Voltrex - Welcome to Season 2! And you already know the Drule threat is widespread...

KathDMD - You know how sorry I am for the delay in getting this posted. I'm hoping you enjoy it, and are happy to see how the cliffhanger from last season turned out.

Author's Note - The season premier of "Voltron Legacy" is finally here! I hope everyone enjoys it, and looks forward to seeing what happens to the Force next! As a theme for this episode, however, I have chosen a song by an artist unknown to most people reading this. Believe me, it fits.

Theme Music : Every Time I Close My Eyes, by JC Gregorowicz

Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. A small segment of story was pulled directly from "The Sincerest Form of Flattery", owned by WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins is the property of KathDMD.

Episode 27 : Whatever It Takes

JC and Seth were busy packing up their belongings, getting ready to move out of the Academy dorms.

"Dude," Seth said, "you seem off since last night. What's going on?"

"She's gone, dude," JC replied. "I don't even know why."

"Who?" Seth asked.

"Roxy," he replied. "She met me last night at the park outside the courtyard." He let out a nervous chuckle. "I professed my undying love for her."

"And what did she say?" Seth asked.

"She didn't say much of anything," JC replied. He zipped up one of his duffle bags, then turned to Seth and held up a flat, oval object in front of him…the key to Jet Red.

"Is that what I think it is?" Seth said, looking at it funny. "Dude….what the hell did you do?"

"I didn't do anything!" he shouted back. "She wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise!"

"Sounds like Roxy," he replied. "Did she say where she was going?"

"Home," JC replied. "She's going home to Arus. She's quitting the force and going home."

"She does know there's no replacement, right?" Seth said.

"That's why I'm going to Space Marshall Hawkins in a bit," JC replied. "She needs to know what's going on. Maybe she even knows more than we do about the situation."

"Well, good luck with that," Seth replied. "I just don't understand why she would up and leave. I mean…she loves you, and heck, I KNOW you love her."

"I can't help it," JC replied. "And other than trying to find out why, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Well," Seth said, "since you're going to see the Space Marshall, and we are in a lull state since freeing Quantus from the Supremacy, maybe she'll let you go to Arus and get the answers you're looking for." JC sighed.

"I have nothing left to lose, dude," he replied, placing Red's key back in his pocket. "I need her."

Roxy carried her bags off the shuttle and walked slowly towards the castle. She stopped for a moment before crossing the bridge across the lake, and let out a huge sigh. She continued across the bridge and into the castle. Upon entering the Great Hall, she was greeted by Coran, who was the first to hear of her arrival.

"Aroxia," he said, "what are you doing back here? By the looks of your bags, it doesn't appear you are visiting."

"I left," she replied. "I can't be there. Personal reasons."

"Tell me they didn't kick you out," he said. "You just graduated from the Academy."

"I know," she replied. "It was nothing like that, Ambassador."

"Aroxia," he replied, "you don't need to be formal while you are here."

"I actually want to speak to Lieutenant McClain," she said. "Is he around?"

"I was looking for him earlier," Coran replied. "The computer says he was located in the castle elevator, but it doesn't seem to be working properly.

"As much as I would hate climbing them," Lance said approaching them, "I wish they'd put stairs in this place!" He walked up to Roxy and looked her up and down. "Hey, kiddo! What brings you here?" He looked around at her bags. "Not running away from anything, are you?" She frowned at him.

"I'm here to apply for your job, McClain," she replied. "Honestly, you laughed at me when I told you I didn't want to be part of your little cadet squad. I graduated from the Academy. Now…" she looked him dead in the eye, standing about as tall as he was. "I want in."

"Whoa there, Rocket," he said with a laugh. "You know damn well I ain't giving up Red anytime soon."

"That's not what I heard," she replied. "When the Arus campus of the Academy is finished, I heard you're taking the position there as headmaster." She gave him a sly look. "And you know damn well I'm good in red." He smirked back.

"Well played, Rocket Girl," he replied. "But even with how quickly things are moving, that's still gonna be a while."

"It'll give me some time to beat the learning curve," she said.

