KathDMD - We are coming up on the end. Though I admit some things may not be resolved by the end of the season.

Author's Note - Apologies for the late post.

Without my muse, I am nothing...and she's gone.

Theme Music : "Invincible" by Kelly Clarkson

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 125 : "Connections – Part III"

"Kerza," Keith said, scooping Allura into his arms, "see if you can get in touch with the Academy. I have to get Allura to Med."

"Yes, Admiral," he replied, continuing to monitor the battle, while opening another holo-screen to make the communication.

"Coran," Keith said, "See if you can get any of them on the com. I want to know if anything is happening to the Blue Lion. If there's a connection, I want to know what it is." He walked out of the Defensive Control, carrying an unconscious Allura. Pidge appeared in the room.

"I just did a long range scan of Blue Lion," he said. "I'm detecting a strange energy signature that matches up with the haggarium tainted water."

"Then the Blue Lion WAS infected," Coran said. "What can we do?"

"I'm unable to calculate a viable solution," Pidge replied. "If we can get the Blue Lion back here and under control, maybe we could analyze the infection and come up with a remedy."

"Easier said than done," Kerza said.

Keith brought Allura quickly into Med and laid her on one of the available beds.

"Has something happened?" Dr. Ecron said as he rushed into the room as well.

"Something's happened to Blue Lion," Keith replied, "and I think it's affecting Allura."

"I'll do my best to care for her," Ecron said.

"I need to get back to Defensive Control," Keith said. He raised his voltcom to his lips. "Patch me through to Planet Pollux."

Daniel braced for impact, gripping the controls tightly, his eyes closed. He head a bang and opened his eyes in time to see Red Lion knock Blue out of the way.

"Now we're even!" Marina shouted. "Larmina, are you alright?" There was no response.

"Something has control of the Blue Lion," Daniel said.

"It's the haggarium," Vince replied.

"Guys," Hunk said, "here comes the robeast!" The lions scattered, narrowly missing a swing from the robeast.

"Without Blue, we can't form Voltron!" Marina said.

"That's exactly what Haggar had in mind," Daniel replied, dodging another attack. "You guys keep the robeast busy. I've got a plan."

"Wait," Vince said, "it isn't something insanely dangerous and completely stupid, is it?" Daniel laughed.

"You expect anything less?" Daniel said as Black Lion took off towards Blue.

"Alright," Hunk said, "let's see if putting a little muscle into it will stop this thing." Yellow flew at the robeast and swung its tail at the robeast. It struck it, but the robeast grabbed it by the tail and flung it away.

"Hunk!" Marina shouted.

"We can't defeat it on our own," Vince said. "But we might be able to buy some time. We need to draw it back into the volcano." Red and green fired at the robeast, then took off towards the Volcano.

"Stop them!" the General shouted. "Don't let them get away!"

"Don't be a food, General!" Haggar shouted over the com. "Voltron is incapacitated! Destroy the lair! Focus all fire and destroy it!"

"Yes, Your Excellency!" he replied. The command ship and what was left of the fleet opened fire on the Volcano.

"What are they doing?" Marina asked, avoiding the fire and the robeast.

"They're trying to destroy the lair!" Vince replied.

"I hope this plan works," Marina said. "We need to get this robeast grounded so we can stop those ships."

"Hang on, Mina," Daniel said, Black Lion coming at Blue. "Hope you can handle evasion." He hit the auto-pilot, and got out of his seat. He ran to the back of the cockpit, and dropped through the opening below. Black flew over Blue as it recovered, and Daniel climbed out onto one of Black's paws. "Here goes…..yolo." He leaped from Black, and landed on the back of Blue, clinging with the claws that appeared from his voltcom. He pulled his way to the hatch and climbed in. Blue Lion halted its pursuit of Black and began to thrash wildly. Daniel made his way to the cockpit.

"Larmina!" he shouted. He made his way to her and tried to shake her. "Larmina, wake up!" She moaned, but was not waking. He tried to pull her from the seat and grab the controls, but when he did, he received a shock. He stared at the controls for a moment, a determined look on his face. "I have to regain control." He grabbed the controls and held on for dear life. He screamed in pain as he pulled the controls.

No! Get away! She is mine now! She rules her pride, not you! She will eliminate the weak to make way for the strong! The power of water will consume all of Arus!

"Haggar?" he shouted. "I won't let you take her!" He pulled hard, and the lion let out a defiant roar. It came crashing to the ground, rolling end over end several times before coming to a stop.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the Princess of Pollux pleaded with her husband. "You know what happened the last time you came into contact with…."

"It will be alright, min kone," he replied.

"But, your headaches," she said. "They are getting worse."

"There is a reason for it," Sven replied. "Once I return, I'll explain. But I must hurry! If I don't go now, your cousin and her niece might suffer the same fate." Romelle gasped. "If the Blue Lion's spirit dies….so will we." He left the room, heading for the hangar. Romelle fell to her knees. Erik came up to her from behind and wrapped his arms around his mother.

"Don't worry, mama," he said. "Papa will return. I know he will."

Malva sat in the darkness, knowing full well the battle that raged above. Just then, her head began to pound, and a familiar voice filled her mind.

My apprentice….arise and break free of your bonds…..destroy the castle….stop our enemies!

She fought with all her will, but the haggarium was too much. Her eyes glowed purple, and she let out a blood curdling scream.

"I….CAN'T….FIGHT IT!" she shouted as she raised her arms, pointing them at her cell door. Searing flames blasted the rock and metal around the doorway, blasting the rocks apart. She began to laugh maniacally as the wall began to explode. But just as the destruction began, a glow of light shone nearby, and the stones came back together just as quickly as they had exploded.

"Malva…." A voice spoke quietly. She turned her head left, then right quickly, seemingly paranoid.

"Who's there?" she asked.

Nothing's there! Destroy the doorway!

"Do not let Haggar corrupt your thoughts!" the voice shouted.

"I can't….control it…." Malva said.

"Your destiny is not in the service of the Old Ones," the voice said. "Your destiny lies in the hands of fate itself."

Go away! You have interfered with me for the last time! Betrayer!

"Haggar betrayed all of Arus the day she turned on me," the voice said. "She will not lead you down the dark path….I will not let her."

I've warned you, Alfor! Stay away from my apprentice!

"She does not belong to you," Alfor replied. "She belongs to the Defender."

To be continued….