Burning Bright Eyes

Nineteen

        Lotor could almost feel Ayiko's tension from within the Cyan Serpent. He wore his ceremonial clothing, and while it did show his title as Galra emperor and bore the colors of his usual armor, it felt far too garish for him. He had little doubt that his fellow Warriors -- besides Ezor -- were in agreement about the outfits they were given. Unfortunately, at her orders, he wasn't allowed to see any one of them in their formal clothing, nor were they allowed to see him in his ceremonial attire. She also said they were to change within their Serpents as "extra coverage."

        Understandable, but an odd request -- in his personal opinion. Unfortunately, Ezor never explained the point of it to any of them.

        Flying in formation above the Castle of Lions, the Serpents descended toward the dark planet of Mierome. The silver palace and the expansive courtyard surrounding it appeared below them as they pierced the atmosphere. The glowing lights of the Serpents formed a blazing blend of colors across the dusty gray blanket of ground. They made the Serpents let out a screaming hiss upon landing just at the edges of the courtyard, the castle touching down not far behind them.

        Two noble-looking pureblood Miero stepped out from the crowd of guests already present. One was a man with bright yellow-green eyes and darker-colored tendrils waving like a cape around his gold-embroidered black suit. The other, a woman with crimson orbs and carmine tendrils floating around her carnelian, gold-laced gown.

        "That must be the King and Queen," Allura assumed. "Is everyone ready?"

        "As we'll ever be," Shiro replied. "Alright team, let's head out."

        "I can't believe you boys all have formal armor that Allura found literally right after she went to the swap moon with us," Ezor remarked. "And that Pidge already got a dress from before we got to you. You missed out on an awesome shopping trip!"

        "I wouldn't call it 'missing out' on anything," quipped Acxa. "Making Ayiko and me try on things we aren't comfortable with."

        "Let's proceed, everyone," Lotor reminded them. "I will meet the King and Queen first. Then, the other Warriors will come out individually at my call. Then Allura and the Paladins can follow us."

        The Cerise Serpent lowered its head to the ground and opened its mouth. Lotor strode down the ramp to Hagesh and Seisa.

        "I am Emperor Lotor of the Galra Empire," he introduced himself. "And also, the Champion of Essence and Warrior of the Cerise Serpent."

        The two royal Miero exchanged a few words in Mieran before the woman turned to him. "You must be the successor of Zarkon the resident Galra have been speaking of. I am Queen Seisa of planet Mierome."

        "We are pleased that you had received our invitation," Hagesh added. "Your fellow Warriors are in the remaining Serpents, I presume."

        "Indeed, good sir," Lotor confirmed. "I shall introduce you. To begin, the Champion of Heart and Warrior of the Scarlet Serpent: Ezor of the Chameléae."

        The Scarlet Serpent lowered as Ezor walked out proudly, her Picar over her glove. She bore a confident smile as she stepped up to Lotor's left side; her black, heeled shoes barely showing under the skirt of her dress.

        "The Champion of Body, Warrior of the Citrine Serpent: Zethrid of the Amäzhonés."

        Zethrid left her Serpent in an embroidered, amber-colored tunic shirt, with dark brown trousers and near-black shoes. She had her arms crossed once she took her place by Ezor.