The Voltron Force members and Crystal Gems carefully flew the Homeworld scout ship, dubbed the Blue Eye, closer to Pink Diamond's Zoo; doing everything they can to make sure they don't draw unwarranted attention.
"The Human Zoo," Pearl said to herself as the ships control panels beeped upon them drawing nearer to the structure. "I can't believe it still exists. This place has changed a lot; especially since the last time I saw it."
"Slav is in there," Keith said. "We just need to find him and break him out."
"Let's hope he's as good as the Blade of Marmora say he is," Amethyst added in.
"Keep it steady Pearl; we're only going to get one shot at this," Pidge told the skinny Gem.
"I know, and I'm ready," Pearl replied as they slowly flew into a visible, yet safe range of the Homeworld space station.
"All right, beginning phase two of the plan," Pidge said as she cracked her knuckles. "I'm initiating a sonic scan of the structure; if we're lucky, we'll get the information we need in less than four dobashes." Pidge began typing away at the simplified Homeworld technology, as faint blue waves of energy fired from the scout ships front, nothing too loud or damaging to provoke the Zoo into attacking. "And it's done; that took about sixty ticks. Uploading the data, now."
"What do you have for us, Katie?" Keith asked just as Katie made a giant hologram of the structure's interior for all of them to observe.
"I've compiled the data from the Blue Eye's sonic scan and was able to create this map. Based on what I can tell, it appears that three concentric levels comprise the entire prison; with each level displaying different types of security measures." Pidge explained.
"Last time I was here, there had been only one level and less security," Pearl said to herself. "The Diamonds must be determined to keep this place safe and running."
"That's weird." Katie interrupted.
"What is?" Lance asked.
"I was under the impression that the recently added third level would only have one exhibit: Slav." Pidge began. "But I'm showing two cells there instead. What else would be held there?"
"Just spit-balling here, but maybe a big scary monster." Lance teasingly suggested.
"Can you get us a visual on the cells?" Keith asked.
"Negative, not from here," Pidge answered. "And even if I could, we don't know what Slav looks like."
"Then I guess checking both is our only option," Pearl stated.
"I call dibs on the closer one!" Lance quickly shouted; getting an annoyed look from the others as they rolled their eyes.
"When we get inside, I'll go to the command center and try to access the security system," Katie told them.
"All right, Pearl. Take us in." Keith ordered the skinny Gem, who nodded and carefully flew the ship into the Zoo's hangar; via its outer ring. Once inside, the five of them instantly notice two Gem guards standing in front of the entrance. They had body builds like Jasper, but were purple like…
"Those Gems…" Amethyst began.
"Amethyst guards." Pearl groaned. "Right, as if we could just waltz up as an ownerless pearl, a short amethyst, a Galra, an Altean, and a human."
"Well, all of knew this wasn't going to be a walk in the park," Katie responded.
"I have an idea," Lance spoke up. "I could use my chameleon ability to disguise myself as a Gem; Pearl and I walk out, and distract the guards while everyone else sneaks around find Slav."
"It's a good idea, but I don't think it would work," Pearl stated. "Two amethyst guards aren't going to leave their post because a pearl and whatever you shapeshift into say so."
"Maybe I can," Amethyst said as her body glows and alters its current form; once she was done shapeshifting, Yellow Paladin's appearance was changed from that of an amethyst; to a sapphire. "If I play the role right."
"You look just like…" Pearl began, slightly tearing up; Amethyst didn't just disguise herself as any other sapphire but as the Crystal Gem Sapphire.
"She was the only one I knew," Amethyst lowly admitted, before taking a breath to regain her composure. "Hear me out. Today, I'm a sapphire traveling with my guard and my personal Pearl." The purple Gem looked over at Lance, then to Pearl. "We've come here to rest after a long journey. We'll talk with the Amethyst guards; while they focus on us, Keith and Pidge will sneak out and continue the plan. Once the two of you are out of the hangar, I'll dismiss Lance from his duties, and he'll join up with you in finding Slav."
"Considering that this is our only plan, it may be the best one we have," Pearl admitted.
"Are you sure about this, Amy?" Lance questioned. "What if I mess up?"
"You just need to look the part, and you'll do fine," Keith assured the Altean; placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Now, as Sapphire would say in this situation." Amethyst began; doing her best, respectful impression her friend. "Stick together. Play it straight. And let's change the freaking future. Except she wouldn't use freaking."
"RAGH!" Zarkon cried out in pain once more as he absorbed more of the Quintessence into his body; the pain ceased as soon as it began, and the Galran Emperor collapses on to the floor. "More! Give me more!"
