kuro
“Uh, guys? Where’s James?” Nadia asked. The other MFES and paladins looked around. “Shit. We didn’t leave him, did we?” Lance asks. “Fuck.” Keith says, him and Ryan already headed back from where they came. “James! James!” They called. They heard coughing. “Over here.” A weak voice said. “James!” Keith said, panic in his voice. James was slumped against a wall, his midsection bleeding. “What happened?” Nadai asked. “Stupid witch.” He muttered. “Holy shit James! You’re gonna bleed out!” Hunk said frantically. He started pulling out bandages and pain meds, and stepped closer to James, preparing to tend to him wound. But when he knelt next to him, James’s hand went to his throat. He looked at him, eyes glowing a terrifying yellow, a malicious grin on his face, fangs appearing in his smile. He stood, hand still wrapped around Hunk’s throat as he gasped for air. “Stupid paladins.” A smooth voice said, leaving James’s mouth. “So strong, yet so stupid.” He let go of Hunk and let him fall to the ground, gasping for breath. The others had their guns aimed at him and their swords ready. “James, what are you doing?” Pidge asked. James laughed. “James? Yes, that's this one’s name.” He let out an evil laugh. “He’s gone. He's been gone for a long time. I am Kuro,” Looks of fear crossed all the paladins faces. “You really thought she would stop with Kuron? He was weak. A liability. You did us a favor getting rid of him Keith.” Kuro said, stepping closer. “Tell me, how is Shiro doing in my companion’s body? It’s treating him well, no?” “Stay back.” Lance growled, gun, poised and ready. In an instant, James/Kuro ran at him and had his arm around his throat, gun pointed at his head. The others pointed at him, but he laughed and held Lance in front of him. “Ah ah ah, don’t want to hurt your friend, do you?” He asked. Lance struggled in his grip, but his arm moved, and he started gasping. “Stay still young paladin, or you’ll join the Emperor.” James, no, Kuro warned. “All of you, weapons on the ground.” He ordered, using James’s voice. “I won’t ask nicely again.” He said, pushing the gun to Lance’s temple.
They others reluctantly laid down their arms. “Good. On your knees.” They knelt, hands going behind their heads. He shoved Lance to the ground, where he lay in a heap, trying to regain his breath. He kept the gun pointed at them and sidestepped into the hall. Keith and Nadia exchanged a look and shot up, grabbing their weapons. James/Kuro growled and fired. The others also picked up their weapons, and Pidge dragged Hunk and Lance out of the way. They shot at Kuro, who smiled evilly. He dropped Lance’s gun and ran at them, attacking them with blinding speed. Throwing kicks and punches, blocking swords with his hands. Blaster shots hit him but he kept going.
Soon, he stood, chest rising and falling as the others struggled on the ground. “Fools. You know I’m stronger than I look.” He walked over to Keith and grabbed his jaw, forcing him to meet his eyes. “Tell me paladin, was I the same as him? Were my words as kind? My kisses as soft? My dick as good?” Keith growled at him and he chuckled. “I think that’s a yes.” He shoved him back, and a door opened behind him. He smiled at the person who came through. “There you are. I was wondering when you’d get here.” “They’re subdued?” A familiar voice asked. “It was almost as easy as you said.” Kuro replied. “You should know better than to doubt me by now.” James, the real one, said as he stepped into the light. The others gaped at him.
He was taller, and more built. A scar ran down the right side of his face, starting a bit above his eyebrow and ending a few inches before his jaw. It went over his eye, which was a lighter shade of purple than the other. They glowed, and bits of quintessence floated off them, like glitter in the wind. His hair was different too.
Undercut all the way around, the top part spiked forward.
His clothing was a mix of the paladin undersuits and a BOM uniform. Tight and form fitting, but functional. It was pitch black, with a purple V much like that of Voltron. (I’m picturing it kinda like a Nightwing suit, but black and Galra purple) A sword was on the back, and a small blaster was at his side. He tossed something to Kuro. “Here. Help me tie them up. Otherwise they’ll cause more trouble.” Kuro laughed, already stepping towards the others. “Why didn’t I think of that?” The real James started tying Ryan’s hands. “Because I’m smarter. And he suggested it. She summoned him not long after you reported.” Kuro rolled his eyes as he tied Nadia and Ina together. “Is she really going to bring him back? Her prodigal son who died over some girl?” James tied Lance’s hands. “Speaking of which, where is Allura? You said she’d be here.” Kuro hummed absentmindedly. “Really? You forgot the princess.” James scoffs. “Idiot. Wait here.” He went back down the darkened halls. “Nadia!” Allura hissed, hiding behind a wall. “What’s happening? Why is James-”
She didn’t get to finish her sentence before James appeared, smacking her in the head with the butt of his gun. “Stupid bitch.” He muttered. He surveyed the room, seeing everyone but Keith tied up, and nodded in approval. “Good. Let’s go. She’s waiting.” “What about Keith?” Kuro asked. James glanced at him. He stepped forward, within striking distance of Keith. Keith growled and summoned his bayard, swinging it at him. James didn’t flinch. Keith stopped, just before he would hit his jugular, killing him. “What are you doing? Kill him!” Lance hissed. James smiled. “You won't hurt me. You know that.” Keith glared at him but lowered his sword. James knelt in front of him, and tenderly brushed some hair out of his face. “You could never hurt me Or I you.” He leaned in, and Keith’s eyes fluttered closed. He kissed him, lips softly pushing on the other’s. “But Kuro has no such reservations. Neither does anyone else in the Empire. You only get one warning.” He said, rising. A dark wormhole opens behind them. “And there’s our ride.” Kuro said. Him and James walked towards it. “Later losers.” Kuro says. “Bye Kitten.” James purrs, looking over his shoulder seductively.
