A/N: Hello. I know that people are confused about why there are two Paladins for each lion in this story and, to a lesser extent, a personal dislike about two paladins sharing the same pod, and I understand that, but they happened in my story for a reason. That's where origins come in (except there's not much of an origin in the second part, but still, there's a reason). Anyway, since it's in the past, Alphus will be portrayed by Brittney Karbowski and Omegus by Billy Zane while Kaecilius reprises his role as James Marsters in a much more dignified manner. To add to this is a special character: Marmora. She will be voiced by Ashley Greene. As for her husband and child, I haven't come up with their voices yet, but they will appear again in more upcoming flashback sequences in future chapters. So, hang tight 'kay? :)

Chapter 33: The Legend Begins

On another moon base, Kaecilius' pod floated towards it before landing as he emerged with a smile before his gauntlet received a transmission from a certain scientist before he spoke.

"Komar. So good to see you after such a long time."

"I can hardly agree with you on that. But ignoring our... professional disagreement, what can I do for you?"

"Open the doors of Base: Xanthium. I must see how my 'guest' is holding up."

At the Castle, Keith and Ayame were with Shiro as he answered their question.

"I don't know. The last thing I remember was Omegus trying to overtake the Black Lion. It told me to use my bayard. Then, just nothing. I woke up and I was back on a Galra ship."

As Ayame grew curious, Keith had a theory.

"Why did you end up there?"

"Well, he'd just unlocked the Black Lion's ability to teleport. Could it have teleported you? Maybe it was trying to save you."

"By teleporting me into the hands of the Drule?"

"Maybe Omegus forced it to. I mean, he was trying to control the Black Lion up until the very last moment, right?"

"Yeah, maybe."

Ayame spoke to her brother next.

"Well, if you're feeling up to it, the rest of the team would be thrilled to see you up and around again. They need you, you know."

"Yeah. I'll try."

Ayame then smiled before Keith spoke.

"Okay, we'll be on the bridge."

As the two started to walk out, Shiro spoke again.

"Hey, guys?"

"Yeah?"

"How many times are you gonna have to save me before this is over?"

As Shiro smiled while asking that question, Keith smiled back.

"As many times as it takes."

Meanwhile, Jenny was lying with Lance in her bed as she spoke.

"Man, what a week. First, we got Ayame and Shiro back, and now, we have Honerva and Zarkon on our side. Things are finally looking up."

"Yeah."

Catching his deadpan response, Jenny could tell something was bugging him.

"What's wrong?"

"Jenny, did you ever really think about what them being back really means?"

"What do you mean?"

"I've been doing some math. With Shiro back, that makes six Paladins, seven if you count Sandy, but excluding the White and Violet, there are only five main lions."

"Yeah. I thought the numbers were a little weird from the beginning myself, too. Come to think of it... why did it choose seven of us if there's only five of them? Could they not make up their minds before?"

"That... is insightful, but not the point. When Shiro takes over the Black Lion, Keith's going to want his Red Lion back. If I get a Lion, I'd have to take Blue from Allura. But she's progressed a lot faster than any of us did. She might even be able to unlock powers we don't know of. Like you."

This made Jenny blush, although she ignored it as she spoke.

"Yeah. You're right."

"So... maybe the best I can do for the team is step aside."

Obviously, this upset Jenny as she frowned.

"What? Why?"

"This isn't a participation game. This is war. And whoever the leader is, they're gonna want the best soldiers on the front lines."

Jenny then hugged him tightly before she spoke to him.

"Don't even say it, Lance. I know what's going on, but that doesn't make you any less valuable to the team. So stop worrying about who flies what and just focus on the missions. Things will work themselves out. They always have."

If her words didn't do it, Jenny's pleading face did the trick as he sighed before speaking.

"Okay."

"And while you're at it, leave the math to Pidge."

As Lance smiled at her, he thought of another situation.

"While we're talking math, how come you asked me to share a pod with you?"

This made Jenny shocked as her face turned beet red.