"My Lord, your vitals are reaching a dangerous point." One of the Druids stated as it walked over to his master. "We can't continue without threatening to kill…" Before the dark sorcerer could even finish its sentence; Zarkon summoned his Black Bayard blade and stabbed it, causing the creature to disperse into dark lightning and dust.
"Are there any further objections?" Zarkon calmly asked; as all the Druids remained silent and full of fear. "Remember who your master is. Now, give me more!"
The Druids obeyed their Emperor as they resumed their ritual; while Haggar looked on in worry over her Emperor, and the diminishing grip on his sanity.
Sapphire-Amethyst, Pearl, and Lance, who shapeshifted into a green Gem that Pearl said had similarities to a serpentine Gem, exited the Blue Eye and calmly approached the Amethyst guards.
"State your purpose." One of the guards stoically demanded.
"We wish to see the inside of the Zoo," Sapphire-Amethyst said in a calm and collected manner.
"Bad news. The Zoo shut down." The second guard stated with a mischievous grin. "That means we'll just have to throw you three in space."
Amethyst, Pearl, and Lance all gave a slight whimper at the threat.
"Hey look, they believed me." The same guard said as both busted out in laughter.
"Oh, that was a good one," Sapphire-Amethyst said with her laughter, while Lance and Pearl nervously laughed.
"Well, would you look at that." The other Amethyst guard said. "A sapphire with a sense of humor. Anyway, welcome to the Zoo, we hope you enjoy your stay."
"What are you doing?" An authoritarian voice asked as a new Gem walked into the hangar from behind the guards. She periwinkle blue skin, with lavender hair, styled into two-pointed side buns. Her attire included a navy top with a blue shawl and royal blue pants with white boots that go up to her thighs.
"Nothing, Holly Blue Agate." The guards quickly responded as the blue Gem looked at their visitors and gasps upon seeing Sapphire-Amethyst.
"Why didn't you miscreants tell me there was a sapphire here? What have you been saying to them?" Holly loudly asked as she kicked the purple guards in their shin; much to Amethyst's annoyance.
"They were just doing some light teasing; nothing harmful." Sapphire-Amethyst defended.
"You'll have to forgive them, your Clarity," Holly said with a slight chuckle. "They're from Earth." Sapphire-Amethyst nodded at that comment; mustering all her willpower not to call the blue Gem a certain word that would be associated with a female dog. "Now apologize you two."
"Forgive us." The guards respectfully said, only to get punched by Holly.
"Say it right!" Holly ordered.
"Forgive us, your Clarity!" The guards corrected, with their treatment continuing to vex Sapphire-Amethyst.
"Now, what brings you three all the way out here?" Holly asked of the trio.
Sapphire-Amethyst took a calming breath. "We were humbly on our way to one of my Diamond's colonies. When we passed by the Zoo and decided to take a tour of the remarkable structure." The purple Gem made up on the spot.
"Ah, I see; I would be honored to give you a tour." Holly Blue replied with a bow. "Right this way, your Grand Clarity. Though, your serpentine will have to stay behind."
"But…" Lance spoke up; trying to make his voice sound as feminine as he could.
"Stay. Here." Holly repeated in a stricter tone.
"We'll be back," Sapphire-Amethyst assured Lance; lifting her face-covering bangs to give the shapeshifted Altean a confident blink with her cyclopean eye as she and Pearl followed Agate down the hall.
Once the Crystal Gems were out of sight; Lance needed to do his part and keep the guards distracted so Keith and Pidge can carry out their assignments. "Man, that Holly Blue is… like a total… clod… isn't she." Lance nervously stated, trying to play the part.
"Oh, you don't know the half of it." One of the guards spoke up. "I know she's just doing her job, but she is annoying about it."
"Yeah, not to mention that she's a major kiss-ass when it comes to the Diamonds." The second guard spoke up.
"And she's also rude." The first guard added in.
"But why do you put up with her then?" Lance asked.
"Did you just pop out of a kindergarten yesterday or something?" One of the amethysts asked. "We have to put up with her because that's how it is. There are more of us here in the Zoo, and we wouldn't be here if not for Blue Diamond. Otherwise, we would've been… put down."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" Lance tried to apologize.
"It's fine." The other guard said. "It's kind of nice being able to talk to someone else about this."
"No problem." Lance sincerely said but paused as soon as he saw Keith and Pidge sneak off in the corner of his eye. "If you'll excuse me; I'll be back. There is something I need… to check on."
"It's cool." One of the guards replied. "Just make sure you don't go where you're not supposed to."