"That's all well and good," he replied, "but what about 'Jet Voltron'? You didn't just up and tell Space Marshall Hawkins, 'Oh by the way, I'm ditching the team to return to Arus.'?"

"Actually," she said sheepishly, "I didn't tell her at all."

"Gone AWOL," he said laughing. "While that's absolutely flacking hilarious, I'm positive she's not gonna be happy at all with this."

"I had to go," she replied.

"Come on," Lance said. "Let's get you unpacked. You can tell me on the way up." The doors to the elevator opened up, and he hesitated a moment before entering. "Sorry, lately this thing has been doing some crazy things." The elevator doors closed behind them.

JC walked up to the door of the Space Marshall's office. He went to knock on the door when a voice inside called to him.

"Enter," Lenora said. JC opened the door, and looked at the Space Marshall from across the room, going through a fair amount of paperwork. "Please, Lieutenant, have a seat." JC walked up to her desk and sat down.

"How did you know I was coming?" JC asked.

"Because I'm the Space Marshall," she said. She looked up from her paperwork and smirked. "I know Truvall's gone AWOL."

"She's gone to Arus," he replied.

"I know," she said. "The only reason I didn't stop her is because I know Lieutenant McClain will keep an eye on her for me. Well, that, and I knew you'd come looking for her."

"With all due respect, Space Marshall," he replied, "my feelings for Lieutenant Truvall are not…"

"Relevant?" she asked. "Everything between the two of you is relevant, Lieutenant. You think I don't pay attention? It's my job. That aside though, you know she, to my knowledge, is the only person able to power on and pilot Jet Red. It's in our best interests to get her back."

"She has a right to do what she wants, ma'am," he replied. "If she thinks she needs to up and leave for whatever reason, as long as she's not violating any regulations or laws, she's perfectly within her rights."

"She's AWOL, Lieutenant," she said. "Honestly, I could have her tracked down and brought to a court-martial hearing. But I thought it would be a better idea to let you talk some sense into her first."

"What makes you think she's gonna listen to me?" JC asked.

"Because you're the Force Leader," she replied. "That, and the fact she's crazy about you." JC put his hand over his face.

"Alright," he said, "what do you want me to do?" he asked.

"First of all," she replied, "I'm gonna have to ask you to hand over Jet Red's key."

"How did you…" he asked.

"I told you," she replied, "I'm the Space Marshall. I'm gonna have to break some news to the High Council…just not all of it. I really don't want to see her court-martialed. She's a sweet girl, and one heck of an officer. The High Council, however, will want to make sure Project Defender is not a failure in the eyes of the public. They don't see what goes on here, but are damned quick to point out our mistakes. I'm going to try to find someone that could replace her, but I'm really hoping that you will be able to convince her to return. If you can, I promise, disciplinary action won't be so severe."

"Understood, ma'am," he replied. He got up to leave.

"Lieutenant," she said. He stopped and turned. "Can I say something? Off the record, of course."

"Yes, Space Marshall?" he asked.

"I've seen her records," she replied. "I've seen her scores, and I've watched her fight like hell to make it to where she is. She knows damn well what she's throwing away…and there's few reasons why someone would do that. She's scared. Look, Grend, everyone at the Academy knows how you feel about her. Your actions scream it. If she's running from something like that, there has to be reason." She leaned in and looked him in the eye. "Don't let yourself believe you're that reason." Her eyes blinked a few times, and he nodded in agreement, then handed her the key to Jet Red. "Dismissed." He saluted her, then walked out of the office. As soon as the door closed, she let out a sigh, then continued rustling through her paperwork.

The Planet Orinas was the only place left to escape for the Derinja, the last of the Drule presence in the Middle Universe. With their great leader vanquished and their home planet utterly destroyed by the Gladiator Voltron of Planet Terra, the remainder of the Derinja seek to rebuild what is left of their kingdom. As their council began a meeting, a ship quickly approached their base.

"General Dari," one of the officers said, "our scanners have detected an incoming ship. We were going to shoot it down, but it seems that it is a command ship sent from the Supremacy."

