cubbieBlueMako - The bond is real. Keith sometimes brushes it off, and most of the others don't think about it, but it is going to be integral in regaining control...

animebookchic - It's not all sunshine and daisies, but it's not always disaster either. Remember...season wrap-up!

Author's Note - I like how this chapter starts out a lot like a Voltron Force episode. This finale is going to be awesome!

Without my muse, I am nothing.

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 124 : "Connections – Part II"

Kerza ran into Defensive Control as the others arrived.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked. The Pidge hologram appeared.

"Haggar's forces are attacking again," he said.

"This soon?" Daniel asked.

"What's worse is that they've focused their attack on a single target," Pidge said.

"Where?" Larmina asked.

"The mountain volcano," he replied, "the lair of the Red Lion." Marina gasped.

"Red's a sitting duck!" she shouted. "We have to stop them!"

"Is the transport to Red's Lair still active?" Daniel asked.

"I haven't detected any damage as of yet," he replied. "It could be risky."

"That's a chance I gotta take!" Marina shouted, putting red's key in her voltcom and rushing through the launch door.

"Everyone else, get to your lions and meet up at the volcano," Daniel said.

"What about the diagnostics we're running on Blue?" Vince asked.

"It's going to have to wait," Daniel said. "We have to stop Haggar. To the lions!" They each ran through their respective doors, grabbing the trapeze and riding it to the lower level. They dropped into their shuttles which took off through the tunnels to each of the lairs. The seats rose into the lions, locking in place in the cockpits. Each of the lions powered on with a mighty roar, and took off.

"Let's see what we can do," Larmina said as Blue powered on and got ready to take off. She didn't notice the ominous glow far behind her as the engines themselves began to emanate dark energy.

Marina's seat locked into place, and she gripped the controls tightly. Her voltcom glowed as the engines fired up, the molten lava from the volcano venting from the systems.

"I'll teach you to mess with our den," she muttered as Red took off, making a beeline for the attacking ships. She carefully avoided falling rocks, and managed to smack one out of the way with Red's paw.

"Focus fire on the lion!" the General ordered as the command ship moved into position. The smaller drones began to swarm Red, firing repeatedly on it. A direct hit sent it into a spin.

"Come on," Marian said, trying to adjust, "hold it together."Red came out of the spin and swooped back up, firing a round of stingray missiles at the command ship. The ship opened fire and eliminated the missiles before they could hit the ship.

"Release the robeast!" the General ordered. "I want this lair ground to dust!" The cargo bay doors opened, and a robeast coffin dropped to the volcano floor. It opened, and a monster made of solid rock and metal emerged. The command ship fired a beam which caused the beast to grow exponentially in size until it dwarfed the Red Lion.

"Guys!" Marina shouted. "They just let loose a robeast!"

"We're on our way!" Daniel shouted. "Hang in there!" The beast tried to stomp Red, but Marina was quick, and Red leaped out of the way before being stomped by its humongous foot.

"Let's see you dodge this!" Marina shouted as she pressed one of the buttons. Red let loose with a few shots from its tail. The robeast held up its hands, easily blocking the shots. It swung a fist at Red, and marina moved out of the way barely in time.

"Squash that lion, and destroy the den!" the General ordered again.

"Remember, General," Haggar's voice came from the com, her image appearing on the viewscreen for a moment, "you are to take out the den at all costs! The Red Lion is of no concern to me! But if Blue should happen by…then will be the time to strike!"

"Yes, your Excellency," he replied, bowing his head momentarily.

"I've gotta find this thing's weakness," Marina said, dodging another swing. Red flew up quickly, going for its neck. It sank its jaws in, and the robeast staggered backwards. It grabbed red and threw it a distance, sending it into the volcano wall and falling to the floor. Marina moaned, trying to recover from the shock of the crash. As the robeast closed in, several shadows cast down on it from overhead.

"Take it down!" Daniel ordered. "Do whatever it takes to get it away from Marina!" The lions flew at the robeast and latched on as it turned around. Marina shook her head and grabbed the controls.

"You alright?" Larmina asked.

"Yeah," Marian replied as Red slowly stood up. "Minor damage. I'm fine." The robeast swung, sending Green and yellow flying off. Black and Blue let go to avoid its swinging arms.

"We still have to deal with the fleet overhead," Daniel said. "Marina, follow up into formation. We're going to come at the command ship with everything we got, then come back with Flash Form. You guys ready?"

"Ready," Vince said.

"I'm ready," Larmina said.

"Ready to go," Hunk said.

"Let's do this," Marina said. The Lions dodged another attack and took off towards the command ship.

"You Excellency," the General said, "the lions are all here, and making a beeline for the ship!"

"It's time to put our plan into action," Haggar said. She closed her eyes and focused. "Ancient spirits, ones of old, tear the lion from its fold!" Blue Lion veered away, turned and struck Red, sending it spiraling away.

"What's going on?" Daniel asked.

"I don't know!" Larmina shouted, desperately pulling the controls. "I didn't do it!"

"The lion can't just move itself," Daniel said as he took off to catch Red, grabbing its paw in its jaws and lowering it to the ground. The ship continued to fire on them, and Daniel tried to cover.

"You don't think…." Vince started to say. Blue's eyes glowed purple, and it let out a sinister roar. "Oh no…." Blue flew at Green, but Vince managed to avoid the charge.

"It won't respond!" Larmina said. She suddenly felt weak.

"That's right kitty," a voice echoed in her head, "You're under MY control! Destroy your leader, and take control of your pride!"

"Larmina?" Daniel shouted, but she became unresponsive. Blue flew full speed at Black, arming all of its weapons. "Larmina!"

Allura and Keith came into the Defensive Control where Coran and Kerza monitored the fight.

"What's the situation?" Keith asked.

"The team was able to make it there with the Lions," Coran said, "but they are facing another one of Haggar's robeasts."

"Red Lion seems to have taken a beating," the Pidge hologram said, "but it's systems are still at full power. With any luck, they should be able to form Voltron."

"I'm going to alert Lance at the Academy," Keith said. "Maybe he can have some of his experienced students keep the command ship and its fleet busy with some Alliance Drone Ships." Just then, Allura fell to the floor, feint. Keith caught her, and lowered her to the ground, her eyes rolling into the back of her head as she began to sieze. "Allura!"

"She…..shall…..take control…..of her pride…" she eeked out before she collapsed.

To be continued…..