"Oh, Quiznak! I hope you'd forgotten that..."

"N-No, it's okay. I was just asking."

"You mean you don't remember what I told you?"

"Nah, I do. But knowing you, you've gotta have a personal motive for things like that."

Jenny smiled before blushing as she answered.

"Well... the truth is... I wanted to feel like... like we were..."

Then, Lance spoke the last word in her sentence before she could.

"Married?"

This made Jenny gasp before she spoke.

"How did you know?"

"I didn't."

Then, Lance thought about Allura's situation with her mice as she can speak telepathically to them before he got an idea in his head.

"Wait. Did I?"

Before Jenny could ask him anything, Babak spoke up.

"Everyone, if you've recovered from your last mission, please head back to the bridge."

Later, the Paladins, along with Allura, Babak, Coran, Adea, Luzria, Atchiam, Honerva, Alphus, Iyera, and Zarkon were referring to the map that popped up locations as Pidge spoke.

"He fought us here, his generals were here, and we intercepted Kaecilius while Lotor stole the comet here."

It was easy for even Lance to guess what it means.

"So, Lotor could be anywhere."

Jenny could agree with him.

"On top of that, we don't even know what his plan is."

Honerva begged to differ.

"Considering what we've seen, the plan should be obvious. He's planning to get the purest Quintessence possible."

This made Ayame look at her suspiciously.

"Is that why you let Haggar create Xaira in the first place?"

Jenny gave her own look of suspicion toward her as well.

"An even better question is 'why would you let her do this to Ayame but save me from her and Kaecilius'?"

Pidge had a different question in mind.

"Actually, Jenny, the better question is this. Why was Voltron made out of the same material as that comet? What's so special about it?"

Zarkon could sense a barrage of questions will be sent out after her as he stepped in.

"While I can't speak for her actions, I will try to answer your questions as best as I can."

Alphus had her own doubts.

"No. I will. You will just keep your mouth silenced."

Before the argument could begin, Jenny shouted.

"Stop it! Arguing ain't givin' anyone any answers."

With that settled, Allura spoke of the comet.

"My father discovered another comet like that before I was born."

Zarkon spoke along with her.

"Alfor... and myself. Back before we were even paladins."

Adea raised her hand up, catching Zarkon's notice.

"What is it?"

"I know everyone's asking a lot of questions, but... if you're married to Honerva, how come Xaira isn't half-Altean?"

As Adea's eyes beamed up while she asked, Lapis and Luzria pulled her back before they spoke.

"That's T.M.I., Adea."

"Yeah, you dunce! Besides, they can't answer this many questions at once."

As Adea frowned, Jenny spoke up to the two of them.

"Alphus, Zarkon, I know this is painful for both of you to talk about, but we need to hear the whole story."

Zarkon then turned her before he spoke.

"Alphus, you can explain the whole story."

Alphus nodded to him before a flashback of the original Paladins shown all together with them initiating trades and Blaytz warring against the Galra before it showed him and the others burying the hatchet at a grand hall as Zarkon and Alfor shook hands with Kaecilius smiling in pride as the war is over while she spoke.

"In the beginning, the Paladins were only five leaders. Despite coming from diverse cultures, even in spite of war against one another, they managed to look past their differences in an effort to protect their common interests. An effort Kaecilius especially appreciated, at least from what I heard from Alfor way back when. This initial agreement to work together blossomed into a true friendship. A warrior's bond was forged, and with that, they worked hard to protect their system from those who would cause harm to it."

Next, it showed a lambonite scavenger in a helmet with green eyes and a red cape firing a blaster at Alfor before they huddled into a cave and closed the door on him. However, that didn't stop Alfor as he went up where the skylight was and used it to go through and land on his helmet with his feet before he stood up with his sword ready before realizing his position as countless scavengers surrounded him.

"Oh, dear."

