Chotto Ninja

Prologue

In the 21st Deca-Phoeb of the Universal Empire as established by Emperor Zarkon, Conqueror of Worlds, Uniter of Galaxies, Protector of the Universe.

NEW ALTEA THE ROYAL RESIDENCE UE4-21.08.18.04

It took Lance only one look at the Galra's face for him to begin screaming.

"No! I don't want to! I don't wanna go!" he wailed pitifully, pulling at his mother's skirts and hiding his face from the scarred intruder.

"Ah, my little starlight!" she cried, awkwardly kneeling around her swollen belly to give six-year-old Lance an embrace so tight she might never let go. "Mama loves you so so much!"

Lance squealed in alarm as the ground suddenly fell away under him, but it was only his father catching him under his arms and lifting him to his chest. Lance swung at him with his tiny fists in protest even as his father bent forward and planted a kiss the top of his brown unruly curls. "He's here to protect you, son. He's going to make sure you get to Daibazaal safely."

Out of the corner of his eye, Lance stole a glance at the giant figure dressed in dark leathers blocking the doorway with his massive frame and glowing yellow eyes. He squirmed, his body's warnings winning out over his father's words. "I don't want to! I want to stay here on New Altea with mom and Luis and Marco and Veronica and— hic —my little sister!"

His parents exchanged pained look as Lance dissolved into gasping wails.

"I know. We know." his father soothed, rubbing repetitive circles into his back as Lance continued to cry. His mother reached out to cup his cheek and wipe the unending river of tears from his face.

When Lance had tired himself out and his crying had mostly deteriorated into hiccups and pathetic moans, his father shifted his grip on him so that Lance could look at him properly. His father looked somber but spoke gently, "Remember when we talked about this? How we all have responsibilities?"

Lance wasn't ready for words, so he just nodded. They had talked about it. For phoebs now.

"Remember when Marco was away for a long time?"

Lance nodded sullenly. He had grown up surrounded by portraits of the royal family decorating the castle walls. His family, and a strange little boy who looked like a younger version of Luis holding a baby Lance. Lance didn't know he was his brother until one day he had asked why there were two Luises in every picture.

"He was gone for so long because he was busy doing his duty to the family, to New Altea. Luis too, but that was before you were born. It's your turn now."

Lance took a deep breath, putting on his bravest face as he wiped his nose with the back of his sleeve. The thing was, he did understand that he had to leave, despite how the thought displeased him. He just never understood why.

Something about growing up or whatever. It had seemed fine enough when his parents would talk to him about it, preparing him for the idea of change. But it was a whole other matter when it came down to the actual leaving part.

He also didn't expect his escort to be so big and terrifying.

The purple feline man, who had been silent and watchful until this point, stepped forward and knelt down on one knee, head bowed. He would still tower over Lance if they were both on the ground, but in the safety of his father's arms they were close to eye-level. The soldier looked a lot less threatening when he made himself smaller like that.

His voice, low and modulated, was calm and measured as he addressed Lance. "I apologize for frightening you, little prince. I promise I will not hurt you. My job is to protect people, and the Emperor has determined I'm the best at it. That's why he sent me." He waited patiently for Lance to respond, unmoving except for a minor flicking of his cat-like tail.

All his scars hidden, Lance took a proper look at him. Two big fluffy ears caught his attention. He imagined how soft they would be. He reached out before his father could stop him.

His father stepped back, pulling him away in shock with a startled apology on his lips.

"My little starlight! You should never touch someone without asking first!" his mother reprimanded.

But the soldier only chuckled, keeping his head bowed, "It is quite alright. The little prince may touch if he wishes."

Lance's father set him down and with some encouragement Lance tentatively took a step forward. The Galra remained still, not moving a muscle. Even his tail laid at rest. Lance bravely took another step and reached up to touch the soft fur.

He liked how silky it felt between his fingers. Taking another deep, steadying breath, he stroked it a few times, letting the motion soothe him. He hiccuped.

"Would the little prince like some water?" the Galra asked softly.

Lance shook his head and continued his petting. "I like— hic —your ears."

"I like them too," he affirmed warmly. "They help me hear all the tiny sounds. Many people on Daibazaal have ears like this."

Lance's eyes grew round. Maybe Daibazaal wouldn't be so bad. "Really?"

"I will never lie to you, little prince," the owner of the ears assured him. "But wouldn't you like to see for yourself?"

Lance nodded.

"Would it be okay if I took you there?"

Unsure, Lance glanced back at his parents who wore complicated expressions. His father nodded encouragingly at him.

"Okay." Lance said.

"Okay," the Galra echoed. "Now kiss your queen mother and tell her that you love her."

His mother knelt to the floor, her eyes red and watery but she smiled at him, her cheeks pushing out new tears.

"I'm going to miss you, my little starlight," she whispered as she swallowed sobs.

Lance kissed her tear-wet cheek and tried to hid his confusion. He was doing the right thing, making her proud by 'fulfilling his duty' or whatever. So why was she so upset? "I love you, mama."

The queen took his round cheeks in her hands, thumbing over his blue Altean markings. It tickled, but not unpleasantly. "Mama loves you too. Say goodbye to your little sister."

Lance stroked his mother's tummy. His little sister must have known he was there because she kicked as she always did for him. "Goodbye, Rachel. I got some big-kid stuff I got to take care of." He placed a kiss on his mother's belly.

"That's right," his father said, sweeping him off his feet yet again. "You're going to show her what it means to be a big brother by protecting her."

Lance wasn't sure how he was supposed do that if he going to be galaxies away but he nodded his head all the same.

The Galra held out his hand. His fingers had claws instead of nails. "Are you ready, little prince?"

With one last questioning look back at his parents who nodded encouragingly despite the sorrow on their faces, Lance squared his shoulders and wrapped his tiny hand around one of the soldier's finger pads, unaware of just how much his life was about to change.