"Can do," Lance said as he left the two amethysts to meet up with Keith and Katie; quickly shapeshifting back to his usual self once he was out of the Gems' sights.
"Do you always allow your pearl to walk next to you?" Holly asked Sapphire-Amethyst as the three of them walked down the halls.
"Oh, uh, I'll just be right here," Pearl said as she blushes and steps a few feet back from Sapphire-Amethyst.
"Chatty one, isn't she?" Holly asked the purple Gem.
"She'll grow on you," Sapphire-Amethyst stated.
"I highly doubt that," Agate stated in a deadpan, yet respectable manner. "Now, this facility originally belonged to Pink Diamond; housing and staffing the otherwise useless quartzes that she produced and what was her colony. However, Blue Diamond and her trusted Agate, that's me, have been maintaining this place since the dawn of Era 2."
Amethyst clutched her fist tightly at that remark but decided to let it go for the sake of the mission. The tour group kept walking until they come across a door and stop; with Holly Blue looking at both Pearl and the door as if expecting something.
"Is she going to do it?" Holly asked Sapphire-Amethyst. "Or should I say something?"
"Wha… Oh, right. Pearl the door." Sapphire-Amethyst quickly said.
"Yes, my Clarity." Pearl sarcastically said as she unlocked the door.
"You're so patient with her, how do you do it?" Holly Blue asked.
"I'm a sapphire; do you need to ask?" Amethyst bluntly responded.
"Oh of course," Holly said as she smacked her forehead. "You can see that she'll eventually do it. Come now, let's continue."
Sapphire-Amethyst and Holly Blue walk past Pearl with the fellow Crystal Gem giving her friend an apologetic look. "I'm sorry." The purple Gem said.
"Do keep up," Holly ordered Pearl, who let out a grunt as she followed the two Gems.
"The bottom half of this magnificent structure is devoted entirely to specimen containment. Organics don't take well to captivity, but once you understand their needs, they're easy to control." Holly Blue stated as her tone turned from one of praise to one of somber. "It is tragic. Pink Diamond's existence was so very finite; she was only four-thousand years old before Rose Quartz murdered her like the coward she is. However, Blue Diamond, who was very close to Pink, did a selfless act to step forward and spend both her own time and energy to preserving this place in her baby sisters memory. It's a real testament to Blue Diamond's merciful and giving nature. Don't you think?"
"Yes." Sapphire-Amethyst quickly answered; if the real Sapphire or Ruby were here right now, they would've lost their cool at the mention of Blue Diamond. Amethyst can't think about them right now, she needs to keep this act up.
Katie, Keith, and Lance successfully made their way to the Zoo's control room; which surprisingly had little security, and the Green Paladin instantly got to work on hacking the systems. "I'm in," Pidge told them.
"All right, what's the best route," Keith asked the teenaged girl.
"It looks like amethysts patrol the top level," Pidge answered as she observed all the cameras. "The second level is patrolled by some orb shaped drones…"
"And the third level?" Lance asked.
"Closed system," Pidge answered. "I can't get in from here."
"You can't get in from the command center?" Keith questioned.
"No single location can access the entire place," Katie stated. "It's a security measure. When you reach that level, you'll have to find your way in. However, I can scramble the monitors for everywhere else except here."
"Good thing I brought these then," Keith said as he took out two code-breakers from his back pouch; handing one over to Lance. "We'll make our way down, to the third level and keep in contact with you." The Galran concluded.
"Good luck, man," Lance said lastly as they departed to carry out their tasks.
"And while you're doing that." Pidge said as she took out a hard drive; placing it in the computers as she hacked. "Hm. Let's see if we can access a few of the Diamond's dirty little secrets." As she continued her hacking, she found some blue prints for ship designs, colony plans, some selfies by a yellow pearl and eventually came across a file that instantly caught her interest; an unfinished design for a machine of some sort, and based on what she was able to translate, the name of this machine is… "Lion Slayer?"
Keith took the left sector while Lance took the right sector; with the monitors scrambled and lack of security, it made sneaking around for the Red Paladin a lot easier. The young Galran eventually came face to face with doors far more massive than the previous ones. "Lance, I'm standing in front of a huge door. How about you?" Keith asked over his comms.
"I am too." The Altean Prince answered over his comms.
"Slav should be behind one of these doors, place your codebreaker on a nearby control panel and let it do its job," Keith instructed.
"On it," Lance answered before ending the call.
Keith searched for anything that would resemble a control panel, and after finding it; he places the Marmoran device on it and patiently waits for the codebreaker to complete its hack. A dobash and a half went by before the right code was found and the large door opened.
