Guest - An epidemic, no. But it will leave a lasting impression I'm sure.

Cilla8 - The ring goes back to old episodes of Voltron legacy, where Kerza was introduced. Its going to lead into things that will occur on Earth in that series. As for Blue's infection, I'm hoping as much as you do that Vince can find a cure. Will it be in this episode?

cubbieBlueMako - Legendary Defender is going to be a reimagining, and I'm just as excited about it. I know I haven't been as motivated to write anything lately, but when I do, I always hope it's something fans of both my writing and of the Voltron Franchise will enjoy just as much.

Author's Note - I apologize for not getting this out sooner. It seems like I've been deserted, more or less, by inspiration. I'll try to continue to write, but it may take me longer to get things out than I used to.

My muse is gone.

Theme Music : None

Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD. Admiral Lysette Fabrere and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.

Episode 209 : "Seed of Evil"

The halls of Castle Doom echoed with the sound of bats and vultureforms that scavenged the planetoid for food. Normally they remained among the caves surrounding the Pit of Skulls, but the lack of fresh meat drove them to look elsewhere for their next meal. However, they steered clear of the room in the uppermost floor of the castle, as an evil greater than that in the castle dungeon emanated from that room, and the lord of all Drules continued to exude his will upon the entire universe. There, his gaze fell upon the door to his throne room, and a single form, hunched forward, entered slowly. He sensed her fear immediately.

"Another failure," Lord Kanjii said, his voice booming through the castle. "Is there nothing I can trust you with, lamia?"

"You of all people realize the power behind the Defender," she replied carefully. "While I did not expect defeat, I sense this defeat was not obtained lightly, and without consequence to our enemy."

"The Earthlings have released our Drule brothers from my control," he said through gritted teeth. "The Terrans continue to defy the Old Ones, and I receive nothing but excuses from the sole ruler of the Second Kingdom on her quest to secure Yolon. What consequence could possibly outweigh the failure at my very doorstep?"

"The Blue Lion still has my own blood running through its veins," she replied. "During the battle, and through its defeat, I have felt it. Though power that once was mine was stolen by the Defender, the part of me left to rot in the Quasar is slowly destroying him from the inside out. It is only a matter of time before the pilots succumb to the madness as well."

"I briefly felt it as well," he replied, standing up. "I dismissed it in my current state. If what you say is true, then continuing to challenge the Defender of Arus may prove to be its undoing. For as the rage consumes them all, Voltron will fall as it did before. And then I shall finally go unchallenged to claim victory over this universe once and for all."

"To further this," Haggar continued, "I have come up with yet another plan."

"I'm listening," he replied, staring her down. She lowered her head momentarily in fear and reverence, then looked up at him again.

"Several years ago," she said, "the occult scientist from Callum assisting the human Sky Marshall, Maahox, harvested my evil energies from the Quasar, and grafted it into the DNA of malevolent plant life that once overtook the planet Flora. Only one tree sprung from the seeds he scattered on the planet, and from it, a seemingly limitless amount of evil energy….MY energy…grew into the fruit it produced. A tree deadly to Voltron."

"If I remember correctly," Lord Kanjii said, "his plan ultimately failed."

"Not entirely, my lord," she replied. "They managed to eliminate the tree and its roots, but not all of the seeds." An unusual grin appeared on her haggered face. "Not only do I have one of those seeds in my possession, we have something that Maahox did not….me." She cackled. "I will not only alter the tree so it is impervious to the cold, but I will enhance it in ways that will make you squeal in delight! If Voltron comes in contact with this new creation, he will be powerless! The evil energies will further turn the Defender against itself, and rid us of it once and for all!" She continued to cackle, Cova nearby letting out a loud screeching meow.

Allura's eyes fluttered open, and as her vision slowly changed from a blurry darkness to utter clarity, her love came into focus. Her smile gave him a pause of relief.

"Welcome back," Keith said to her with a smile, hovering over her from bedside. She slowly got up, regaining her bearings, and noticed she had been moved to their private quarters.

"I'm sorry I have worried you," she said.

"Don't be sorry," he replied. "It's not your fault. It's the connection to Blue."

