The
Hockey game
“This is quickly being called the match of the century!” The
announcer said excitedly.
“True. People will be talking about this for ages. Already the Alliance
team has taken a brutal beating by the Drule team.” The co-announcer added.
“So it’s thirteen-three for the Drules.”
“Like that’s a surprise.” Lotor said under his breath, clearly
bored.
“So it looks like the Alliance is using their last time-out to regroup,
and the Captain does not look pleased.”
Allura
watched the events anxiously. She had known that agreeing to the challenge from
the Drule had been a mistake, but Lance and Sven had insisted on it. She could
not understand what the men saw on the sport. In her opinion, it was brutal and
senseless. And she especially could not understand why they used ice, of all
surfaces, to play upon. It was just too treacherous and insane in her view.
The invitation, or rather challenge, had come in a month earlier. The
Drule found out that Earth had a similar sport to their own and King Zarkon
decided to test out the members’ of the Voltron Force’s individual strength
by staging the game. Lance and Sven, although wary, had promptly accepted since
they missed playing Hockey. The rules were slightly different; in fact, the only
rule was: get the puck in the net by whatever means.
“Coach Koran and Captain Keith look like they’re not in agreement on
what to do next.”
“Oh, Keith has just skated off, calling the rest of the team out. It
looks like they’re ready to continue.”
“And the puck is dropped. Oh what a hit. The left wing, Jeff has been
taken out by the Drule right wing, Cossack.”
“It’s just as well, he wasn’t doing much.” Lotor commented again.
“Omigod. Both teams don’t seem to care that Jeff is lying on the ice,
after taking that stick in the kidneys. Lance and Sven from the Alliance have
already thrown their gloves off …”
“Not a good move.”
“They’re both on top of Hazar, trying to beat him senseless.”
“Sven’s got his stick back and is bludgeoning Hazar!”
“And an uppercut from Hazar sends Lance off to the side. Oooh!
Lance’s helmet’s came off! Cossack and Yurak have already begun taking turns
punching him across the face.”
Lotor sat drumming his fingers in front of him. “And I’m stuck here
missing all the fun.”
“The Alliance Captain has gotten into a heated argument with the ref.
It looks like the linesmen are having trouble stopping the action!”
“Oh the tragedy of it all!”
Blood
stained the ice and several of the players from both sides had already been
removed from the game with broken limbs and in cases, missing body parts.
Equipment involved almost an armour-like outfit but even that was not enough to
contain the force of the physical blows delivered.
And then, to Allura’s horror, another member of the Alliance team got
knocked flat and he couldn’t get up. She was relieved that Keith, Lance, Hunk
and Sven were still standing, despite the many hits, but she was very concerned
about them. Across the arena from her, she could see King Zarkon’s box and
Lotor sat beside his father, looking like he was bored to tears. Upon seeing the
last extra player of the Alliance removed and the obvious disadvantage at having
one less player, Lotor leaned to say something to his father, they seemed to
argue over something and Lotor stormed off.
Allura closed her eyes and said a small prayer to the Alliance team. It
was obvious they were under a severe drawback playing the Drule who relished in
this form of bloody sport. Although she was repulsed, she continued to watch the
game in morbid fascination.
“And we have an addition to the Alliance team!” The announcer
suddenly cried out. “It seems that the game will balance out after all!”
Scowling, Allura looked at Pidge, who was sitting beside her. Pidge
shrugged, not knowing the answer either. And then they saw a tall, armoured form
enter the ice rink. Allura gasped as she saw long white hair cascading down the
back of the player from under the helmet.
“Lotor?!” Pidge and Allura gasped together.
“And we have Prince Lotor of Doom joining the Alliance!” The
announcer said enthusiastically. “This game is in for some interesting
twists!”
“Yeah, Bob. This is definitely turning into the match of the
century!”
“Let’s see how things turn out.”
Lotor
entered the rink and immediately ploughed his way to the puck, using his
shoulder to knock anyone out of his way. He moved at a surprising speed and
dodged anyone who moved in to batter him out the way. He reached the main melee,
where the puck was and with a spin, snatched it away. He then began to literally
run across the ice with the puck, dodging or battering the opposing players.