"Lance, my doors open and I'm heading in," Keith informed his ally.
"Same here on my end," Lance stated. "Good luck."
Keith walked through the door, which took him to a strange habitat of trees and grass with only one creature inside. The alien gasped upon noticing Keith, it stood on two stubby legs, and had six arms and beak, along with fur around its body and tale, and wore a blue sweater. "Are you Slav?" Keith asked.
"Vhat do you vant vith me?" The strangely eccentric and paranoid being asked in a thick accent, confirming his identity. "Arrre you herrre to torrrdurrre me?"
"No, I'm here to save you," Keith calmly explained. "I'm a Paladin of Voltron."
"Oh, no, effen vorrrze." Slav worriedly stated. "In ninety-eight and thrrree hundrrredths of ein berrrcent of rrrealidies vith ein brrrizon prrreak, I die! Und yourrr chances arrre effen vorrrze!"
Lance walked through his door and found himself in a condensed, metal room where the only habitat was a giant, purple-furred creature that seemed to be chewing on some metal. The beast stops and lets out a growl as it slowly turns its attention to Lance with hungry, yellow eyes.
Lance fearfully shrieked upon seeing the beast but quickly regained his composure. "Are you… are you Slav?" The Prince asked with a shaky tone.
The beast stood on its own two feet, walking over to the scared Altean and easily towering over him as it looked down and responded in a deep voice, "Yup."
"Oh?" Lance said with disbelief. "You're not what I imagined. But don't worry Slav; I'm here to rescue you. I'm with Voltron. Do you know Voltron?"
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"Then you know we have a plan on getting you out of here, right?" Lance asked.
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"This is going easier than I thought," Lance said to himself as he turned on his comms.
"Pidge, I've got Slav." Both Keith and Lance said at the same time over their comms, much to everyone's confusion.
"What?" Pidge asked over her comms.
"I said I have Slav," Keith answered.
"No, I have Slav. Wait, hold on…" Lance replied as he turned off his comms quickly and turned to "Slav." "Tell me the truth; are you Slav?"
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"We don't have time for this!" Katie shouted over the comms. "You're just gonna have to bring them both back."
"All right, contact Pearl and Amethyst when you can," Keith ordered the Green Paladin. "Lance and I will find our way back to the hangar."
"Understood." "Copy that." Pidge and Lance said at the same time.
"You ready to go, Slav?" Lance asked the giant alien.
"Yup." "Slav" answered as the two of them left the cell.
"Come on; we've got to hurry," Keith told Slav.
"No, zanks." Slav quickly replied.
"What? We're finally going to stop Zarkon. We have the Olkari, Blade of Marmora and many others on our side. But, without you, we can't do it." Keith frustratingly explained. "I can have you on the Blue Eye and gone in no time, but we must hurry!"
"Oh, ein Blue Eye. Vhy didn't you zay so? Blue light has ein frrrequency petveen zix-hundrrred-zix to zix-hundrrred-eight terrraherrrtz." Slav stated.
"Is that going to jam their scanners or something?" Keith asked with a look of confusion.
"No, zat's chust mein lucky rrrange of terrraherrrtz. Let's go." Slav stated. However, instead of following Keith, the multi-armed alien turns around and begins messing with what looks like a grass bed. "Okay, uh, morrre to zee left. Mm... Zis needs to be rrright. Um... Oh, but not too rrright."
"What are you doing?" Keith loudly asked, making the strange man jump and mess up his work.
"Arrrrghh! Now, I kotta sdarrrt offer." Slav grumbled.
"Are you quiznacking serious." Keith cursed to himself as the "smartest being in the universe" continued "fixing" his grass bed.
"Berrrfect! Okay, now, zerrre's ein tvo berrrcent chance zis mizzion von't rrrezult in ein horrrific, deadly firrrepall." Slav enthusiastically stated as he rushes ahead of Keith. "Let's leaffe!"
"Suddenly, I'm wishing to be on the weblum mission." Keith grouched as he followed Slav from behind.
"And past this way is the health reservation sector..." Holly Blue said as she continued the tour. "And here is the human disposal shoot; where we dispose of all their... waste."
"Holly Blue Agate! Holly Blue Agate!" Another amethyst guard shouted as two more of them rush down the hall to greet their superior.
"Excuse me! Running and or shouting in these hallways is prohibited!" Holly Blue responded.
"I'm sorry, but…" The guard said in a quieter tone.
"Quit your mumbling!" Agate responded. "How else am I supposed to know what you're saying?"
"It's Laika." The guard quickly responded. "She's escaped."