With that, the scavengers moved in to attack him one-by-one as Alfor pushed them back before he was ambushed and a scavenger got him pinned with his daggers close to his eyes, his armored wrist barely blocking them before they heard clanging from far away as they turned to see Zarkon charging toward them with his mace. As he swung at them, Blaytz, Trigel, and Gyrgan knocked them back as well before all of the scavengers were unconscious as Zarkon spoke to Alfor.

"I keep warning you not to break formation and run ahead, Alfor. You are much more knowledgeable as an alchemist than a soldier."

"That's what I keep you around for, Zarkon."

As the paladins enjoyed a feast at Daibazaal, Alphus spoke onward.

"As you know, the original Paladins of Voltron consisted of Emperor Zarkon from Daibazaal, King Alfor of Altea, Gyrgan from Rygnirath, Lady Trigel of the Dalterion Belt, and Blaytz from Nalquod."

As a servant arrived with a tray, Blaytz smiled at him before he took his drink and spoke to him.

"Pull up a bench and join the feast."

Zarkon only cleared his throat before he spoke.

"You know that fraternizing with the servant class is not permitted. It erodes discipline."

Alford spoke differently.

"Well, perhaps a bit of discipline erosive would do you good, Zarkon."

"Something I will consider the next time you are surrounded by Lambonite scavengers."

"I was handling myself."

Gyrgan poked fun at Alfor next.

"You mean wetting yourself?"

As Alfor frowned, everyone else, including Babak and Coran, laughed as he spoke.

"Why I ever joined up with this band of scoundrels, I'll never know."

Trigel then spoke as she raised her glass.

"Because we're the only band of scoundrels that would have you. To us!"

Suddenly, the ground shook before a bright light appeared above them as Gyrgan spoke.

"By willow!"

Suddenly, a flaming object flew past the building before it crash-landed in a desert while Alphus spoke.

"As far as they knew, something landed. But what they didn't count on was that someone went along with it, nor did they know that at that night, the universe would be changed... forever."

As the paladins investigated, Alfor and the others found not only a large comet where the impact was made, but they also found a female atop of it before Alfor went to her and picked her up, stirring her awake as he spoke to her.

"It's alright. You're safe."

With that, the girl, dazed as she was, spoke softly.

"Where... where am I?"

"You're on Daibazaal. Who are you and how did you get here?"

"I don't remember much about how I got here, but... I'm Alphus."

Later, a shield wrapped around the crater as the comet was removed while Alphus accompanied Alfor and Zarkon as they looked at a fragment while the latter spoke.

"I have finished evacuating all Galra citizens near the crater. What have you discovered?"

"We're not sure. And since Alphus can only remember her own name so far, I'm afraid we can't get any indication as of yet. In any case, this comet is like none seen before. It seems to be made of a material that can pass between realities."

"How was Alphus able to pass through, then?"

"I don't know how. But until she can remember, I'd have to assume she was shipwrecked on that comet. In any case, we can't deny what it's capable of."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I mean, that sages have always theorized that there are many realities stacked side by side with each other. Whole other universes with their own histories unbeknownst to us. But we never had any proof. Until now. When we moved the comet, we found this."

"This... is another reality?"

Then, Alphus spoke softly.

"I... I think? Maybe..."

Zarkon noticed her uneasiness and tried to help her out.

"It is alright, Alphus. You don't have to strain yourself trying to remember."

Then, he looked down to see a cat by his leg purring while earning his panic.

"Ahh! What is that?!"

The cat meowed before an Altean picked it up.

"Do not worry. It is only Kova. He is from our reality."

Then, Alphus looked at her and spoke.

"And you?"

This earned the girl's giggle before she spoke.

"Of course."

Alfor then spoke to her next.

"Alphus, Zarkon, this is Honerva. She is the best alchemist on Altea. I asked her to come to Daibazaal and lead the scientific investigation."

Then, another voice spoke from far away.

"Of course, you can't forget me, either."

As the figure walked up to them, he was revealed to have white hair and the similar eyes as Zarkon's, save for the purple irises.