“And the Alliance finally has a player who knows how to play!” Bob,
the announcer said.
“Prince Lotor steals the puck, and what a steal!”
“The Prince just took Cossack and tossed him into the box like a rag
doll. It looks like he’s out for the game!”
“And it’s Prince Lotor down the ice, Keith and Sven trying to cover
him…”
“Unsuccessfully. Yurak has cross checked Keith into the boards.”
“That’s gotta hurt!”
“Keith is down, and the ice gets another coat of blood tonight.”
The Alliance’s fourth goal that night was quite dramatic, with Lotor
being pushed at the last moment and dragging two other players with him. They
all ended up in the net with the puck in a tangle of hockey sticks and limbs.
Allura looked puzzled at Pidge. “He’s helping us?”
Pidge was surprised. “Who would have guessed!”
“The ref has signalled the goal and is about to send out the medics to
check on the injured players on the ice.”
“Hazar seems to be annoyed with the medics trying to carry him off the
ice. It doesn’t look good for Hunk and Keith who still have not moved since
they got hit.”
“Oooh, Hazar delivers a well placed upper cut to the medic.”
“He must be feeling better!”
“Oh, wait, now Keith has done the same, delivering a less enthusiastic
slap. But he looks hurt.”
“Yeah Bob. It’s obvious that he’s hurting.”
“Oh shut up!” Keith snapped at the announcers.
“Just doing our job!”
Lotor moved to the centre at the starting point. When the ref signalled
for them to begin, instead of taking the puck, Lotor tackled the Drule in front
of him and then was shoved roughly to the side by another who came to take the
puck. Regaining his balance, Lotor chased after the usurper and knocked him
aside a few metres from the Alliance net. He saw as Hunk got the puck and began
to move back towards the Drule net. Lotor smiled subtly and raced up, overcame
Hunk and continued on, working as a battering ram to clear the way for him. To
Hunk went the credit of the fifth goal.
The next goal was Lance’s. Lotor went at full speed towards the Drule
net, when a wall of players moved to get on his way. He waited till the last
moment, shot the puck at tremendous speed at Lance who was behind the Drule, and
then jumped up into the air, flipped over their heads and landed on his feet as
Lance scored and the Drule fell into a disastrous heap on the ice.
Lotor arched an eyebrow. “Wussup…?” He asked no one in particular.
Keith caught up to Lotor when they began to regroup again. “What
gives?”
Lotor looked at him. “I got bored.” He shrugged.
Keith nodded, not quite understanding the logic, but knowing that they
didn’t have time to talk right at that time.
“And what a devastating miscalculation on the part of the Drule
team.”
“They’ll be feeling that tomorrow.”
“That’s going to leave a mark.”
“But you’ve gotta remember they must be used to playing with the
Prince.”
“But not against him.”
“And the ref signals the face off.”
“Ooh! Hazar and Yurak have double teamed the Prince…”
“But he’s still standing! What a player! He’s got the puck and is
off.”
“The other Alliance players aren’t doing much to keep the rest of the
Drules back. Sven has broken from the melee, and skates after Prince Lotor.”
“He passes the puck to Sven who has a clear shot of the net.”
“He shoots, he scores!!!!” The announcer sounded as if ready to blow
a few arteries.
The game continued on with Lotor taking the blunt of the blows to assure
that the other members of his team scored and that the Drule didn’t. The
Alliance caught up with the lost scores quickly enough.
“He’s an awesome player.” Pidge commented.
“I don’t think it has anything to do with how well he plays.”
Allura said. “I think it’s more to do with the fact that he’s just as
rough as the others if not more.”
“Well, at least they are not hesitating to hit their Prince.” Pidge
grinned.
“I’m sure that rank has nothing to do with the game. Lotor looks like
he’s been playing this for a long time and by the looks of it, he always get
just as beaten as he beats.” Allura shook his head. “What a horrible way to
grow up!”
Pidge looked thoughtful. “That certainly explains a lot about them.
Lance was telling me that Hockey can be rough, but I don’t think this is what
he meant.”
