Summary: when the Voltron Force follows the Lions to Ariel, they discover than just Lions were built inside the Forge.
Discalimer: I don't own Voltron Force or the other Volron series. All original characters contained within are the property of their creators who have given me permission to use them.
0 - - 0 - 0 - -0
A couple days had passed since the discovery that twenty more Great Cats had been constructed alongside the Lions and the team was meeting to discuss what had been learnt in that time.
"So I've analyzed the images and information we collected inside the workshop at Ariel and have come to the conclusion that there appears to be four more Voltron's in existence as well as the Great Cats that unite to form them. From the images we can conclude that our Lions form one group while the four other groups consist of Tigers, Cheetahs, Leopards and Jaguars," Pidge reports.
"How were you able to identify each Great Cat?" Keith asks.
"Well the Tigers were the easiest; they appear to be stockier than the Lions with a distinct tiger strip pattern. The Cheetahs are slimmer, more streamlined and the information we collected indicates that they possess semi-retractable claws. Next was the Leopards, they possess shorter legs compared to the other Great Cats and possess distinctive spots or rosettes. Finally the Jaguars, they appear to be very similar in appearance to the Leopards but are sturdier and stockier in their body shape, also, judging from the images, the jaws appear to be the most powerful out of all the Great Cats," answers Pidge.
"No clues as to where they may be located?" Keith asks.
"No, my best guess is that they are here on Arus, they may have been hidden well since this is the first I've heard of any Great cats other than our Lions," answers Pidge.
"Actually that's not true, I've been reviewing all of the information my people have on the Great cats I believe that there may have been a misinterpretation various texts," states Allura.
"Really, like what?" Pidge asks turning to face Allura. Allura steps forward and opens up several pages of text.
"The Great Cats were brought to Arus, built by the union of the Five Planets that donated their strength. In times of need they would unite together to defend the universe," Allura quotes from one text. "For centuries Arusian scholars thought this meant referred to the five Lions being brought to Arus and that the five Lions would unite to form Voltron. However in light of recent developments it is now clear that the text was referring to all twenty-five Great Cats and their combined forms," states Allura.
"The Blacksmith did clearly state Defenders and Guardians," comments Pidge thoughtfully.
"This next text does mention the Guardians. The Guardians unite to maintain the balance of the elements and the universe. It was thought that this passage as referring to the Lions as the Guardians of each element, however Pidge's analysis of the Great Cats seems to imply that the Great Cats of each color or element can also unite. It is possible that these are the Guardians the Blacksmith mentioned," Allura continues to report.
"Makes sense why he implied a difference. The Defenders are formed from uniting the Great Cats of each species while the Guardians are formed from uniting the Great Cats of each element," adds Lance.
"Hey little-buddy, are all the Great Cats interchangeable?" Hunk asks.
"Theoretically it's possible, or they may only be able to unite if they are the same cat species or element," answers Pidge.
"How many combinations could be formed if they are interchangeable," Keith asks.
"If all of the Great cats are interchangeable and factoring each Cat being capable of forming the center. We have 9765625 possible combinations," replies Pidge. Lance whistle appreciatively at the number.
"That's a lot of Voltrons," comments Daniel.
"And a lot of Great cats and Pilots we need to find," states Pidge.
"Should I have Coran brief the Galaxy Alliance on this development Keith?" Allura asks him.
"No, we don't want word of these unknown Great Cats spreading. Lotor has already proven that he wishes to steal Voltron to have pilots loyal to him pilot them. If word reaches him that there are twenty more Great Cats out there he may seek to take them himself," replies Keith.
"And robeasts are hard enough," comments Vince.
"Until we have located all of the Great Cats we'll keep this information strictly top secret," Keith orders.
"What about pilots, we're going to need recruit more cadets to pilot all of these Cats?" asks Allura.
"That's easy, just recruit them the same way you recruited us, see who's stuck on latrine duty," jokes Daniel,
"Actually, I ran a program through the Academy's enrolment lists. The program flagged you two as possible cadets. After a couple of weeks of security checks, background checks and observing you both, Lance baited the two of you into detention in order to recruit you. Your recruitment was planned out a month in advance," states Pidge.
"Wait so you guys played us?" asks Vince.
"Like a guitar," confirms Lance smirking.
"Were there any other cadets flagged by your program?" Keith asks Pidge.
"Yeah one other, but the program was only searching through cadets attending the Earth campus of the Galaxy Alliance Flight Academy. This time I'll implement the program to search all of the campuses and academies to turn up more results," states Pidge.
"Widen the search to include current pilots, we may need some experienced pilots as well," Keith orders him.
"What about the cadet you flagged previously?" Allura asks.