"I know that can't be helped," she said. "I only hope that Vince is able to find a way to stop the infection, and that the connection hasn't affected Sven."

"I'm more worried about you," he said, taking her into his arms. She smiled as he hugged her, then gave her a gentle kiss.

"Any further actions from the Drules?" she asked. He stood up and turned from her.

"Forgive me, Allura," he said, "I just received word that Kerza and Malva escaped in the chaos."

"Escaped?" she asked. "How?"

"I am to understand they tricked the guard," he replied. "They fled in one of the fractals on the launch pad."

"Do we know where they are headed?" she asked.

"Their last apparent course was for the Solar System in the Near Universe," he replied. "Earth. I have already sent word to Galaxy Garrison to be on watch, though they apparently are having their own issues with the Drules as of late."

"Then perhaps we should…." She started to say, but Keith's voltcom beeped. He tapped the button and held it closer to his face.

"Kogane here," he said.

"Keith," Vince said, "Could you meet me in the repair bay? I have some news."

"Can't you just tell me?" he asked.

"Well," Vince said, "it's kinda more of a 'show' than 'tell'," he replied. Keith looked at Allura, and she nodded, non-verbally acknowledging him to go.

"I'm on my way," Keith replied, then ended the com. He looked at Allura. "Promise me you'll rest some more. Nanny will care for Alex and Rory until you are stronger. Hopefully Vince's news is promising."

"I promise," she replied. "Get going. And once you're finished with Vince, please check on Larmina and let me know how she is doing. I sense Blue's connection to her is becoming stronger, and while I'd normally welcome that as a good thing….I'm afraid for her." Keith nodded and left the room. She relaxed into the bed, turning to her side and pulling the comforter up to her face, wrapping the fabric in her arms, then closed her eyes.

Keith walked into the repair bay to find Vince connecting his Voltcom to an access port beneath Blue's armored plating. Daniel stood nearby observing.

"You sure you want to try this?" Daniel asked. "The last time, you got knocked on your butt."

"Relax, dude," Vince replied. "There's still a lot we don't know about Voltron. But my power is our best shot at better understanding it. Besides, I think I might know what triggered the security protocols last time."

"I hope so," Daniel said. "We can't afford to have a lion running off."

"I agree," Keith said, approaching them. "Is this what you wanted to discuss with me?"

"Yes….no….well, sorta," Vince replied. "Allura was able to decode some of the ancient Arusian text we discovered in the Forge. It's almost like a complete manual on Voltron. While we couldn't decipher everything, I was able to make sense of some of the things Allura shared with me. While we already know that each lion is linked to a particular element, the elements are a part of a greater whole."

"How will that allow you to rid Blue of the infection?" Keith asked.

"If I can access the Nexus," he replied, "I can use my Voltcom power to draw the infection out permanently. It's because the haggarium is festering inside of it that no matter how many times I try to draw it out of Blue's systems, it always returns. In fact, it seems to be getting stronger, as if it's feeding of the power generated by the Nexus."

"Are you sure you can do it?" Keith asked.

"No," Vince said, "but if I don't try and find a way soon, it will completely overtake Blue. And if it does, there's a chance Allura and Larmina may become fully infected as well."

Two hoverbikes raced across the fields in the Arusian countryside. The one behind pulled up quickly along side the one in front.

"Glad I'm getting out of the castle for a bit," Larmina shouted. "I think all I really need is a bit of fresh air."

"Not gonna see much action heading out to check on your good friend Barmy," Daniel snarked.

"He's NOT my friend," Lamina snapped. "But we need to keep tabs on citizens of Altaire far and wide. Kinda my responsibility."

"There's something new," Daniel laughed. "Taking your role seriously?"

"That's enough," she snapped. "We're almost there." They pulled up to a shack near the active farmland, and powered off the bikes. They tapped their voltcoms, and their helmets disappeared. As they approached the house, Barmy himself emerged.

"You kids here about the quakes?" he asked. Daniel and Larmina looked at one another.

"What quakes?" Daniel asked.

"Well," he replied calmly, "a few days ago, while I was out on the tractor tilling the alfalfa field, and felt a rumbling. I mean, a rumbling different than Ol' Bessy. That's her, my tractor. Ol' Bessy."