"What! Why didn't you tell me that sooner?" Holly loudly berated the amethyst; before turning to Sapphire-Amethyst and Pearl. "I'm sorry, but something that I can't ignore has just been brought to my attention. So, I'm afraid my part of the tour ends here." Holly then turned her attention back to the guards. "Well, don't just stand there, ya useless chunks of rock! Make yourselves useful and continue the rest of their tour!"
"Yes, Holly Blue Agate!" The guard responded with a salute just as the blue Gem left the four of them alone; with Sapphire-Amethyst nervously smiling and feeling as if her disguise is going to give out at any moment.
"I think I'm lost." Lance said as the Altean and "Slav" continue walking through the structure. "Slav, am I going the right way?"
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"What am I saying, you're a genius, of course you do." Lance said. "Well, since we're going to be walking for a while. I might as well tell you about the others."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"There's the awesome leader of Voltron, Takashi Shirogane." Lance began. "Then there's the Yellow Paladin, Amethyst; she's also our chef and just a cool girl to hang out with."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"Then there's Keith." Lance continued. "He's a bit broody but is nice when you get to know him."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"Then there's my cousin, Allura, and Coran; who are just wonderful." Lance praised.
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"And there is also Katie, who is the hacker of our group," Lance said in an affectionate tone.
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"I know that I've only known her for a short while… however, there's something about her that I can't describe…" Lance admitted as he stopped. "That probably sounds silly."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"Yeah, your right," Lance admitted. "But… there's something... to her. I don't know if it's her smarts, bravery, or determination towards family; but whenever I'm around her, I feel like my heart wants to say something, but my brain is too stupid to figure it out."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"You know, you don't have to agree with me so quickly," Lance responded. "I know this is strange, but… I like her… like, like her, like her. If you know what I mean."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"I want to tell her the truth... how I truly feel... but I'm afraid I'm going to screw up," Lance admitted. "We have a good friendship, and I'm afraid to ruin it. But with our final battle against Zarkon drawing nearer; this may be my last chance. Do you think I should tell her?"
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm probably worrying about nothing." Lance said.
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"Then that settles it; when we get to Olkarion, I'm going to tell her how I feel," Lance stated with confidence. "Thank you for listening to me, and what I had to say."
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
However, unbeknownst to the Altean Prince; "Slav" wasn't the only one listening…
Pidge continued observing Keith and Lance on the monitors and overheard everything the latter just said. The Green Paladin just eavesdropped on a friend who just admitted to having feelings for her; she was so stunned by what the Prince revealed that she didn't know how to react. She always assumed Lance had interest in women like Pearl because of how he acts, but maybe that was just his way of distracting himself from how he honestly felt. Katie would be lying to herself is she said she didn't feel the same way towards Lance. However, she didn't believe she had a shot with him; an alien Prince and technologically obsessed nerd from Earth just seemed unlikely. However, before she could continue pondering, the door to the control room opened as two amethyst guards walked in; luckily, Pidge hid underneath the control panel in time. Well... that's what she hoped…
"Gotcha'" An amethyst said as she found and picked up the Green Paladin with ease.
"Hey, let me go!" Katie squirmed as she tried to strike the large brute. "Put me down!"
"Stop that!" The guard barked; which made the girl stop in surprise. "You are in big trouble."
"Und zomedimes I sneak into zee Human hapitat veneffer I get zee chance to scharrre mein zeorrries vith zem," Slav explained to the disinterested Keith as the Galran carried him the from here on out; he got tired from running around and asked to be carried. "I'm not zurrre if zey fully underrrsdand what I am zaying, zey zeem to pe morrre interrresded in my drrramadic flairrr. Alzo, zome of zem zink I'm "kute" like Jay-Ten and Wy-Six. Alzo, you'rrre zo schtrrrong. I guess it's pekauze you arrre Galr… AH!"
"Oh, what now?" Keith groaned.
"Look at all zoze crrracks!" Slav screamed as he pointed them out to Keith. "I kan't sdep on zoze!"
"I'm carrying you." Keith reminded with annoyance in his tone.
"Oh, zen I guess you don't karrre apout vat habens to yourrr mother's back," Slav responded, folding all his arms.
"What are you talking about?" Keith asked in frustration.
"I'm talking apout quantum rrrealities herrre." Slav dramatically explained. "Crrracks inidiate sbace-time temborrral fizurrres, vich mathemadikally make higher brrrobabilidies forrr alderrrnate rrrealidies in vich yourrr mother has ein brrroken back."
Keith looked at Slav with a dumbfounded expression; having no idea how to respond to something that sounds so smart but is also so stupid. "Well, is there a different route we can take? One without cracks?" The young Galran asked with a sigh.