Allura nodded and looked back at the rink. And that’s when she saw
Lotor fall.
“And Prince Lotor has just been passed the puck from Hunk.”
“He’s going full tilt down the alley!”
“And the Drule defenseman is standing his ground, guarding the net.”
“And the defensemen has just knocked the Prince flat!”
The Prince had been coming at full speed towards a particularly large
Drule. The latter, however, waited until the last moment to lower himself and
using his shoulder, barrelled into Lotor’s stomach, lifted him high over his
head and tossed him back. Lotor fell in a loud crash on his back and remained
unmoving on the ice.
“Ooh! It looks like Prince Lotor is out of the game.” The announcer
said. “The addition certainly boosted the Alliance, but now the Drule will
probably gain the upper hand again.”
“That’s right, Bob! The Alliance has just lost their key player.”
“Keith has called the team aside, using the time for clearing the
bodies out to his advantage.”
“Wait, the Captain and the right wing have gone to check on their
fallen comrade.”
Whereas penalties did not apply, the ref did call for a pause so that the
body could be removed. By the time the rowdy Drules acknowledged this and
stopped, Lotor had rolled to his side with Keith and Lance’s help. He waved a
dismissing hand at them and got to his hands and knees. The medics arrived with
a stretcher and after getting into an argument with Lotor, who refused to be
taken away, shrugged and left. Lotor got to his feet unsteadily and scanned the
rink.
“Come, we have a game to finish.” He said quietly.
Lance scowled. “Ahm, Lotor, you should pull out, man. That was one heck
of a blow.”
Keith nodded. “We’re winning and there are only a few minutes
left.”
Lotor shook his head. “To the game, men…” He closed his eyes
briefly. “It just winded me. Come, let us go.”
“Wait. Prince Lotor seems to be insisting he’s good to finish the
game!”
“What a trooper!”
“Prince Lotor is up and skating around as if this were a leisure
skate!”
“Oh, it looks like we’ve upset the Prince. He’s standing in the
middle of the arena, tossing his stick towards us.”
“You have to give him credit. That was a great throw. Perhaps he might
take up professional baseball after this.”
“We’ll get our interviewer to ask him if cross-sport is in the cards
for the future.”
And the game restarted. Pidge noticed that Lotor was skating a lot slower
than before and that he was dodging more than ramming the Drule players. Allura
also saw this and sighed in worry. The game lasted a little longer and it was
finally over, with the Alliance coming out victorious.
“With three seconds left in the game, Prince Lotor, assisted by Keith
and Sven have won the game!”
“And Bob, the Drule do not look pleased!”
“Wait Bob! Hazar is taking out his frustration on his own goalie!”
“And the others have joined in!”
“Oh the insanity of it all!”
Lotor made quick his exit, while the Alliance gathered for a group hug
and to receive the trophy. He made his way to the change room and by the time he
managed to painfully strip himself, he heard the others coming. He rushed to the
shower stall holding his abdomen and let the water wash over him, to the world
looking like he was just enjoying a shower after a sweaty game.
“Hey, Lotor.” Lance called from somewhere in the change room.
“We’re going to celebrate. Wanna come?”
“Ahm… I think I’ll pass.” Lotor said, sounding indifferent. “I
don’t think my father is going to be too happy with me not only beating our
own team but also going out to make merry with you.”
“How’s the belly?” Hunk asked. “That was a pretty rough blow you
got there.”
“Oh, it’s all good.” Lotor said distracted.
“Are you sure?” Keith looked very concerned. “That wasn’t a love
nudge.”
“I’ve come across some pretty rough love nudges.” Lotor said
distantly.
No one found it too strange when they were done dressing that Lotor was
still in the shower. They figured the Prince was just vain and was taking his
time about his hair or something. Meanwhile, Lotor had his head against the
wall, and his shoulders hunched over.
Allura met the Voltron pilots outside the gates. They all embraced and
Allura knitted her brows.
“How’s Lotor?” She asked.
“He’s alright.” Lance said.
“Where’s he?” Pidge asked. “We didn’t see him come out and
we’ve been here for a while waiting for you guys.”
“He’s still in the shower.” Hunk said. “I guess he’s got some
big date tonight or something.”