"Too little too late," replied Dari. "Voltron not only destroyed our homeworld, they killed my father." She balled her hand into fist. "If I had the resources, I would crush them the same way they crushed Deram!"

"And you'll have your chance!" a voice came from the outer hallway. Dari turned to see a Drule woman approaching her.

"Who are you?" Dari asked. "Have you been sent by the Supremacy to check up on us?"

"Not necessarily to check up," she replied. "But I would be a liar if I hadn't heard of Deram's destruction."

"Don't remind me," Dari said. "Every day my father's voice doesn't echo in these halls is a haunting reminder of what Voltron has taken from me!"

"The legend of Voltron has scarred the entire Supremacy," the woman replied. "While we cannot underestimate the power of these Alliance forces, they are nothing more than fools! That is why I am here to not only help you rebuild your forces, but to enact a plan to wipe the very legend for the memory of the entire universe!"

"This sounds too good to be true," Dari said. "But it sounds as foolish as the legend itself."

"Believe me," the woman replied, "if it wasn't for the information I was able to aquire from a few special slaves serving on Planet Mobius, I would feel the same as you. But sometimes even legends have their basis in truth. Destroy the legend, and you destroy Voltron."

"Who are you?" Dari asked. The woman laughed.

"I am Commander Twyla," she replied. "But once I have finally defeated Voltron, you and the entire Supremacy will call me Empress!" She laughed maniacally.

"So it's over a boy, eh?" Lance said jokingly.

"Lance," she replied, "this isn't a joke. Since my mother died, I've wanted nothing more than to stop the Supremacy. What they did to me is unforgivable. You know what I went through growing up in the caves. You were the one that saved me from those caves. You know damn well you're like a brother to me. That's the only reason I'm telling you this." She looked him in the eye. "I can't let my feelings get in the way of my command or my station. It could put those that reply on me at serious risk."

"That's kinda part of the job, Rocket," he replied. "We all know what we're getting in to. You know that from the Academy. You can't expect there not to be risks."

"Not with someone I care that much about," she replied.

"And you don't care about me?" he chuckled. "Thought you said I was like a brother to you?"

"Well soon you'll be out of harm's way too," she replied. "Then I won't be so worried."

"Roxy girl," he said, "you still don't get it. There will always be someone putting their lives on the line for you. Moreso, you're gonna be putting your life on the line for others. You think I wanna see my lil' sis smashed into paste by a robeast?"

"Of course not," she replied. "But you know that won't happen."

"You can live in denial all you like," he replied. "But if you're serious about training to pilot a lion, you may as well get started by becoming aquainted with the...ahem...learning facilities."

"I'm well trained," she said, "and almost as good a pilot as you. Maybe better. You know it."

"That may be, Lieutenant," he replied, "but you still got alot to learn. Tell ya what, how about we take a quick run in Red? I'm taking Danny Boy out with me on patrol as part of his practice. You can finally show me some of that piloting skill you keep bragging about."

"I'll do more than that!" she said confidently. They entered the control room, and Lance picked up the key for Red and handed it to her.

"What took ya so long, Lance?" Daniel asked, smirking. "Hey there, Roxy. What are you doing here?"

"Giving you a run for your money," she replied. "Want a little lesson in speed?"

"You're on!" he shouted, grabbing the key to Black.

"Slow down, kids," Lance said. "Wait...did I just say that? Ugh." Roxy smirked, and the three ran for the chutes.

JC pulled a lever and activated forward thrusters to slow his descent into Arus' atmosphere. He looked on at the Castle of Lions and sighed.

"What kinda mess have you gotten yourself into now, Truvall?" he said to himself. "What are you so afraid of?" Jet Black landed carefully in front of the castle. The cockpit opened, and he leaped from it. Landing on the ground, he was met by Ambassador Coran and the Prince-Consort Keith Kogane.

"Lieutenant Grend," Keith said. "It's good to see you. And congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you, Commander," JC replied, saluting. "You knew I was coming?"