They disappear, and the wormhole closes behind them. Keith gets up and goes to the others, untying them. “Why didn’t you kill him?” Lance hisses. Keith smiles and pulls a small black chip out from his lips. “One, because he’s still my James. Two, because he gave us something.” Once the others are all untied, they plug the chip into Ryan’s wrist device. An image flickers and appears.
“Fuck. You gave him the chip, didn’t you?” Kuro’s voice asks.
With a start, they realize they’re looking through his eyes.
“Yes. Now shut up.” James hisses. They’re standing in a large room, dim purple lighting telling them they’re aboard a Galra ship. The door hisses open, and they stand at attention, arms be their side. “Empress.” James says, him and Kuro doing the Galra salute. Honerva is there, in Altean form, in dark robes. “Did you complete your mission?” She asks. “Yes Empress. It was easier than we expected. They fully believed I was James.” “The dog didn’t. But otherwise, it proceeded without a hitch.” Honerva nodded in approval. “Good. What of Champion? Did you bring him back? Or the princess?” They exchange a look. “We were not told to retrieve anyone Empress.” She sighed. “Go. Prepare. You must retrieve at least the princess. Attempt to plant a chip on the Champion.” They nod, and she starts to leave. “And remember, it is your night in the ring. Do not disappoint me.” She warns. “I hate this chip.” Kuro hisses, turning around and exiting another door. “It won’t last long. And you can shut it off.” James said. “What is with you and the paladin? Don’t get me wrong, he’s good, but I don’t see why you’re protecting him.” Kuro states. “I failed to protect the others I held close to my heart. I’m not going to let her hurt them. Besides, if they’re dead, she’ll simply find others for us to attack, who are nowhere near as strong. They’d be pushovers. And what would be the fun in that?” Kuro let out a raspy laugh. “Yes, I suppose you’re correct. But I still don’t understand why. They couldn’t even tell the difference between you and I.” Suddenly, Kuro was slammed against a wall, and James’s hand was at his throat, pinning him up on the wall. He glared up at him, the quintessence radiating off his eyes glowing. “Remember, you are a clone. You are replaceable. I am not. And if I so choose, I will replace you. But I choose to protect you, as I do them. If I stop protecting them, I also stop protecting you. Do you understand?” He growls, eye tinting yellow. The video moves up and down, and they assume Kuro is nodding. James grins. “Good.” And releases him. They continue down the hall, and several Galra approach them, handing them armor. “What do you think we’ll get this time?” Kuro asks. James shruggs, tapping something on his wrist.
His suit changes, and the entire top half disappears, and the others have to stiffel gasps. It’s covered in small scars, and three large ones run down James’s back.
“Another Robeast? Maybe Admiral Sendak has a general he wants us to get rid of.” Kuro laughed and James grinned. “Those are always fun. Do you think they’ll grovel?” “No. They have too much pride. But if we’re lucky, the Empress will give them extra help, and they’ll last more than a minute.” both laughed at that. An attendant handed them both a weapon, a sword by the looks of it, covered in cloth. “Oh, so it’s one of these nights. Try not to die too quickly.” James says, picking up the weapon.” “I’d say the same to you. Put on a show, or quick death?” Kuro asked. “Give them a show. Make Monday exciting.” James decided. “Wings or claws?” “Yes.” James said, with a grin, accepting a mask from an attendant. “Are you ready?” He asked, putting it on. It was black, but had the scar running down the side and holes for the eyes. “As I’ll ever be.” They approached a door, which opened into blinding lights. They stepped out and a crowd of glara and other aliens were cheering. “KURO! KURO! KURO!” Some cheered. “NERO! NERO! NERO!!” Others roared. They waved at the crowd, running to different sides of the ring. Sendak came into the arena, sitting on a balcony at the front. Everyone fell silent. “Welcome my warriors. Who shall die today?” They both lifted their swords and pointed them at each other. The crowd roared for blood. Sendak raised a hand, and they silenced. He nodded to a Druid, and they stepped forward. He raised his hands, and lightning shot from them, hitting each man in the ring. Kuro saw James close his eyes and inhale deeply, smile working its way onto his face. His eyes opened, and they glowed brightly, yellow creeping in on the edges.