"I feel my dedication to this work should get a fair mention of it as well."

This made Alfor embarrassed.

"Oh, that's right. This is Kaecilius, Honerva's right-hand man. Their expertise will be invaluable."

"Isn't it exciting? It could change the way we understand our entire universe."

"Yes, I agree it is exciting, Honerva. However, this whole endeavor's also... concerning."

"Come on, Kae, don't be a spoilsport."

In the meantime, Zarkon was blushing before he spoke.

"Well... find out everything you can. I will provide any support you require. I must go."

As he walked away, Honerva spoke about him to Kaecilius.

"He didn't stay long."

Then, as Alfor, Kaecilius, Honerva, and Zarkon worked on the rift in their own ways, Jenny spoke to Alphus.

"So, Honerva was just like me way back then?"

"That's right. She was kind, honest, compassionate, joyful, and humorous. At least that was my first impression of her. She continued her research on Daibazaal with Zarkon and Kaecilius while Alfor and I worked on ours at Altea, although we sometimes called for Kaecilius' help with it on one of our projects. We gave him the honor of creating the Violet Lion. It was breathtaking for him. During that time, I learned so much of their culture that I began to adopt their biology, much to my brother's surprise. We also paid her and Zarkon many visits as we presented Princess Allura."

At Daibazaal, Alfor spoke to Zarkon as he introduced the baby Allura to him.

"Zarkon, I'd like you to meet Princess Allura."

The baby looked up at Zarkon before he spoke.

"It is my pleasure. Please accept this gift in honor of your birth, Princess."

As her mother opened the box, it revealed a helmet to which she put on Allura before Alfor spoke.

"Honerva has really softened you up, my friend."

"Indeed. I never expected the great warrior Emperor Zarkon to marry an Altean alchemist."

This earned Zarkon's smile before he spoke.

"That is a pleasant surprise, isn't it?"

At the lab, Kaecilius looked out the window while Honerva worked before he spoke.

"Honerva... there's something that's been weighing on my mind lately."

"Really? And what's that?"

"This rift we're analyzing. Is that really meant to be discovered at all?"

This gave her pause before she turned to him.

"What makes you suggest that?"

"With respect, I've witnessed more violent dealings than I care to count before our leaders united. They thrived, quarreled, perished, all in an endless loop. And so, it seems to me that for other realities to do this is the height of futility."

Honerva only smiled at him before she spoke.

"Well, look at it this way, Kae. If there are other realities like that, maybe we can bring them to peace, too."

This made his eyes widen before a smile appeared.

"Hmm. Then it would seem hope isn't lost after all."

Then, he proceeded to walk out the lab as he spoke quietly.

"It would seem..."

Later, Alphus, Alfor, and Zarkon joined Honerva before the leader of the Alteans spoke.

"Honerva, working hard as always. Many thanks for the gift. Allura loves it."

"It was a customary gesture."

"Of course. Where's Kaecilius?"

"He's examining the rift with his soldiers."

"That close?"

"Don't worry. He has protection."

"Right. How is our Quintessence experiment?"

"Still running."

She then pointed to a device that is self-sustaining in a blue light before Alphus spoke.

"Amazing... running for a full decaphoeb on one drop with no decline in revolutions per dobosh."

"Uh, that's what I was going to say, Alphus."

"Sorry, brother. I'm just beginning to understand it now."

"You mean your memory's coming back?"

"Just bits and pieces in a month, but that's about as much as I can handle at the moment."

"Well, that's good to hear. Anyway, no other energy source like this exists. The ships we're creating for us work on the same principle, and the ore from the comet practically engineers itself. It's... frightening, in a way."

Being a warrior, Zarkon looked at the good news his way.

"Endlessly powerful ships for the Galra Empire."

"And an endless source of clean energy for the entire system."

"Of course."

Just then, Alphus noticed an unfamiliar face wearing a black armor with a grey cape and red irises with long raven hair sitting in a chair whilst looking at a small speck of red-purple light that seems to be moving itself before she spoke.