"Not exactly," he replied. "I knew Lieutenant Truvall was coming, and knew it wasn't under orders from the Garrison. Knowing the Space Marshall as well as I do..." He smirked. "...I knew she'd send someone to get her."

"I was actually hoping to talk some sense into her," JC said. Where is she?"

"She's out training with Lance and Daniel," Keith replied. "As soon as they return, I'll let them know of your arrival." Suddenly they heard a whooshing sound, followed by laser fire. "That's not part of training. They're not even near here." He pulled back his sleve and pressed a button on his voltcom. "Pidge, are you watching the scanners?"

"Keith," Pidge replied, "the scanners are showing one of the Supremacy command ships, being escorted by a monstrous robeast!"

"Notify Hunk, Larmina and Vince," Keith replied. "We'll need to coordinate a defense. Put the castle defense on high alert."

"Way ahead of you!" Pidge replied, ending the transmission.

"I better get in the air," JC said, turning to run for his ship.

"Without the others," Keith replied, "you're no match for the robeast."

"Truvall's up there," he replied. "That's all the reason I need to try." JC climbed into the ship and blasted off, heading towards the laser fire.

"Think you can keep up?" Daniel said, rocketing ahead in Black Lion.

"Be careful what you wish for," she replied. "There's only room for one speed demon on this team!" She pushed Red to the limit and beyond, and breezed past black easily.

"Easy there, Rocket Girl," Lance said. "How about that? ME giving YOU a lesson in self-control!" He laughed.

"That's only half the battle, Lance," she replied. In one quick motion, she reversed thrusters, allowed Black to pass, and fired light missiles at hit, shaking up Daniel.

"Hey!" Daniel shouted. "You said nothing about target practice!"

"Someone's gotta keep you guys sharp," Roxy replied, smirking. Suddenly, she was jolted by laser fire, and nearly spun out of control.

"You got this, Rox?" Lance asked.

"I'm fine," she replied, steadying out Red. "Daniel, what the heck are you doing?"

"That wasn't me!" he yelled back. "It's a robeast!" They looked at the scanners and indeed saw a large robeast with the head of a horse, the mane of a lion, and the wings of a fierce dragon.

"Damn that thing is all kinds of ugly!" Roxy shouted. She turned her head. "Permission to engage, sir?" she said smugly to Lance.

"Only because you asked nicely," he replied with a smirk. "Daniel, Let the rest of the team know what's going on and have them rendezvous with us here."

"Got it!" Daniel replied.

"Let's see if it's as dumb as it is ugly," Lance said to Roxy. Roxy smirked.

"Firing stingray missiles!" Roxy shouted. Missiles fired at the beast. He stopped, and it's mane lashed the missiles and launched them back at Red and Black. Both were knocked backwards, but were able to regain control.

"Sorry," she said.

"No way," Lance replied. "This thing is crazy. Avoid the mane. Aim for the body." Daniel let loose a barrage of missiles which knocked the robeast back, but seemed to have no effect.

"It isn't working," Daniel said. "Any other ideas?" The robeast fired lasers from its eyes and hit black, sending him tunbling to the ground. It then launched it's mane, grabbing on to Red and squeezing it.

"The pressure is building!" Roxy shouted. "It's not letting go!"

"Come on, girl," Lance said quietly to the lion. "Hold it together." Just then, the mane was slashed by a flying laser-imposed sword, freeing Red Lion. Roxy managed to back off and fly away from it.

"Need a hand?" JC said, firing his aft lasers at the beast. They had little effect.

"Grend!" Roxy shouted, half nervous, half angry. "What the flack are you doing here?"

"Not now," he replied. 'The others are coming. I'm gonna try to distract it while you form Voltron."

"This isn't your fight, Grend!" Roxy shouted. "Just leave before…" The robeast fired on Jet Black, and sent it spiraling to the ground. "JC!" Roxy pushed Red hard, dodging laser fire, heading for the ground at near hypermach speeds.

"Ease up, Truvall!" Lance said. "Red can take the speed, but pulling out of this dive is gonna be…." Roxy wrenched the controls hard, and sure enough, Red Lion grabbed Jet Black and set it carefully on the ground.