He laughed, a dark and cold sound, sending chills down their spines.
“Are you ready?” He asked. “Are you?” Kuro retorted. His grin turned evil. His eyes glowed brighter, and dark wings, black as night, sprung from his back. They made eye contact and both roared and ran at each other.
It was terrifying. The others could only watch as they fought.
Their swords clashed as they flew at each other, wings flapping. They pushed off and landed on the ground again. James’s wings disappeared and his hands grew claws, fine black fur covering them. Quintessence seemed to radiate off him as they clashed again. The whites of his eyes were yellow, and the purple irises glowed. They clashed again, and everything was a blur. They saw James standing over him, sword pointed at Kuro’s throat. He turned to Sendak, who gave him a thumbs down, like a Roman emperor of old. Without looking at Kuro, he stabbed downward, and the video started fading out. James raised his arms in victory, and the crowd cheered. A door opened and James smiled in that direction. His claws came back and he put his sword on his back. Gleaming white fangs grew in his smile, and a large black ran towards him. He charged, and everything went black.
They sat in silence for a minute. “Oh my god.” Ina whispered. “James.” Keith felt numb. His boyfriend had been gone for months, and he hadn’t even noticed. And now, he was a puppet of the Fire of Purification, serving Sendak and Honerva. The quintessence radiating off him was changing him, making him less and less human. “Keith? You okay? You’re shaking.” Hunk pointed out. “We didn’t notice. None of us noticed. It's been months. How could we not notice?” Keith asked. “Because literally the only difference between the two was the scar on their face, which James didn’t have last time we saw him.” Ryan says. “Keith, it’s not your fault. None of us noticed.” Lance was pacing pulling his hair. “What is with her and clones? First, she clones Shiro, then we find out she has a dozen of them we have to get rid of, and we finally get back to Earth, and James gets cloned? And now they’re gonna kidnap Allura and Shiro? Why can’t she just give up already? She has the Empire, what else does she want?” He fumed. “Lotor.” Nadia said. “You guys said her son’s name was Lotor, right?” The paladins (minus Allura because she’s unconscious) nod. “They mentioned a ‘prodigal son’ who died. That’s him, right?” They nod again. “So she’s bringing her son back from the dead. What’s wrong with that?” Ryan asks. “Um, have you seen Walking Dead? Or any zombie movie?” Pidge scoffed. “I’ve quickly learned that all movies and books on Earth about what used to be sci-fi are lies.” He replies. “She could control him.. She controlled Zarkon, and she might be controlling Sendak too.” Lance says. “We need to get James out of there.” Ina declares. “And Kuro.” Nadia adds.
The others look at her oddly. “James likes him. They’re friends, kind of. And James doesn’t let people in easily. And, if that’s not good enough, he might know what they’re planning.”
“I do.” The same smooth voice said, a shimmering form of him appearing before them. “You need to let us take the princess. And plant a chip on Champion.” Kuro said. “Why should we listen to you?” Hunk asked, glaring at him. “Look, if you don’t, they’ll punish us. More specifically, Ne-James. How do you think he got those scars? How he became so powerful?” “She uses them for her experiments.” Pidge mutters. “She tests her magic and stuff on them.” Kuro smiled. “Yes little paladin, She will. You will let us take the princess, or you will die trying to stop us.” Kuro declared. “What if we stop you?” Ryan asked. “If you can’t beat me with an advantage, and without my powers, you think you can stop me and N-James from killing you all? We are stronger than you think.” Kuro warned. “You try and stop us, and you will die trying. Now, report to Iverson. Tell him James was taken prisoner, and blew himself up protecting the rest of you. He is dead.” “Why can’t we just say he’s been taken prisoner?” Keith asked. “He’s still alive.” “Keith, he is not the same. No longer is he the James you knew. Eight months with the Fire can change someone.” He turned his head to the side and sighed. “This is all the time we have. We will take the princess. Be careful.” Kuro warned. Then his form shimmered and disappeared.
They sat in silence. “We have to do it.” Hunk said. “I hate this. We don’t even know what’s going on.” Nadia said. Keith stood. “But we have to do it. For James.” “For James.” The others chorused.
It wasn’t hard convincing the Garrison that James was dead, their blank faces and numb responses did it for them. Shiro pulled Keith into a hug the second he saw them. “I’m sorry.” He whispered. Keith just let his head fall on his shoulder. Veronica started crying. “Hi-his sister. Oh god, how are we gonna tell Cameron?” She whispered. Curtis wrapped an arm around her and rubbed her back. “He saved us.” Ina muttered.