Chapter Text
The Vlic threw a grenade, sending us scattering. The explosion sent my ears ringing, but I propped my gun on the broken wall and took aim. Finger on the trigger, I counted. One, two, three…
“Four on the left, two on the right!” I shouted, straining to be heard over the screams of the wounded and dying. My partner cursed. He hurriedly loaded his stolen phaser and breathed in deep. Then he leaped over our makeshift cover and charged the enemy, guns blazing. I followed without thought. Taking down two from the left, I whipped around, shooting the one trying to sneak up from behind. Then the gunfire fell silent. We both froze, listening for any sounds of fighting. Nothing. My partner let loose a nervous laugh. I felt my mouth tug upwards in response.
“I can’t believe we lived,” He said, baritone voice rumbling with emotion. My own laugh was wobbly.
“When have we not?” I asked. My partner looked down at me, fondly exasperated.
“You were shot two days ago. I was poisoned last week,” He reminded me. I waved a hand, the gesture tired and floppy, snorting. I opened my mouth, witty rebuttle at the ready- a gunshot cracked through the air. My chest burst into flames of pain. I screamed and fell.
“Sol!” Even as I hit the ground, my partner was firing off a round and crouching over me protectively. I locked my jaw and smoothed out my expression, trying to compute the pain tearing my arm apart. Another gunshot split the air, dirt exploding to our right. Then the footsteps came. Metal boots tramping in perfect sync. My partner cursed, threw his gun, and scooped me up. I screamed behind clenched teeth, but didn’t move from my crushed position between his arms. I couldn’t afford to distract him. It didn’t matter, though. Our escape was cut off by a tall, tall figure. He wore Natyvv armor, silver cloak billowing in the smoky air.
“Well, here we are at last,” He sneered, “The two famed fighters. Blessed with life. Charmed against all harm.” He bellowed a laugh. “Not so much anymore, eh?” I snarled through the fuzz in my head, tipping my body away from my partner’s. He got the message and set me on the ground. I would die on my feet.
“General Theeb,” I hissed. Theeb bowed mockingly low, confident in our helplessness. If only he weren’t correct.
“At your service, surely,” He rose and signaled the troops behind us, “But you won’t be needing it. My mistress the Lady Glaid sends her regards.” I braced myself, side pressed to my partner’s. Frustration and horror welled in my chest. We had been so close! If only- light burst onto the battle field. Everyone covered their eyes, crying out in shock and pain. Blinking against the sun-bright light, I saw…a circle? My brain started firing correctly and I recognized it as a portal, like the ones from Dissityl. It belched fire and smoke, searing the soldiers behind us with a wave of heat. They fell back; some collapsing, others stumbling away coughing up their lungs. I saw the chance. The general and his fighting force were distracted, even incapacitated. I grabbed my partner’s hand and started running for the portal. He saw my plan and surged forward, now pulling me along. My free hand scrambled along my belt, searching blindly for the sonic bomb that would close the rift once we were through. My partner grabbed me, both arms winding around my waist and leaped-
We fell against hard marble floor. The air was bright around us, the white hue only possible with artificial light. Tugging the bomb free, I threw it at the portal. With an ear splitting screech, it hung in the air for a moment, then the portal snapped shut. The silence was deafening. My partner sat up, arms still tight around my middle and glanced around. He hissed in a breath and rolled, pulling me under him. Looking about, I noticed what put him on edge. Seven people stood around us, looking slightly singed in their armor suits. I grunted and started riffling through my pockets, searching for something useful. Against so many, though, I doubted I had anything that would help. One of the seven stepped forward, angry surprise on his face. His armor was edged in blue, making his dark skin look darker.
“Lotor?!”
My partner froze up at his name. He didn’t move from his position over me, but afforded himself a glance between the closer one and the rest that ringed us. I could feel the blood pooling under me. So far, adrenaline and shock numbed me to the pain of the deep graze in my side, but I knew it would wear off in a few moments. Then I saw her. Her own armor was lined with pink, white hair in a braided crown. She was partially hidden by a man in a red and white body suit, but I knew her regardless.
“Lady Na’hil!” I gasped. Tears pooled in my eyes even as my heart wrenched. Above me, Lotor twisted to look. His eyes found her a second later. Lotor sagged in disbelief.
“It’s not possible! You- you were in the castle when it was destroyed!” I slithered from under him, rolling into a kneeling salute, right hand pressed to the empty sheath laying horizontally at the small of my back. My left arm hung limply, dripping my life to the ground at a worrying speed. But my mind was consumed with Lady Na’hil. I lifted my head, a wet laugh escaping.
“How we missed you! The others were so disheartened! But we knew you were alive!” I smiled through my tears. Confusion crossed her fair face as she traded looks with her guards.
“Um, I am not Lady Na’hil,” She said slowly. I blinked at her stupidly. “My name is Princess Allura.” I waited a beat, trying to stall the pain I felt building in my chest. Then I took in the minute differences. Blue eyes in place of brown, lithe body inside a body suit instead of healthy curves sheathed in chain mail. Despair knifed me solidly in my chest. I screwed my eyes shut, trying to keep the wail of loss inside.
“Look, it’s nice that you’re bowing to the princess and all, but who are you and why is Lotor here when we left him back in the quintesince field?” I paid no mind to the boy in blue and white armor. Beside me, Lotor gulped down air, keeping his own devastation at bay.
“I am Lotor, this is Solara. We have come from the planet Skivgin via the space-time portal you opened. It saved our lives, though I fear our comrades have perished,” He explained, voice thick with emotion. I sat back, hand pressed to my side, tipping my face up in an attempt to stop crying. My face was blank, rage and heartbreak roiling under my skin. Finally, I regained control of myself.
“Yeah, okay, still doesn’t explain the Lotor on the floor,” I turned to the speaker. Yellow and white armor, a hard face still edged with the softness of childhood.
“This isn’t your Lotor. He’s from Diabaazal-three,” I said. The teen gave me a blank look. I sighed. Again with the long explanations. Then the floor under me tipped and swayed. I choked back bile, feeling my stomach roll and twist unpleasantly. Instantly, I had Lotor’s attention.
“Sol!” He caught me, holding me to his chest securely. I breathed in deep against the pain and nausea. The smallest of the group stepped closer, frowning.
“She’s hurt! Quickly, get her to a healing pod!” Arguments exploded around me, but they were far away. I pressed my face to my partner’s cool neck, breathing in his scent, and swallowed hard.
“Vargus-three,” I whispered against his skin. I felt him nod, then a wave of sleep crashed over me, drowning me.