"You were saying?" Roxy said.

"Roxy, Lance, the others are here," Daniel shouted. "Get into formation!"

"On my way!" she replied taking off. JC began his restart sequence.

"You're not getting rid of me that easily, Truvall," he said to himself.

"Activate interlocks!" Daniel shouted. "Dynotherms connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters are go!"

"Let's go Voltron Force!" they shouted. The lions flew in formation, and the energy field took hold as the lions transformed, and ready to connect.

"Form feet and legs!" Daniel shouted. "Form arms and body! And I'll form the head!" Voltron's eyes lit up. It powered up, the lions one at a time letting out a mighty roar.

"Let's heat things up!" Roxy shouted.

"Ignite lion torches!" Daniel shouted. Voltron reached out and shot flames from Red and Green at the robeast, catching it's mane on fire. It became enraged and tackled Voltron out of the sky to the ground. Voltron kicked up, sending the robeast flying over him, landing on the ground several hundred yards away. Both got to their feet.

"Controls are a little stiff," Roxy said. Lance snickered. Roxy sighed.

"What we need is a little Kick Butt Boost!" Larmina shouted, connecting her Voltcom to the console. Voltron powered up. The Robeast charged, and Voltron let loose with a quick right, then a left, then an uppercut with a right, sending the robeast flying into the air, finishing off with a spin kick that sent the robeast flying away and to the ground again.

"Let's finish this off, team!" Daniel shouted. "Form Blazing Sword!" Voltron put his hands together, then pulled apart, and the energy beam formed the sword. He pulled the sword back and Green Lion let out a mighty roar. Voltron leaped into the air and went to swing, but the robeast fired a laser from its eyes and stopped Voltron, suspending him in mid air.

"We can't shake loose!" Vince said, trying to work the controls.

"None of the controls are responding!" Larmina said. Just then, laser fire blasted the robeast in the eyes. Jet Black swooped by, shattering both eyes of the robeast with laser fire. As the beam broke, Voltron came down on the robeast, slicing through its head and chest, the swinging outward, getting back to his feet. As he turned around, he brandished the sword as the robeast exploded.

"Thanks, JC!" Daniel said.

"No problem," he replied. "Meet you back at the castle." Jet Black flew back towards the castle. Roxy tightened her grip on the controls, angrily watching the ship fade into the distance.

Roxy walked into the Great Hall with Lance, but before she walked down the steps, they turned to see JC at the bottom.

"Truvall," he said, "I need to have a word with you."

"There's nothing I need to say to you," she replied. Lance, however, nudged her towards the steps.

"I think you do," he said. "I'll be in the control room." He whistled as he walked away. She slowly came down the steps and walked up to JC.

"Fine," she said. "Here I am. What do you want to say?"

"I'm not sure what I want to say," he replied. "I just want to know why you left. I want to know how I could say what I said that night, and you just up and leave."

"I told you," she said softly, "I can't be loved."

"Who says that?" he asked.

"I did!" she barked. Her eyes teared up. "You still don't get it. I can't get close to you, JC. I can't get close to anyone. Everyone I ever care about ends up dead!"

"I'm not everyone," he replied. "I'm yours." He grabbed her hand, placing her palm against his. They stood face to face, staring into one another's eyes. "I know what happened to your parents. I understand the horrible things you've been through. But Roxy…I'm not gonna go away. I'm not gonna let you go and lose you. And I will never…" He and her looked at their hands, their palms touching, fingers spread apart and feeling one another's warmth. They turned their stare back to each other. "NEVER….let anyone or anything take me from you." Her tears began to flow faster.

"I need time," she said.

"You have all the time in the world," he replied. "And when you're ready to accept me…all of me…I'll be right there next to you. I won't let go." She leaned in, and their heads tilted, their lips meeting gently in a kiss. Their hands finally folded into one another, as they pressed harder, and kissed deeper. And all at once, the entire world vanished. To them, at least for that moment, everything was exactly as they always dreamed it to be…perfect.