keith lightly on his shoulder. “What?”. Lance nodded towards the governess. Keith looked back and winced. He then tapped Pidge on his shoulder. “Pidge – I don’t want you to get upset but…” he trailed off. Pidge turned to him. “Huh?” he said and looked back. “Yikes!”.

   “Why are you letting her do your work? Don’t answer! Just bring me back the princess!” she demanded. “Let’s go team!” Keith said. Coran nodded and pressed the button for the portals. But the boys didn’t step off quickly from the console and went flying into the air. They recovered quickly and disappeared down their respective portals.

   Allura was getting desperate. “I don’t know what to do!” she exclaimed.  The lions found her minutes later. “Allura – this is Keith…can you hear me?”. She whimpered. “I can’t…”. He groaned softly. “Princess – please answer”. She could see the ground coming at her very quickly. “I hear you! I hear you!” she screamed. “Everything is going to be all right. Open your eyes” Keith said with a reassuring voice. “I can’t see!” she cried.

   Nanny frowned. “She doesn’t know anything about flying! She’s going to get herself killed” she spat. Keith appeared on the view screen of castle control. “LADY – BE QUIET!” he ordered. Nanny grimaced. “How dare you speak to me like that?!”. Allura gasped. “Nanny! He’s my…” she began, “Princess - that’s not important right now. Just follow my orders. Press the red button on the left” Keith said. She gazed at the controls and pressed that button and the managed to reduce her speed. “I did it!” she said. “Well done princess. Now gently pull the red lever on your left”. She grabbed the lever and pulled. But she was getting very close to a mountain. “She’s going to crash!” Nanny screamed. Allura widened her eyes and pulled the lever, and skipped the mountain. She managed to descend to safety, followed by the other lions. Keith released a sigh of relief. Lance shook his head. “I don’t know how…but she did it” he said. “Great job princess!” Pidge said.

   Keith climbed out from the hatch of Black lion and ran to Blue. He jumped in and saw Allura resting on the console. He winced and walked up to her. He took her in his arms and said, “Ally – what were you thinking?”. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Keith” she breathed. They came out of the ship. Lance and Pidge were waiting for them. “Lance – I’m taking the princess back to the castle”. Lance nodded slowly. “Ok skipper. We’ll take care of Blue” he said. Keith took the princess to her chambers and gingerly laid her onto the bed. He wanted to stay with her, but Nanny ushered him out. “Go now, I’ll take care of her” she ordered. He was about to give her a piece of his mind, but then decided it wasn’t the right time.

CHAPTER 8
A few hours later…

   Keith and rest of the VF were waiting for news about the princess. “What is taking them so long?” Keith said nervously. Lance smiled mischievously at him. “Take it easy mon ami. Your princess isn’t that fragile”. Keith ran a hand through his hair and groaned. “First Sven, then this crabby governess, and now Ally takes Blue. What’s next?”. Hunk frowned. “Damn! I missed all the excitement. But I needed my beauty sleep”. Pidge snickered at him. ”Well Hunk, I’ve got news for you…it didn’t work”. Hunk glared at him. “Very funny!” he replied. “Where did she get that uniform?” Keith asked. “Coran told me that it was gift from her father. She used it for masquerade party” Lance answered.

   Coran came out of her room. “The princess is resting comfortably. You can come in now” he said. They entered the bedroom. Keith walked up to her bed and kissed her on the forehead. She opened her blue eyes and looked into his dark ones. “Keith…what happened?”. He smiled softly at her. “You took Blue lion for a ride, and we had to rescue you” he replied. She smiled. “Oh yes! Now I remember”. She jumped from the bed, wincing at the cold marble beneath her feet. Keith reached for her hand. “Ally - where do you think you’re going?”. She blinked at him. “I have to practice”. Coran frowned. “But your highness – you can’t be serious”. She quirked an eyebrow. “Coran – I must take Sven’s place while he’s in Ebb, you can’t stop me” she declared.

   “BUT I CAN!”.