Keith shook his head. “I have a feeling he wasn’t too truthful about
his state of health.”
“You should go and check on him.” Allura said.
“Well, he won’t admit to it.” Lance said helplessly. “We even
invited him to come out with us.”
Allura sighed. “Let me go and talk to him.” She began to walk into
the corridor.
“Ahm, Princess, that’s – er – a man’s change room and Lotor
was, well, naked.” Keith said.
“Don’t worry, I’ll call before I walk in.” She said flatly.
“You don’t really think I want to see him naked, do you?”
She moved quickly and decided to peak in before calling to Lotor. Luckily
for her, Lotor had already put on his pants and sat on a bench, with his head
back, leaning against the wall. She gasped as she saw his stomach. The bruise
was black and purple and it was from his waist almost to his chest. It was not
wonder he had refused to come out. He was probably in too much pain to even
move.
“Lotor…” She called softly as she entered.
But the damage was done. Lotor startled and jumped up. He grimaced and
then blanked his face. “Allura… What are you doing here?”
She put her hands on her hips. “I’m here because you’re too
stubborn to admit that you’re hurt.”
“Oh, it’s just a flesh wound.” He said casually and bent slowly to
get his shirt. “You know, you shouldn’t be here…” He turned slightly and
smirked at her. “Alone in a change room with me…”
Allura rolled her eyes. “Can you not think of anything else? I’m here
because I’m concerned about you!” She snapped. “Is this the thanks I get?
At least pretend you’re decent and stop saying such things.”
Lotor sighed. “I’m sorry…” He mumbled and pulled on his shirt
gingerly. “The others are probably waiting for you.”
“Yes, I know.” She paused. “Are you going to have a doctor look at
that?”
“It’s just a bruise.” He shrugged.
“It looks to be a lot more than just a bruise!” She said sternly.
“Stop being so proud and promise me you’ll have it at least looked at.”
Lotor sighed loudly. “Fine.”
Allura crossed her arms. “You’re lying.”
“Allura, it’s…”
She interrupted. “It’s bad!” She said angrily. “Are you blind and
numb? Come with me, Lotor. We’ll have it checked out now.”
“But…”
“Now!”
Lotor nodded and complied, if a little slow. The pain was intense and he
was honestly afraid of fainting. As it was, he felt light-headed and he had to
think before making any movement. He followed Allura as if he was in an underwater
dream and by the time they reached the infirmary, he was completely unaware of
where or who he was. However, he felt safe with Allura and did not make the
previous effort to remain in control of himself. He vaguely remembered being led
to a bed and lay down where he succumbed to unconsciousness.
Allura looked up at Dr. Gorma apprehensively. He examined Lotor carefully
and looked back at the Princess.
“I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did…” He said quietly.
“He’s got at least two broken ribs. Luckily for him, the bones did not
pierce any internal organs, so he doesn’t need surgery.” He paused.
"Princess, he’s a mess.”
“Can you do anything for him?” She asked.
“I’ll do all I can.” He smiled. “Go now. I’ll patch him up here
and then have him moved to the castle where I have better instruments to monitor
him.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Allura entered the infirmary with Keith four days after the fateful game.
King Zarkon had been indifferent when they had called him to let him of Lotor
and to ask him about moving Lotor to Doom. By the tone of Zarkon’s voice, it
had been obvious that Lotor would have simply been neglected and either he would
heal on his own or die.
“How’s he?” Allura asked.
“I can’t break the fever.” Dr. Gorma said frustrated. “It
doesn’t get better or worse, it just stays there, lingering.”
Lotor had developed the fever about two hours after falling unconscious.
He responded to all outward stimuli but had not woken up, and often he would
open his eyes and snarl whenever he received a particularly stingy injection.
“Is this normal?” Keith asked confused. “Aside from the fever and
being out of it, I mean?”
Dr. Gorma shook his head. “I don’t know. I’ve never administered a
Drule before.” He paused and moved to the bed where Lotor lay in a casual
sprawl. “And this is what I find most interesting.” He lifted the blanked
enough to show Lotor’s abdomen. “Look at that. Princess, you saw how he was
four days ago. Notice any difference?”