"Yeah yeah," Larmina said. "But what kind of quake was it?"

"It was like the kinda quakes we had back when that giant tree appeared a few years back," he replied. "I mean, it wasn't too big. Didn't pay no mind, reckon. Figured it wasn't important, but it kept happening. That's when I sent word to the castle."

"We never received word," Daniel said. "And we never picked up the tremors on our scanners."

"Sometimes you have to listen to the ground," he replied. "Hear what it has to say. That's one of my personal farming secrets. Don't go spreadin' that around now."

"But how did you send word?" Larmina asked.

"My dog" he replied. "You mean, he's not with you?" Daniel and Larmina nodded. "Oh dear, I hope the feller didn't get lost again. Last time I had him deliver a steak to the market, he was gone for three days. Market said they never got the steak either. Odd thing…"

"When was the last time you felt the tremors?" Larmina asked.

"A few hours ago," he replied. "But what're ya gonna do about my dog?"

"What?' Larmina screeched. Daniel grabbed her, holding her back.

"We'll go look for him," Daniel replied.

"Thank you, sonny," he replied. "No tellin' what mighta happened to him." Daniel led Larmina out of the shack. Barmy sat at the table. "That feller reminds me of someone…" Daniel pulled Larmina a ways from the shack, then stopped and faced her.

"A little harsh, don't you think?" Daniel asked.

"Don't you think we have more important things to worry about?" she snapped. Before Daniel could answer, they felt a slight rumbling beneath their feet.

"Shh," Daniel said. Larmina looked slightly annoyed, but Daniel got down on his hands and knees and put his ear to the ground. "I'm guessing this is not good." A vine burst from the ground in front of Daniel's face, and he sprung to his feet. Vines and branches poked out of the ground around them, the shack, and the farmland.

"What is it?" Larmina asked.

"We have to warn the others," Daniel replied, and began to run for their bikes. He tapped his Voltcom. "Defensive Control! This is an emergency! Vines are popping out of the ground and destroying the countryside! Launch all lions immediately!"

Coran hit a round red button on the console, and a blaring alarm sounded. Marina, Hunk and Vince ran in.

"Daniel and Larmina are in trouble," Coran said. "He requested you launch at once."

"You heard the man!" Marina shouted. "Let's get to the lions!" The three ran to the chutes and leaped for the swings. Within moments, they were entering the cockpits of their lions. Each powered on, letting out a mighty roar before taking off from its den.

Daniel and Larmina sped off on their hoverbikes towards the castle. Vines spiked out around them, and they dodged them skillfully. But one knocked Larmina off the bike, sending her flying to the ground. Daniel turned to help, but was also struck. The vines began to grow taller, and wrapped around one another. Daiel got up and ran to Larmina, and pulled her to her feet.

"Daniel, look!" she shouted. They watched as a purplish fruit began to grow on the ends of the vines. Daniel's eyes widened.

"We gotta get outta here!" he shouted. Just then, they heard a howl. They turned to see a vine wrapped around a dog, raising higher into the air. "That can't be Barmy's dog."

"You're not seriously going to…" she started to say, and he took off running. She ran after him. He dodged more vines, Larmina pulling out her staff and vaulting through a bunch that converged together. They arrived where the dog was trapped, and Daniel tried to slice the vine. Though his claws didn't cut through it well, it loosened enough to free the dog.

"I got him," Daniel said. "Let's get out of here."

"Not until I stop this thing!" Larmina said, hacking away at the vines.

"Our weapons are useless," he said. "We need to run."

"I can do this!" she shouted. "Stop doubting me!"

"Larmina," he shouted, running to her. He grabbed her shoulder, and she turned violently, swinging and barely missing him. He looked at her, her eyes glowing purple.

"I SAID I CAN HANDLE IT!" she shouted.

"Larmina," he said softly. She paused for a moment, then closed her eyes and held her head.

"What's….what's happening to me?" she asked.