"Vell zurrre, ve kould ko out zee scree duct, put, you know, it's all full of scree," Slav said. "Zerrre's also zee vlaxenator, put you kan hearrr zee vater frrrom zee Human hapidat drrribing in zerre."
"And let me guess, you're worried about drowning?" Keith asked in a tired tone.
"Now, you'rrre getding it!" Slav responded.
Keith let out a sigh as he activated his comms. "Pidge, are you there? We need an alternate route." The Red Paladin requested, only getting static. "Pidge? Pidge?" Still not getting a response, Keith contacted Lance. "Lance are you there?"
"I read you, Keith, what's up?" The Altean asked over the comms
"I'm trying to contact Pidge, but I'm getting nothing," Keith stated. "Have talked with her yet?"
"No, I haven't," Lance responded with a more worried tone. "You don't think she's…"
"If she is, she can handle herself," Keith assured. "Just keep heading to the hangar, we'll meet each other soon." The Galran turned his attention back to Slav and asked. "How about I cover your eyes and carry you across?"
"I'll know." Slav stubbornly responded.
"Let's just give it a try," Keith said with a low growl as he covered Slav's eyes and tried to carry him across the cracks, only for the multi-limbed alien to start struggling and screaming in fear; eventually breaking out of Keith's grasp and running around. "Hey, get back here! And no screaming!"
"I vas scrrreaming?" Slav questioned in a panicked tone as he desperately tried avoiding the Red Paladin.
Pidge continued to struggle in the amethyst's grip as she was carried into a room full of other quartz soldier and dropped onto the floor. "This the one?" The guard asked while the other soldiers of varying colors and sizes all laughed intimidatingly.
"Katie!" Amethyst screamed as the quartzes reveal to have both her and Pearl held hostage. "They found us out."
"Let them go. Now!" Katie demanded as she summoned her Bayard weapon; ready to fight all the muscular warriors head on.
"You won't believe what I've been through with these amethysts." The Crystal Gem responded. "They're really, really... great!" The little Gem's look of worry instantly turned into a humorous one.
"What?" Katie said with disbelief as she lowered her weapon.
"Hahaha! Oh stars, you should've seen the look on your face." One of the guards said with boisterous laughter; before turning to the Yellow Paladin. "You were right! That was priceless!"
"I still fail to see the genuine humor in scaring her half to death." Pearl spoke up as the quartzes released their "prisoners."
"You jerk." Katie angrily responded with an embarrassed look. "That wasn't funny."
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Amethyst apologized as she runs over and gives Pidge an assuring hug. "I just couldn't pass up this kind of opportunity."
"And what's going on?" Pidge asked as she looked at all the other Gems in the room.
"These Amethysts, they're all from Earth! They're from the Prime Kindergarten!" Amethyst excitedly said; before turning to another one of the purple Gems. "Hey, 8XL!"
"Yeah?" A dark lavender amethyst with a gemstone on her hip asked; standing next to an amethyst with pink skin and a gem on her right hand, along with a with curly haired amethyst with a gemstone on her left shoulder.
"You guys, I'm an Eight! Tell her. Tell her!" Amethyst repeated.
"The amethyst under me never popped out," 8XL explained. "We're all waiting, and… pfft… nothing."
"I'm 8XM! Facet-5, Cut-8XM. That's me!" Amethyst clarified. "And these two are 8XG and 8XH."
"I'm J." The curly-haired amethyst corrected.
"Ah geez, sorry." Amethyst apologized. "I'm worse than Holly Blue!"
"Aren't we all?" 8XJ asked, as all the others laughed.
"Prime, prime, prime; ya amethysts are just a cliquey lot of rocks, aren't you?" A slim orange Gem with red stripes and a round gemstone asked in an easygoing manner.
"Skinny here is a Jasper!" Amethyst stated. "There are Gems her from the Beta Kindergarten, too! Hey, where's Carnelian?"
"Celebrating," Skinny replied just as a Gem around Amethyst's natural height runs and a gemstone on her shoulder runs up to the short Crystal Gem and lifts her over her head.
"I'm not the shortest anymore!" Carnelian screams with joy as she runs around with Amethyst; both laughing.
"This is… kind of sweet." Pidge said with a smile as Pearl walked over to the teen girl.
"I'm happy for her," Pearl stated.
"Hey, could one of you guys please explained why you kidnapped me?" Pidge loudly asked.
"Oh yeah. That…" 8XL began. "8XM told us about your friends wanting to break out someone named Slav from one of the lower exhibits. Well, her pet, Laika, escaped her pen on the lower level, too. And she's now searching for her."