Allura’s eyes widened. The horrendous bruise was now a darker shade of
blue than Lotor’s own complexion and nearly gone. Keith looked at it, but not
having seen how the damage had looked initially just shrugged.
“He’s healing at a remarkable rate.” Dr. Gorma covered Lotor who
shifted in his sleep/unconsciousness. “And look at these.”
He placed two X-rays on the light table. One had four bones broken right
in half, and the other showed the same four bones with only a few cracks where
the break had been. Keith began to understand what had shocked Allura.
“I have a feeling that the fever and the unconsciousness are just side
effects of his own natural healing process. What would have taken months for
anyone to heal, it will take him only a few weeks.” Dr. Gorma paused. “And
given that he’s half human, I’m certain a pure Drule would heal even
faster.”
“He’s half human?” Allura and Keith asked together.
Dr. Gorma raised an eyebrow. “According to the blood sample I got from
him, he’s got human DNA.” He looked at Lotor as if he was a strange puzzle.
Keith marvelled over the discovery. “I wonder who his mother was…”
He said distractedly. “I don’t think any woman would have married Zarkon
willingly.”
Allura sighed. “That certainly explains a lot about Lotor.” She said
quietly.
The Princess had gained much insight into Lotor since the game. A lot
about his disposition was explained since she began to understand what kind of
people he had grown up with, how they treated one another and how his father
felt about him. She looked down at him. He looked peaceful, his hair in a
dishevelled mess, fanned out over the pillows.
“When do you think he’ll wake up?” Allura asked.
Dr. Gorma looked thoughtful. “I would guess in a few days… If my
guesses are correct.”
Allura nodded and left with Keith.
True to Dr. Gorma’s words, Lotor woke three days later. He blinked
owlishly and then scowled confused as to where he was. Before he could get up,
Allura and Dr. Gorma walked in to find him sitting up in bed.
“You’re awake!” Allura said cheerfully.
“Where am I?” Lotor asked.
“In the infirmary in Arus.” Dr. Gorma said. “You have been here for
about a week.” He moved over and pushed Lotor back on the bed. “Stay still
for a few moments. I’ll just run the last tests.”
“What happened?” Lotor asked curiously, obliging to the Doctor’s
command. “I remember you coming to see me and then, nothing.”
“I brought you Dr. Gorma and you fell unconscious.” Allura said.
“We’ve been taking care of you. We called your father, but he didn’t seem
too willing to take you back in the state you were in. I was afraid of him not
looking after you properly so you stayed here with us.”
Lotor nodded. “Thank you… That was not necessary. I didn’t mean to
be a burden.”
Allura shook her head. “You weren’t.” She knitted her brows
confused at Lotor’s sudden polite disposition. “Lotor, why did you join the
game? I mean, why did you join the Alliance?”
He shrugged. “Frankly because I was really bored.” He paused. “I
also knew that you guys were going to lose. You don’t strike me as the type
who can play a real Drule game. So I decided to tip the scale lightly. That has
always been my favourite game.”
Allura looked shocked. “Lotor! That game is brutal and bloody! How can
you like that…” She rolled her eyes. “Ah, yes, I almost forgot who you
were for a moment.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lotor demanded sitting up.
Dr. Gorma placed him down on the bed again. “You’re not done yet.”
He turned to Allura. “Princess, please stop upsetting the patient.”
“You’ve been told.”
Allura looked affronted. “Preparations will be made for you departure
as soon as Dr. Gorma releases you. Good day.” She left.
Lotor smirked. “She’s certainly something else.”
Dr. Gorma looked up from his clipboard. “Prince Lotor, tell me
something, have you always been able to heal at a such phenomenal rate?”
“Phenomenal? There’s nothing phenomenal about it really. I’m a runt
and I’m the slowest to heal out of everyone.” Lotor looked annoyed.
“You’re not a runt. You’re half human.”
“That’s just an excuse.” Lotor waved a dismissing hand. “If
you’re wondering why I get better quickly, is because I’m half Drule.”
“I suspected as much.”
“But there’s really nothing phenomenal at my personal recovery rate,
let me assure you.”
