#ivebeenthinkingtoomuch

Edit: Changed Theory to Thought because I didn’t mean for this idea to be considered literally, it was just something to think of. Like a head cannon or something, not sure what you people call it. Edit over

Not sure if this has been said it and if not, glad I’m the first. And I may not be, I’m sure other people have thought this so hey to those people.

But anyway, here’s a theory. Lotor is James. Let me explain.

Where was Lotor when Zarkon was ruling? Just exploring space? Working in an area? 

OR

Was Lotor actually on Earth?

The thought came to me when I remembered Allura changing to a Galra. Then I remembered Haggar, being Altean as well until she was hit with quintessence. So I then thought with Haggar’s powers, she could change Lotor to a human. Why you may ask? As you can see, Haggar always had that side that she cared about him. Him, being her son, though, that disappeared in her head while she was helping with Zarkon and working on dark magic. After being with Zarkon though and actually thinking, it was shown Haggar was Zarkon’s wife and Lotor was their son. Surely Zarkon didn’t forget. Likely, they had Lotor around when Allura was born. I mean, Zarkon remembered being king, the alteans and Alfor. He wouldn’t forget Lotor. But would he want Lotor? No.

Zarkon probably wanted to kill of Lotor. Zarkon wanted to rule forever obviously. He didn’t believe he would ever die. Lotor saved himself but Haggar helped as well, even though Lotor probably didn’t think of it as much. Lotor doesn’t believe that she is his mother, remember that.

Anyway, back to my point. In order for Lotor to be saved, Haggar had to send him away. She told Zarkon that he would in order to receive information about humans on Earth and how to conquer it. Haggar used her magic to turn Lotor as a human, telling him his new name would be James.

What are you talking about Angelo? Don’t you remember James being a kid? Punching Keith?

Yes, I remember that. That’s what I forgot to point out. Lotor was young when he went on this misson. I mean, did you see Haggar having flashbacks of Lotor growing older? Not much. James, during the summer where he would have school off, would go and visit Haggar, tell her information about the Garrison. It helped out with the technology for the Galra. Lotor was planned to stay there for years, which Zarkon had ordered, to keep him away but to also use him by the information Lotor was giving Zarkon. 

Now, remember those times Keith saved Lotor and Lotor saved Keith?

Here’s something juicy.

Keith knew about James being Lotor. With James and Keith’s rivarly going on, it went so bad before that James eyes turned yellow like Keith’s in s7 when he was fighting with Shiro. Remember how “Shiro” said “That’s the Keith I remember!” Probably because Shiro saw him turn like this before but not as bad. So when young Keith saw young James’ eyes, that’s when Keith opened up a bit to James by saying “You’re just like me.” Lotor/James was denying it at first but after Keith revealing his eyes, Lotor/James knew he could trust him. So they had kept their rivalry going on for awhile but also saving each other.

The fact that Keith had to keep this a secret was heartbreaking but he did it. He became distant, realizing that Allura and Lotor would become a thing yet saved his life, risking his own after the bomb happened that the Blades had put in order to stop the next Galra to become leader. After seeing what Lotor was doing in s6 though, that’s when he, Romelle, and his mom came back to the team, to tell them about Lotor’s experiment. 

After the fight with Voltron and Lotor, it was known Lotor was dead and the team. Team wasn’t dead though. Was Lotor fully dead? Or was he saved?

There would have been a chance Lotor was saved by Haggar and tried fixing him with her magic. Lotor couldn’t be seen though as a leader, even though Lotor argued that he should get back to his throne until Haggar mentioned the Galra planning on attacking Earth. Lotor/James loved Earth so he decided to stay there and fight off the Galra from there. Remember that Haggar hasn’t been seen during season 7. That was because Haggar was either the admiral, Sanda, or was with Lotor but in a home, as a human or just herself. Wasn’t found though, of course. 

When James had that moment with Keith, staring at him as he took off his helmet, that was some connection, wasn’t it? Then Keith gave a confused look but didn’t say anything. 

That’s because Keith, knowing James is Lotor, was surprised seeing him alive but so was James/Lotor. Both of them thought the other was dead. James had thought Keith would have said something but he didn’t, walking off as Keith looked at him.

James/Lotor still tries to do the right thing. He tries to redeem himself. But exposing himself as Lotor to everyone, everyone would think of him as an enemy and will probably look at Keith for help. Keith might side with him or Keith will stay silent.