I’m so tired. I had to sit next to Lotor in the royal box of the coliseum to watch the races- all three of them. Don’t get me wrong, I like chariot racing, especially when Avok takes part in them. Chariots are pulled by four horses, and are driven seven times around the ring at extremely high speed. Great skill is needed and sometimes accidents happen, and drivers are often trampled to death. Today we almost lost the driver of the red team; fortunately, he was taken out of the arena just in time.

But what disturbed me the most was the evil glint I saw in Lotor’s eyes, when Maximus lost control of the chariot and was dragged by the horses a few feet before releasing the reins. When I questioned Lotor about it, he said that the driver’s red uniform reminded him of his worst enemy. I wonder whom he was referring to.

For these races there were five teams- black, red, blue, green and yellow, and their fans wore these colors. Lotor placed huge bets on the blue team and won a considerable amount. He laughingly mentioned something about being lucky in cards or any kind of gambling, but unlucky in love.

But that’s hard to believe, considering that he has a harem. I learned about it quite by accident, while I was in Doom. I was on my way to the botanical gardens with Helena, Octavia and Astrid, when we saw a group of scantily dressed young women running toward Lotor’s chambers. I know that in some cultures, princes and kings have harems, even though some of them are married. But here in Pollux, we follow traditional values typical of a conservative society with strong family networks. We are serious about our responsibilities and steadfast in the belief that all Polluxians owe loyalty to family authority and to our God.

After checking tomorrow’s schedule with the steward, I went to my bedroom. Bandor joined me moments later, saying that he couldn’t sleep because of all the excitement.

We stood in front of the open window, gazing at the brilliant constellations. The weather had turned glorious and warm after an early evening shower. I sniffed the tangy salt smell of the sea and enjoyed the wind slapping lightly at my cheeks.

“Since my brother turned into a robeast,” Bandor said thoughtfully, “he doesn’t recognize me. But after he defeats Voltron, he will be a person once again.”

I gazed into his freckled face, and suddenly it glowed. I looked up for the source of that light and saw our twin planet. “Oh look,” I sighed. “That’s Arus. What a beautiful sight.”

Bandor frowned at the celestial spectacle. “By tomorrow we shall have conquered it,” he said in a dismissing tone. “You should be happy.”

“No,” I replied, shaking my head. “War isn’t something to be happy about.”

“Oh yes it is! Lotor promised me that after Avok finishes with Voltron, I would have my own castle.”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, I said, “Don’t believe everything Lotor tells you.”

He grimaced. “Mel! That’s not true. He promised me-“

He suddenly broke off and turned his attention to the door. “What is it?” I asked.

“Someone is in the hallway,” he replied, reaching for his sword. “I’ll go and take a look.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’ll stay here,” he ordered, pressing a button on the control panel. “It’s probably one of Lotor’s soldiers in his watch. But I want to be sure.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”

I stepped out of my sister’s room. I turned to my right and saw a man in the far corner of the hallway; he was about my height, dressed in a pilot’s ornate white and green uniform. He was standing next to an antique armor. The distance between us grew smaller and smaller, until his back made contact with my sword. He cursed softly and immediately raised his arms. Slowly, he turned around and gazed at me, all wide-eyed. He couldn’t be older than sixteen.

“I don’t know who you are, so you better start talking.”

“I don’t know what you want to talk about,” the intruder squeaked. “Why don’t you go first?”

I pointed my sword at him. “Very funny- don’t play dumb with me. You must be a spy!”

“Uh,“ he uttered, his face draining of color.

“Pidge– why did you stop?”

I looked past him and saw a young woman coming toward us, followed by three men; two were of medium built, the third one was heavyset. They also were dressed in pilot’s white uniforms, but ornate in pink, red, blue, and yellow.

I blinked a few times. My God, I must be imagining things, that girl looks just like my sister!

At that precise moment, Romelle appeared in the hallway and said, “Bandor– I couldn’t wait any longer. What’s wrong?”

Romelle and the girl stopped on their tracks, and stared at each other in shock.

“She looks just like Allura’s sister,” the man in yellow said, unable to hide his astonishment.

“Boy! Am I glad I have my glasses on,” the one called Pidge blurted out.

“You must be the Princess of Pollux,” the girl noted.

She gave a quick nod. “I’m Romelle.”

“I’m Princess Allura, of Arus.”

Romelle took a stumbling step backward, her eyes locked upon her reflection. Why didn’t Lotor tell us that my sister and the Princess looked so much alike? This is so weird!

“They’re distant cousins, but the resemblance is amazing,” the one in red remarked.

The other men nodded in agreement, their eyes full of awe.

Allura turned to Romelle. “If there’s going to be peace, we must begin here,” she stated.

I stepped between them and glared at her. “Who said anything about peace?” I asked. “When the battle begins, not even Voltron will be able to save you!”

“You don’t understand, we didn’t come here to fight,” Pidge said.

“Enough talk! All of you are my prisoners!” I shouted, and waved my sword at the Princess. But the guy in yellow leapt forward, yanking the weapon from my hand and throwing me to the floor.

“Ugh!”

“HEY!” He growled, giving me a menacing look. “What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Romelle, between us we can achieve peace,” Princess Allura said desperately, and a tear rolled down her cheek. The pilot in red immediately went to her side, and took control of the situation.

“Your Highness, my name is Keith. I’m the pilot of Black Lion, and leader of the Voltron Force. Please, listen to Princess Allura,” he said urgently. “It’s time to end this animosity between Arus and Pollux.”

“I’m Lance,” the man in blue volunteered. “Pilot of Red Lion. Your family is making a big mistake by joining Zarkon and Lotor. They’re only using you.”

“And I’m Hunk, pilot of Yellow Lion,” the brawny one said, offering me his hand. ”We’re not your enemies. Lotor and his people are.”

Romelle and I just looked at each other. We didn’t know what to think. Could they be telling the truth? Was it possible that Lotor had ulterior motives?

While they were talking, I noticed that Pidge had walked to the window. He looked down and gasped loudly. “Guys!” he said in a tight voice. “I think we’re surrounded.”

I joined him at the window, and realized that it wasn’t our infantry he was talking about. Lotor’s army was sprawled in the courtyard. Witch Hagar stood there, with her blue cat in her arms. Then I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching us quickly. Pidge and I turned around and saw Cossack and his men in the hallway.

“There they are,” his voice a reptilian hiss. “FIRE!”

We were caught in a flurry of lasers. I ran to my sister and shoved her hard to one side. “Romelle- let’s get out of here! Cossack will take care of them!”

“But we must help them!” She cried out.

The Voltron Force responded to the attack with their laser guns, but was quickly outnumbered. I heard their leader shout, “Team! I want you to follow me. We must form Voltron!”

I took my sister’s hand and began to pull. “C’mon Mel. We must tell father about this!”

To Chapter Eleven
Back to Fan Fiction