“Still…” Gorma looked back at his papers. “You’ve defied all
the scientific studies I’ve ever learned and conducted.”
“So let me guess…” Lotor arched an eyebrow. “You would like me to
stay so that you could study me, am I right?”
“Ahm… sort of.”
“I don’t think so.” Lotor stood up. “I’m going back to Doom
today. My father is probably birthing a giraffe by now because I’m not there
to lead the attacks.” He rolled his eyes. “That creature can be quite
melodramatic, let me tell you. I think we would have a whole zoo by now if it
was physically possible.”
At that Keith strolled in. “What did you say to Allura?” Keith
sounded upset.
“She couldn’t handle the truth.” Lotor said.
Keith raised a suspicious eyebrow but said nothing. “So what are you
doing now?”
“I’m going back to Doom.”
“Why?” Keith asked. “I doubt that your father will want you around
after helping us out.”
“Oh that was a week ago.” Lotor waved a dismissing hand. “The old
fogy can’t remember that far back. He’s probably mad now because I’m not
there.”
Keith shrugged indifferently at Lotor. “Well, thanks for helping out in
the game. We couldn’t have done it without your help.”
“I know.” Lotor began to get dressed.
“You weren’t just standing around like this when the Princess came
in, were you?” Keith looked upset at Lotor’s nakedness.
Lotor, being Lotor, decided to take full advantage of the situation.
“Well, it is my room and all… She just walked in.” He shrugged. “She
didn’t look like she regretted the vista.”
Without warning, Keith jumped at Lotor, and punched him across the face.
Lotor looked angrily at him, before picking him up and throwing him hard against
the wall.
“Don’t try me, little man.” Lotor snapped. “You don’t have the
parts to stand against me.” He finished getting dressed and left.
On his way to Doom, Lotor thought about the events that had just passed.
He knew Allura was caring and very humane and would never allow anyone to suffer
regardless of whom he or she was. This certainly explained why she had taken the
time and effort to help him. What he did not understand was why the Princess and
Keith always asked him to change his way and to abandon his current lifestyle.
Did they realise that he was happy as he was? That he enjoyed the supremacy he
held?
Lotor sighed and looked out the windows on the ship at the universe.
‘Why do they keep pestering me? There’s so much out there why don’t they
bother someone else? And why is my father so bent in capturing Arus anyway?
He’ll gain nothing from it. At least I get the Princess…’ He smirked.
‘And won’t that be fun!’
Keith was lounging on a couch when Allura finally came out of her rooms
after venting her frustration with her meeting with Lotor. Keith regarded her
and sighed.
Allura sat across from him and cocked her head. “What’s in your
mind?”
“Princess, when you went to see Lotor…” He paused. “Was he at
least descent?”
“He’s a pig!” Allura huffed. “At first he was very courteous and
then he just became a royal pain in the rear!”
“Well, I meant more in a physical sense…” Keith flushed lightly.
“Was he dressed?”
Allura scowled. “Well, no.”
Keith looked very surprised.
“I mean, he was under the blankets, so I guess it didn’t really
matter.” She paused. “If that’s what you meant.”
Keith nodded. “He said he exposed himself to you. I didn’t think he
would lower himself that much, but when you’re involved, I never know what to
expect from him.”
“I understand, Keith.” Allura said quietly. “Lotor can be quite bad
at times. I wish he could mend his ways and we could live in peace, but I
don’t think that’s ever going to happen.”
“No, probably not.” Keith sighed regretfully. “He’s not all that
bad, you know. Playing with him, gave me a whole new insight about him. He is
quite resourceful and an excellent team player. He could have taken over the
game and won it alone, but he made sure to pass the puck to the rest of us so
that we could have a chance too.”
“I saw that. I was rather surprised at that, truth be told. I thought
he had joined in just to show off.”
“Well, he did do quite a bit of that.” Keith said bitterly.
Allura nodded. ‘Well, at least he shows off well…’ She thought
distractedly and looked into Keith’s eyes. “But it’s over. He’s gone and
now we just have to wait till he comes back and commences his assaults again.”
“Great.”
The
End