"Hold on a moment I'll bring her file up. Eliza Kemuri, age 17," says Pidge bringing the academy record of the cadet on the main screen. An image of a teenage girl with red hair and silver eyes is seen. I actually know this girl, I lectured in a couple of her classes in the Information and Technology course. She seemed really smart, she was in the top ten of her class in that course," says Pidge.
"What else does her record say?" Allura asks Pidge.
"Uh, no living relatives, she's in the top ten for IT classes, top five in Piloting, she's doing well in Phys ed and her other classes but she's failing martial arts," answers Pidge.
"Pidge what was your opinion of her when you taught her?" Keith asks. Pidge shrugs.
"She was really quiet, didn't speak often but her test results and class work showed that she was incredibly smart," Pidge answers.
"Do you think she'd be a good pilot?" Lance asks.
"Yeah, if we work on her martial arts skills she has the makings of a good pilot," Pidge replies.
"Very well, Pidge, perform all necessary checks, if she clears them then you and Hunk will go and recruit her, until then, set up the program and let me know if it flags anyone else for consideration" Keith instructs him. Pidge nods and immediately sets to work further investigating Cadet Eliza Kemuri.
-0-
Eliza or Liz as she preferred felt pain shoot through her back as she was thrown onto the gym mat again by her sparring partner.
"Cadet Kemuri, you still lack strength and power in your strikes. While you have the speed and agility to dodge if you don't work on your strength you'll tire yourself out before you can defeat your opponent and you won't be able to overpower them," her teacher tells her. Liz blows a strand of hair that had worked free from her ponytail off her face as her sparring partner looks down on her smugly.
"Your such a loser Eliza, and weak, you might as well just leave the academy, you're gonna flunk out of martial arts anyway," teases the other girl. Liz frowns and gets up quickly resuming her fighting stance. "And you can't even be a teacher's pet any more, even he left," the girl continues to taunt Liz.
"Tech Sergeant Pidge had to return to Arus to pilot the Green Lion," Liz replies irritably.
"Oh did I strike a nerve," teases the girl, Liz punches forward to strike the girl, the girl take the punch and strikes back with a kick knocking Liz'a feet out from under her.
"I'd say you punch like a girl but that insults our entire gender," the girl taunts looking down on Liz,
"Alright, you two are done for today, next pair," says the teacher selecting the next students to practice.
-0-
Keith is sitting at his desk reviewing the report Pidge had compiled regarding the potential cadet Eliza Kemuri when his door chimes and Allura enters.
"Keith, I've been reviewing the various texts referring to possible locations to the Great cats, the text indicates that they were placed in locations that would reflect their natural elements. With this information I began reviewing topographical maps of Arus for locations similar to Blue Lion, from the various scans of the planet we can confirm that the cave that Blue Lion resides in is part of a larger network of underwater caves. I would like to take Larmina with me and explore the cave system. Also, Lance confirms that there are a network of lava tubes underneath Red Lion's volcano, he requests permission to take Daniel and Vince with him to search the string of volcanoes." Allura states. Keith nods.
"Allura, if your lead is correct then we may be able to reduce the search radius to locations around our Lions. You and Lance are to stay in contact with the castle at all times and report any evidence you find," Keith states. Allura nods and leaves.
-0-
Larmina looks out the window bored, the Lion's spotlights providing the only lights in the dark cavern.
"Do you see anything Larmina?" Allura asks her niece.
"Yeah, rocks, water and more rocks," replies Larmina sarcastically.
"Well we've reached the end of this tunnel, there isn't anything here. We'll have to double back and try entering the cave system from another entrance.
"It can't be that hard to find giant robot cats," complains Larmina.
"Since there has been no sign of them for centuries they must be well hidden," replies Allura. Larmina sighs heavily.
-0-
Red Lion flies over a neighboring volcano to Red Lion's. Inside Lance's patience is wearing thin.
"I spy with my little eye, something starting with 'L'" says Daniel, boredom coloring his tone.
"It's Lava isn't it?" replies an equally bored Vince
"Well there is nothing else here to see," complains Daniel.
"Would you to cut it out, I'm this close to hitting the eject button on you two," says a clearly irritated Lance. "Well there's nothing here, next volcano," says Lance.
"Wait!" says Vince, a familiar glow emanating from his eyes. "Down there, I sense something," says Vince pointing the side of the volcano. Lance scans the surface and notices signs of a partially collapsed lava tube. He aims Red Lion's tail laser at the collapsed lava tube and fires melting the side of the volcano until the hole is large enough for Red Lion to enter.
"Hey Keith, we may have found something, I'm going in closer for a look," says Lance into his voltcom.
Lance slowly descends close to the entrance and scans the lava tube. The scanners detect a large metallic object inside. Lance, Daniel and Vince share a look. Red Lion slowly enters the lava tube illuminating the cavernous space. Red Lion's spot lights fall on a large cat shaped robot. The Great Cat is a deep red with silver rosettes or spots along its body.