   Allura whirled around and saw the royal governess standing at the door with murder in her eyes. “Nanny – what are you doing here?” she said in a small voice. “I heard it was safe to return to the castle. And I am glad to be back, because you need some discipline”. Allura pouted. “Nanny – I’m not a child anymore!”. “You’re behaving like one! What is all this about becoming a member of the Voltron Force?” she demanded to know. Keith and the rest were enjoying their exchange. Pidge couldn’t stop laughing and covered his mouth. Lance smiled wickedly. “I think the princess is gonna get a beating” he whispered to Hunk. “I think you’re right” he replied.

   “I can’t let you risk your life. I’m going to my village, to find a brave and intelligent man for the job”. “But Nanny – you don’t have to do that. I can be a princess and a member of the Voltron Force”. “Allura! Your place is in the castle! You can forget about flying Blue lion”.

   Allura turned to Keith. “Keith – I need your help” she pleaded. Keith swallowed hard and hesitated for a few moments. “Allura…we have to talk about this”. Nanny walked up to him and pointed an accusing finger at him. “You and your friends are a bad influence on her. YOU don’t have any right to call by her first name. She’s a princess and you’re only a SPACE EXPLORER”. Keith glared at the governess. ~Who does she think she is?~.

   “Wow! She has hit a nerve on our fearless leader!” Lance whispered loudly.

   “Well – what do you have to say for yourself - captain?” Nanny taunted. He scowled furiously at her. “If ALLURA wants to fly Blue lion, I’ll teach her” he said harshly. Nanny and Coran widened their eyes. “WHAT???”. Allura squealed with delight and ran to him and covered his face with kisses. “Oh Keith! Thank you! I love you so much!”. He embraced her and smiled mischievously at Nanny. ~That will teach her~.

   “Take your hands away from my baby! You…you…SCOUNDREL!” she spat. Coran rolled his eyes. “Nanny! That’s enough! Keith is her fiancé!” he said. Nanny turned to him. “Coran! Why didn’t you tell me this before? How could you permit this atrocity?”. He groaned. “Nanny - It’s a long story, but rest assured, they have King Alfor’s blessing” he replied wearily. She shook her head. “He’s not worthy of her…the nerve! But what can we expect from a commoner!” she sneered. Keith glared at her. “Ma’am, I might be a commoner, but I love her deeply and I would die for her”. He then smiled down at the princess and said, “Besides I need a pilot for Blue lion, and Ally can be that pilot, with the right training”. Lance stepped forward. “Yeah – and we’re going to help her…right guys?” he said while glancing at Pidge and Hunk. “Right!” they replied in unison. “THIS IS MUTINY!” Nanny yelled. The princess giggled softly. “Nanny…last I heard a mutiny only happens in the navy and other armed services, and you don’t belong to any of them”. Nanny widened her eyes. “Allura! How dare you speak to me like that! Come here your insolent child!”. She pulled the princess from Keith’s arms, placed her on her ample lap and started spanking her. “Nanny! Let me go! This is so humiliating!” she shouted. “I don’t think King Alfor had this in mind for his daughter. I feel a headache coming up” Coran said while rubbing his forehead. Lance, Hunk and Pidge started laughing hysterically. Keith tried to keep a straight face, but it was impossible and burst out laughing. Allura had gone too far this time. Maybe they were a bad influence on her after all. But the royal governess would have to accept that they were a necessary evil.

INTERLUDE 2
The next morning…

   The VF and their new member had breakfast. Allura was so nervous, but Keith and the rest reassured her that everything was going to be all right. Afterwards they went to the control room. Coran raised the console to reveal the portals leading to the lions.  The princess was first to run to her respective chute and grabbed the bars that would transport her to Blue lion. “I think the princess is eager to start her training” Hunk said. “Yeah! And she didn’t mind the 5am wake up call” Pidge quipped. Keith winced. “I hope I made the right decision. If something should happen to her I would never forgive myself”. “Don’t worry Keith, she’s going to be fine” Lance said. Keith glanced at him and a slow smile appeared on his face. “You’re right. Let’s go” he replied.

   They had a bumpy start. The princess was willing to learn all the flying maneuvers, but she had to admit that the boys were excellent pilots thanks to years of training and sacrifice. Would she able to reach their level someday? Only time will tell…

To Part Three

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