"You were saving me," he said softly. "Now it's time for me to return the favor." He ran at her, almost as if her were tackling her, but scooped her up at lightning speed and ran along the growing vines, desperately looking for a path out of them. As he hit a dead end, he stopped, and she let out a weak groan.

"Dead end," he said. "Now what?" The dog looked up at him in sad confusion. Then moments later a blast of fire enveloped and burned the vines in front of them. When he moved his arm from in front of his eyes, and the smoke cleared, he saw Red Lion as it let out a mighty roar.

"Don't just stand there, slow poke!" Marina snarked. "We've got some weeding to do!" Daniel carried them into the mouth of Red Lion and took off for the castle.

"Those vines," Vince said, firing at them, "that fruit….but it can't be…"

"The more we cut 'em," Hunk said, "the more they grow!"

"We need to freeze 'em like we did last time," Vince said. "But without Blue Lion, I don't see how we can."

"We rescued Larmina," Hunk said.

"But Blue is still infected," Vince said. "In the current state she's in….it's liable to kill her."

Red dropped them off at the castle, and Daniel ran across the Great Bridge through the front didn't stop until he'd arrived at Defensive Control. The doors slid open, and he set the dog and Larmina down, nearly collapsing hiself from exhaustion.

"What happened?" Keith asked.

"Keith," he said, "the infection's getting worse. The vines….that thing out there is infused with pure haggarium. Larmina came into direct contact with it. I think Blue might be drawing on it."

"We have to get rid of it," Keith said.

"Without Blue, you can't hope to defeat it like last time," Allura said. Daniel looked over at her, and though she remained proud, he could see her wincing. "I'll go."

"No you won't," Keith said.

"Absolutely out of the question, Your Majesty," Coran protested. "The strain from the infection might kill you. And then Nanny would kill ME!"

"You don't have a choice," she replied. "And that's an order from the throne."

"Don't I get a say in this?" Larmina weakly grunted.

"Don't talk," Daniel said. "You need to rest."

"I need to be out with my team," she said.

"I can't lose you," Daniel said. "I heard him. Vince said if she gets into that cockpit again with Blue infected, she could die."

"That's a risk I gotta take," Larmina replied stubbornly. She forced herself to her feet, and pushed away Daniel. She staggered a few steps forward, then fell to her hands and knees.

"Larmina!" Allura shouted.

"Your place is here, Auntie Allura," she said, pushing herself to her feet. Daniel ran to her. She turned her head and opened her eyes wide, looking into his. Her eyes shone a pretty blue, not a trace of the purple he had seen earlier. He nodded.

"Are you sure?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yeah," she replied softly. He helped her to her feet again, and walked her to the chute. With all her might, she leaped for the swing and grabbed hold. He turned to see Keith and Allura standing side by side watching. Daniel nodded to them.

"Take care of her," Allura said.

"Always," he replied. A determined and stern look appeared on his face as he ran for the chute and dove in, grabbing the swing that took him to the shuttle.

"Power levels are dropping fast," Hunk said.

"The haggaruim is draining us," Vince said. Marina swooped in with Red and took a few shots with its tail laser, severing a few more thick vines.

"We need to find the core and cut it off from the rest of the plant," Marina said.

"The core?" Vince asked.

"Growing up, I learned a lot about Vinyards," she replied. "And wine tasting…but the point is, vines don't just spring out of nowhere. There has to be a core whenre all the vines are coming up from."

"We'll have an easier time finding it as a team," Daniel said, approaching them. "Get clear of the vines. Blue won't be able to get near them unless Vince is able to control it."

"But Daniel," Vince started to say.

"We have to do this as a team," Daniel said. "You and I both know what that thing is made of, but we both know what its capable of. We have to do this." Vince looked up and saw Blue approaching their position

"Are you sure about this?" Vince asked.

"I've never been more sure," Daniel replied. Vince heard more than just the words over the com as Daniel's thoughts wandered into his head.

"If we're gonna do it," he said, "we better do it now."

"Activate Interlocks!" Daniel shouted. "Dynothems connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters are go!"

"Let's go Voltron Force!" they shouted. The Lions flew into the air in formation, then began to reconfigure as the energy field took hold.