"Hey guys, we found one, not sure if it's the Leopard or the Jaguar," says Lance.
"Hold on Lance, I'll reroute your communication to Pidge, he and Hunk are on route to Earth to recruit Cadet Kemuri," says Keith over the com system.
"Hey Lance, you found one!" exclaims Pidge excitedly.
"Yep, not sure which one it is though," says Lance.
"This is great, since we found one we can assume that the others do in fact exist in locations similar to our Lions. Lance, describe this Great Cat," Pidge instructs him.
"It's got those rosette spotty things, it's a bit stockier than our Lions and its jaw looks a bit bigger," Lance says describing the Great Cat in front of him.
"This is great, Lance you found one of the Jaguars," says Pidge excitedly.
"Alright what should I do?" Lance asks.
"Lance, return to base for now, when Hunk and Pidge return we'll set out and extract and retrieve it," says Keith. Lance agrees and takes note of the Jaguar's GPS location.
"Good work Vince, keep this up and we might find them all," says Lance happily.
-0-
The classroom is filled with quiet murmuring as various students complete their class work. The school's P.A system suddenly cuts through everyone.
"Could Cadet Eliza Kemuri please come to the Commodore's office immediately" says the automated voice. Liz looks up confused wondering what would require her to visit the Commodore's office. Several other girls start whispering and throwing her looks which she ignores as she turns her monitor off and leaves class.
-0-
Liz is shocked when she enters the Commodore's office when she sees Tech sergeants Pidge and Hunk of Voltron Force sitting on one of the offices couches obvious waiting.
"Good to see you Cadet Kemuri. You're probably wondering why I called you to my office, well Tech Sergeants Pidge and Hunk requested to meet with you," says the Commandant Bruce Kafer greeting her and explaining why she was called. The Commandant turns to the two Voltron pilots. "If you would excuse me I have some staff members to talk to, feel free to use my office," says the Commandant getting up and leaving the room.
"It's good to see you again Cadet Kemuri, Hunk and I are here because we want to talk to you about joining the Voltron Force," says Pidge
"Me?" says Liz surprised.
"Yep, we're recruiting some new pilots and Pidge said you'd make a great addition to Voltron," confirms Hunk.
'Pidge wants me to join Voltron?' thinks Liz shocked, "I don't know what to say," says Liz.
"How bout yes," suggests Hunk.
"Yes!" she exclaims happily. She'd never thought she'd be asked to join Voltron, and certainly not by her crush. She could still remember every class Pidge had lectured and had admired his intelligence and how hard he worked to help every student. When he left the academy to resume piloting Green Lion she didn't think she'd ever see him again but here he is asking her to join Voltron. She couldn't be happier.
-0-
Larmina gave another deep sigh, which was starting to annoy her aunt.
"Auntie, can we please go back to the castle, Lance already found one, isn't one enough for today?" complains Larmina.
"The sooner we find all of them the sooner we can start figuring out what to do with them and get you cadets trained and into the other Great Cats," replies Allura gazing ahead as she pilots the Blue Lion into another underwater cave amongst a large reef. Allura's eye widen as a glimmer of light reflects off something deep inside the cave. She turns the Blue Lion's spot lights on as she enters the cave.
"We may have found another one here; it appears that the reef was concealing the entrance to a cave. There is a reflective surface inside," says Allura notifying te others of her discovering.
"Excellent, go in for a closer look," Keith commands her.
The blue Lion enters the cave and approaches the being inside, as they get closer both women are able to confirm the presence of a Great Cat. Its deep blue and bright silver tiger stripes clearly identifying which Great Cat it is.
"Keith, it's the Blue Tiger, however, there aren't any energy signatures coming from it. I believe that it's dormant. We'll need to move it manually," Allura reports.
"Very well, return to the castle, we'll arrange an extraction for Blue Tiger when we recover Red Jaguar," says Keith. Larmina whoops with joy glad to be heading home as Blue Lion turns around and exits the underwater cave. Neither woman noticed the Blue Tiger stirring.
0 - - 0 - 0 - -0
Hello again.
Firstly, a thank you again to E.M Blaine for firstly serving as beta reader form me and more importantly for creating the character of Eliza (Liz) Kemuri for me and for allowing me to use her in my story, I hope you all come to love her.
If anyone else would like to contribute an OC please PM me some details, name, age, appearance, personality/background etc etc.
If I can ask a question of everybody, Raelee514 informed me that the Green Lion's element was Wind not Flora (plant life) like I'd initially thought, if anyone else knows where the Lion's elements are clearly identified please PM me so I can confirm this and make the appropriate changes.
I hope you are enjoying my story.
Your Loveable Tiger