"We need to inform Keith and Lance." Pidge quickly stated.
"Some of the other amethysts are looking for your friends as we speak; once they find them, they'll bring them to the hangar, and you can all leave," 8XL explained. "J, M and I can take you and Pearl to the hangar now, but we need to be quick."
Lance and "Slav" continued down the hall when the Altean Prince hears footsteps in the distance. "Quick, somebody's coming," Lance said as he ran towards the nearest cover; priming his energy bow. He looked over at "Slav" and saw he was standing in place. "What are you doing? Are you trying to get us caught?"
"Yup." "Slav" answered.
"I've found you." Holly Blue Agate's voice said in a please tone as she walked closer to "Slav."
Believing that there is no other option now but to fight, Lance reveals himself; drawing his bow and pointing it at the Homeworld Gem. "Stay away from my friend!" Lance shouted.
"There's your kidnapper!" Holly Blue shouted with rage as she reached for the back of her head; where her gemstone was and pulled out a whip with electricity emitting from it. However, before Lance or Holly could make a move, "Slav" suddenly got on all fours and charged forward, accidentally bringing Lance with him as the Prince found himself riding on the massive creatures back as they rushed past the annoyed Agate. "Come back here! I'm going to make you pay for this!" Holly shouted as she ran after the two of them.
"We've! Got! To! Go!" Keith shouted as he kept trying to catch the elusive Slav. "My friends are in trouble. We must go now! We are walking over those cracks. It's our only option!" The Red Paladin shouted lastly as he finally caught Slav in his arms. "Got you!"
"No, no, no, no!" Slav repeatedly shouted as Keith built up a running start and sprinted over to the cracked floor, and with a quick, yet powerful wall-jump; the Blade of Marmora agent managed to avoid the cracks and kept running. "You managed to affoid zee crrracks?"
Slav said with disbelief as Keith kept running. "Effen zough zerrre vas ein thrrree-hundrrred berrrcent chance zat you vould'fe failed and sdebed on one." As Slav continued talking, he and Keith eventually met up with Lance and "Slav;" both running in the same direction. "Oh, vow, you haffe Laika. Agate von't pe haby apout zat."
"Who's Laika?" Lance asked as he continued riding on the giant alien.
"She's Holly Blue's pet yupper." Slav explained, pointing at "Slav."
"Wait… You're an animal?" Lance loudly asked the being he initially thought to be Slav.
"Yup!" Laika responded.
"Oh, I zee vherrre zee konfuzion vas forrr you," Slav stated as he observed the Altean and yupper.
"Yo, guys!" Amethyst's voice shouted as the Altean and Galra turn their heads and see Amethysts, Katie and Pearl; along with several other Gems by their side. Keith stopped in his tracks, and Lance hopped off Laika; who stayed as well, as they greet their allies.
"Hey, Amethyst." Lance greeted. "Who's your new friends?"
"Long lost relatives." The little Gem corrected.
"They're going to help us get to the hangar," Pidge explained. "But we need to go, now!"
"You're not going anywhere; none of you are!" Holly Blue's angry voice shouted off in the distance.
The group makes a break for it, running down the halls as fast as they can, with the yupper accompanying them for some reason; probably because she likes Lance or something.
After several minutes of sprinting, they all arrived in the hangar where the Blue Eye remained where the Voltron Force members and Crystal Gems last left it. "Let's get in there and…" Pearl began.
"I've finally caught up to you!" Holly Blue shouted as she walked through the hangar's doorway; her electrical whip tight in her hand. "Crystal Gem and organic scum! Not only do you disguise yourself as a grand sapphire and waste my valuable time; you also steal one of the exhibits and my yupper! I guess this is what happens when you leave incompetent amethysts to do all the hard work. Well, I guess the age-old saying is true after all; if you want to ensure something is done right, you do it yourself. You are coming with me!"
The agate cracks her whip and throws it in the direction of Slav and Keith, but Amethyst quickly leaped in front of and grabbed it. She felt the electricity course through her body at first but was able to power through the pain; much to Holly Blue's genuine surprise.
"Get Slav on board!" Pearl ordered as Keith nodded and did so; while Amethyst held her grip on Holly's whip and spin dashes towards the blue Gem, wrapping the weapon around the Agate and tying her up. The little Crystal Gem could hear her fellow amethysts and jaspers cheer her on as she does so.
"Oh, you don't know how long I've been waiting to do this," Amethyst said with a smirk as she jumps and uppercuts the bound Holly Blue Agate. "Shoryuken!" Amethyst turns to the other Gems, blowing them a kiss. "Famethyst for life!"