"Honerva... Who's that?"

Honerva explained herself as she went up to her.

"Kae sent some signals into the neighboring reality and they answered the call. Nothing from our universe has been able to survive the passage through the rift. But somehow, they arrived unharmed."

As the figure looked at them, he spoke in a deep soft voice.

"Oh, my apologies. It's nice to see you again."

As Alphus felt uneasy, she spoke confusedly.

"Again? Do I know you?"

"Oh... you've lost your memory?"

"Unfortunately. But it's coming back. I can't help but feel I should know you."

"You should. I am Omegus."

Hearing that name, Alphus' eyes widened before she got a headache, forcing her to clutch her head as she moaned, worrying Honerva and Alfor as Zarkon watched while the two of them went to her.

"Alphus!"

"Are you alright?"

As Alphus winced, she responded.

"Yeah... I've just got another memory."

"So you do know him?"

"I guess. But, Honerva... are you sure this is the best idea? I may not remember much, but I don't think we should trust him, or that thing."

Alfor could agree with Alphus as he lifted her up.

"Alphus is right. I thought we discussed this. We must exercise caution. We have no idea know what is out there."

"The ancients thought that lightning was shot from the bows of the gods until science proved otherwise. We must always push into dangerous territory in pursuit of knowledge."

Omegus then flickered his hand behind his back with a smirk before the speck began to react violently as it screeched. Suddenly, a larger portion of the creature came through the rift before it swarmed the drones along with Kaecilius as he exclaimed, making Honerva worried.

"Kae!"

Then, the creature erupted like water spouts through the lens as Alphus shoved the others out.

"We need to leave now!"

As Alphus shoved them, the creature overtook the lab.

Later, a particle barrier was erected around the crater to trap the creature with Galra drones trained on it while Ayame and Alphus spoke.

"Kaecilius was trapped in that thing? That sounds terrible."

"It gets worse. Once it got out of control, my brother, Honerva, and I erected a particle barrier to contain it, but we both knew it wouldn't hold forever."

Honerva and Zarkon felt the situation was getting bleak.

"The barrier is weakening. We don't have long."

"Once those creatures escape, my forces will be quickly overrun. My planet, my people..."

However, Honerva had faith in Alphus' powers.

"Alfor and Alphus' project will save us."

"Let us hope."

In the Castle, Zarkon spoke with Alphus.

"I trust this plan of yours will work, Alphus."

"Just wait and see."

As it showed the lions, the leaders looked on in surprise while Alfor and Alphus smiled and Gyrgan exclaimed.

"By Willow!"

When they exited, they saw seven lions consisting of Red, Yellow, Green, Blue, Black, White, and Violet as Alphus noticed a Galra with short and curly purple hair in the room before she spoke to her.

"Marmora."

Marmora then turned to see Alphus and Zarkon.

"So, you've brought the whole gang here?"

"Yes. And we have bad news."

As Alphus spoke with Marmora, Zarkon spoke to Alfor.

"Alfor, they're amazing. How do they work?"

"I made them from the Quintessence-infused ore of the comet, which provides them with an endless supply of power."

"Remarkable!"

"The comet alloy also renders them nearly indestructible."

Blaytz was curious on how they can fight.

"What sort of weaponry do they have?"

"This is where things become more... interesting. Altean alchemy can accomplish some incredible feats of engineering, as you know. But in testing our ships, Alphus and I started to feel some sort of psychic link. I'm not sure how to explain it, but the ships weren't just reading our mind. They were communicating with us. They seem to be evolving. We don't yet know what powers these ships possess, but we may gain understanding with time."

"Time? Time slips away even as we stand here. Kaecilius, let alone my people, will soon be slaughtered by dark creatures from another realm. Without these ships, all hope is lost!"

Alfor held his head down before he spoke.

"I understand."

With that, the Paladins gathered by the lions with the Blue Lion choosing Blaytz, Green choosing Trigel, Yellow choosing Gyrgan, Black choosing Zarkon, Violet choosing Marmora, and White choosing Alphus as Alfor spoke.