"Form feet and legs!" Daniel shouted. "Form arms and body!" He pulled another lever. "Hunk, you take the lead on this one."

"Form Hunk Head!" Hunk shouted as Voltron reconfigured to Yellow Center. The energy field exploded as Voltron powered up. "Rock Wrecking Maces!" The spiked maces appeared in Voltron's hands.

"Time to crank up the tunes, Hunk!" Daniel said.

"Weedwhacker?" he asked.

"Weedwhacker," Daniel replied. Voltron spun as the maces flew outward. Votron flew at the base of the plant and began rapidly striking the vines, slicing them apart.

"Hold on," Vince said softly. He connected his Voltcom, his eyes glowing. They heard the plant snapping and crackling as Voltron sliced through it. Larmina could feel Blue's reaction to being close to the plant, to the point where she almost lost consciousness. Vince focused his energy, and one final blast caused the plant to explode, vine fragments everywhere. As they hit the ground, they disintegrated. Voltron landed and came to a stop. Vince passed out.

"We did it!" Marina shouted.

"Don't start the victory dance yet," Daniel said as the base of the plant, or what was left, pulled itself from the ground. It stretched for the sky, it's power emanating from it.

"That's….the core…" Marina said.

"Vince?" Daniel asked. His friend had gone silent. "Vince!" The vines stretched into legs and arms, and it ran at Voltron. "Oh no you don't!" Daniel yanked the controls, Voltron leaped into the air. "Hunk, you're better at this footwork thing."

"Say no more, Dan my man," he replied.

"Form Black Center!" Daniel shouted. Voltron reconfigured. "Eye Beam!" Voltron fired its Eye Beam at the beast, forcing it to block and stagger backwards.

"My power levels are dropping," Marina shouted.

"Come on, Vince," Daniel said. "Wake up, buddy." The robeast charged them. "Dodge it!" Voltron dove out of the way as the monster plant ran by.

"We can do this," Larmina said, grabbing the controls. Her resolve steeled. "Pull out the big guns, Daniel."

"Form Blazing Sword!" Daniel shouted. Red clanked against green, forming the sword. Green let out a mighty roar. Vines began to shoot out around them.

"We need speed!" Larmina shouted. She connected her Voltcom, as did Daniel.

"Speed Boost!" he shouted.

"Kick Butt Boost!" she shouted. Voltron ran, flipping and dodging the oncoming vines, making a beeline for the monster. Voltron leaped into the air and took aim. "Now!" Vince's eyes opened, pure white. Voltron came down on the robeast, the sword driving through it to the hilt. The remaining vines shriveled and disintegrated, and the beast exploded around them. Voltron pulled the sword from the ground and brandished it.

"Vince?" Daniel asked. Vince had collapsed again. Voltron took off for the castle.

Vince's eyes fluttered open to see the team standing over him in the infirmary. He looked up and Daniel smiled.

"Welcome back, buddy," he said.

"I take it we won," he replied.

"A bit of a switch seeing you lying there," Larmina said. "Are you OK?"

"Exhausted," he replied, "but yeah. All I remember was trying to keep the balance. Blue was overpowering me, and with the haggarium draining us, it was too much."

"You don't remember waking up just in time to land the killing blow?" Daniel asked.

"No," Vince replied. "I felt like I was in a dream. I heard a voice, and I was running to it."

"All that matters is you're alright," Keith said. "In the meantime, we'll have to look more into Blue's infection. Speaking of which, Larmina, are you feeling alright?"

"Better, thanks," she replied. "I still feel Blue struggling, but something started holding it back. Whatever it was, I'm glad."

Haggar looked at the remnants of the plant in disgust from a command ship.

"How is it possible?" she asked aloud. "I infused them with my very essence! The very blood of the gods themselves! How could it have failed?" She lifted the vial she had used to grow the plant to her nose, then backed away, the vial dropping and shattering before her. "This is not my potion! It has been sabotaged!" She looked over at Cove. "Someone, my little furry friend, has been tampering with my ingredient stores." She turned to face the monitors. "And when I find them….they hsall pay. Oh yes….they…shall….pay!" A shadowed figure outside the room listened intently, then ran off into hiding once more.