"What are you doing? They're traitors! Destroy them!" Holly Blue ordered the ecstatic quartzes, who just stood where they were; cheering for their little cousin and laughing at their disgraced tormentor. "I'll report you to the Diamonds!" Agate threatened as she dispersed her weapon; freeing herself. "All of you! You'll all be shattered!"
"Oh." Pearl smugly said as she walked over to the still downed Gem and kneeled in front of her. "You're gonna tell the Diamonds that you allowed a band of traitorous rebels and "organic scum" to infiltrate a highly secure facility; successfully escaping from right under your careful watch?" Pearl takes a sharp breath; imagining to herself all the terrible thing that could happen and placing that fear in Holly's mind while she boops the agate's nose. "That... does not sound like the smart move, Holly Blue. So, go and do yourself a favor; keep your mouth shut. That will be all."
"Yup," Lance said with delight, while Amethyst claps her hands at that severe burn as they board the Blue Eye.
"Goodbye, cousin!" Skinny shouted.
"We'll miss you!" Carnelian cried out.
"I hope we see you again!" 8XL added in.
The Famethyst all said their goodbyes and waved as the Blue Eye took off with Holly Blue groaning to herself in disappointment.
Once the azure vessel left their sights, the Famethyst left the hangar; leaving Holly Blue all on her own, with Laika. "Well, at least, you're okay." Holly said to her pet as she proceeds to give her pet an affectionate belly rub; which she happily accepts. "That's a good girl. Yes, you are. Who's a good little yupper? Who's the good little yupper?"
"Well, that wasn't so bad," Lance said as he sat in one of the scout ships chairs; putting his feet up on the control panel and reclining.
"Maybe not for you." Keith grouched as Slav overlooked everything in the Blue Eye.
"The only time I got scared was when we lost contact with Katie," Lance admitted.
"When you lost contact?" The Green Paladin stuttered with a blush.
"Yeah, I was afraid they found and hurt you." Lance genuinely admitted. "But I'm glad your safe."
"Th… thanks." Pidge said as she quickly turned away in bashfulness; a part of her wanted to tell the Altean Prince about what she had overheard but didn't want to make the situation any more awkward.
"You know, I always had a feeling that my kindergarten family was somewhere out there." Amethyst began. "And this whole thing showed that I was right. That also may not even be all of them for all I know."
"While you guys were looking for Slav, I found some information on Homeworld and the Diamonds," Pidge explained. "I have a lot to go through with Peridot, but it should be helpful."
"I'll contact the Princess and tell her we're on our way to Olkarion," Pearl informed as she attempted to open a communication with the Castle of Lions. "As well as let her know that we have Slav and we're ready to make the virus and build the teladuv."
"Vat? No one zaid anything apout ein teladuv!" Slav exclaimed.
Keith's face started to turn from purple to fiery red as he looked like he was on the verge of wanting to murder Slav.
"What's the problem, now?" Keith shouted. "We need you to help build a teladuv. So, count your hair follicles or fluff a pillow, or whatever you need to do to make sure it is one-hundred percent operational in this reality!"
Everyone on the ship looked at Keith with completely shocked expressions.
"I vas chust koing to boint out zat teladuv trrraffel is ferrry efficient." Slav nervously answered; with Keith letting out an annoyed sigh as they continued flying through space.
"RAGH!" Zarkon continued to cry out in pain; absorbing more of the Quintessence into his body.
"That's enough!" Haggar ordered her Druids as they halted the ritual, and the Emperor collapses onto his knees.
"Why did you stop?" Zarkon questioned his witch as she walked over and kneeled beside him.
"Your body can't take this kind of strain anymore," Haggar explained. "You can barely stand as it is."
"None of that matters." Zarkon weakly replied. "Once the Black Lion is recaptured, no one will stand against me."
"You can't find the Black Lion if you are dead." The sorceress rebuked.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" Zarkon spitefully asked. "The weapon needs the Black Lion, the only thing that can power it; none of the tests have been successful!"
"Maybe not," Haggar responded as she helped her lord up.
"What do you mean?" The Galran Emperor asked as one of the Druids walked up to them; taking out a strange device.
"Our scouts have been scouring the universe." The witch explained. "And we believe we've found a suitable replacement for the Black Lion as a power source. Moreover, we know where to find her." The Druid tapped the top of the device as a one-foot tall hologram of a Gem manifested itself before the Emperor. However, this wasn't any ordinary Gem… this was one of the most powerful Gems… Blue Diamond.