Defenders of the Universe - SU/VLD (Adopted by jorge.Fuentes18)

Chapter 34: Counterattack

"Witch Haggar." Sendak respectfully said as he kneeled before the sorceress.

"Commander Sendak." A pleased Haggar began. "Please rise. Your return to our ranks is greatly welcomed."

"Thank you, mistress," Sendak replied as he stood.

"Well, this is quite an unexpected turn of events," Lotor stated. "The Empire was under the impression you had perished on your previous mission some time ago."

"Reports of my demise were greatly exaggerated," Sendak replied.

"And apparently premature." Lotor quietly, yet spitefully added. "If you weren't dead; where have you been all this time?"

"I had failed my mission to destroy the Castle of Lions on Arus." Sendak began. "So, I attempted to sabotage it before it could arrive on the Balmera. I successfully placed a virus onboard, but during my conflict with the Blue Paladin; I was thrown out the airlock, and my cybernetic arm was damaged. My armor's life-support systems activated to protect me from the void of space as I floated aimlessly. My time out there became irrelevant, until a small cargo ship came by and I latched onto it and made my way inside. I fought and killed all the crew members, but the skirmish had damaged the vessel and crashed it on the planet where I was found. For phoebs, I was stranded and left to my own devices. I repaired my arm with what little I had and set out a distress signal as I lived off the ships supplies and the land. After so long, anyone would have gone insane from the isolation; but the drive to serve my Emperor gave me the will to survive. And so, I did. That is until the Half-Breeds discovered and returned me here." Sendak looked all Lotor's Generals over. "But I also know our Emperor would not sully his ranks by allowing them, nor Gems, into our forces; which begs the question: where is our Emperor? Where is Zarkon?"

"I'm afraid that our Emperor... has perished." Haggar regretfully informed.

"That's impossible," Sendak responded with disbelief.

"Despite all of his and my power; he was no match for Voltron." The witch further added. "His demise nearly brought an end to our mighty Empire. A new leader was needed, but Galra would not follow an Altean such as I willingly."

"Thus, she revoked my banishment to re-stabilize us," Lotor added in. "I am your Emperor now, Sendak."

"If your banishment was revoked just to re-stabilize the Empire, then I doubt a Kral Zera was initiated." Sendak deduced. "Your title is that of a placeholder. A pretender to the throne."

"You're not the first to tell me that." Lotor retorted. "And I doubt you'll be the last."

"He may not own the throne, yet," Lapis spoke up as she stepped forward. "But Lotor is twice the Emperor Zarkon ever was."

As soon as Sendak saw the blue woman, he immediately recognized her. "I remember you." He began. "You were the Gem I gifted to Haggar."

"My name is Lapis Lazuli!" The blue Gem fiercely replied. "And you and I have unfinished business for what you did!"

"Foolish girl, do you really think you can take me?" Sendak asked. "I'll bring upon you more pain than you can ever imagine."

"At this point, pain is an old friend," Lapis said as she reaches behind her and pulls out a flask; which begins shaking on its own.

"Lapis." Lotor placed his hand onto his lovers' shoulder. "Not here."

"What?" The Gem questioned. "But Lotor..."