"It may take some doing. These are not regular ships to be chosen at a whim. You do not pick the beast. The beast will choose you."

As they took off in their lions, Blaytz shouted in excitement.

"Yeah!"

When they got outside Altea's orbit, Alfor spoke to the Paladins.

"Now, go easy at the beginning. This is greater energy than you have ever worked with before."

Zarkon spoke to Alfor next as he spoke.

"Perhaps you should lead the formation, Alfor. You have a greater understanding of the vessels than anyone."

"I'm a better alchemist than military leader, Zarkon. I'll stick with being your right hand."

"Very well, then. On my mark, Paladins! Right flank, Alfor and Blaytz. Left flank, Trigel and Gyrgan."

With that, they took said positions as they headed for Daibazaal.

Meanwhile, the creature broke free from the barrier before it formed into a giant colossus with a yellow eye staring at them before the drones fired at them. In retaliation, the creature fired a blast from its eye and caused destruction as Honerva watched before the Paladins arrived while Zarkon spoke.

"Paladins, I'll fly ahead and divert its attention. The rest of you, attack from all sides!"

With that, the Black Lion shot at the creature before it attempted to swat at it, only for it to slump back on the ground.

"Fire!"

As the creature's eye shot out a yellow laser, the lions swarmed in with the Violet Lion firing its ion cannon at it, but to no avail as it went through the beast.

"It didn't work, Zarkon!"

"Keep firing!"

As the Blue Lion went through it first, it causes a piece of it to break apart before it swarmed toward him and clamped down on him before Blaytz grunted as the alarm beeped.

"These blasted things are covering me!"

Suddenly, it morphed over the Lion into a shooting star, concerning Alfor.

"Blaytz!"

Seeing his comrade in danger, he shot at it, freeing Blaytz from its death trap before they flew away as the latter thanked his rescuer.

"Th-Thanks, Alfor!"

"Anytime."

Then, Gyrgan farted toward the beast with a tell before he spun the yellow lion into a drill.

"Spinning head smash!"

Upon noticing, the creature split up a hole in its center, catching him by surprise as the yellow lion zipped past it and went back up from underground.

"I can't hit it!"

Then, Alphus had a plan.

"Okay. I think I know what to do."

With that, the White Lion opened its mouth before it fired scatter blasts at the creature, which split apart again before the pieces overwhelmed the lasers and caught Alphus by a foreleg, forcing her to fire at it in order to be free.

"So much for that plan. What do we do, Zarkon?"

"Fall back, Paladins! We must regroup!"

Then, Alfor received a voice in his head before he spoke.

"Wait! We must come together in formation."

This concerned Trigel.

"What? Why?"

"I don't know, but somehow I can feel it."

For Alphus, her case was different.

"I feel something, too. But it's actually beyond what the other lions had in mind."

With that, the five lions went up while the White and Violet stayed in formation as Gyrgan and Trigel spoke.

"Hey, I feel it!"

"I do, too! What's happening?"

Alfor figures out the answer as he heard his lion growl and he turned behind him to see the giant figure.

"Voltron."

In the case of Alphus and Marmora, they noticed two additional slots for each before the former spoke.

"Are you hearing this, Marmora?"

"Yes, Alphus. But how come we aren't joining the others?"

"Something tells me we'll find out."

With that, Alphus and Marmora slammer their individual bayards into the slot before their eyes opened to show white eyes from Alphus and Yellow eyes from Marmora before they saw their lions in their robot forms. A brief period after, the creature looked up to see the five Paladins yelling before they punched the creature and split it apart whilst Alphus and Marmora descended in their individual and independent robot forms as they spoke their elation.

"I can't believe we did it!"

"How did this come about?"

"Am I a leg?"

"This power, it's unbelievable."

"I'd agree with you there, Zarkon."

"Brother, what is this?"

"This is Voltron."

Suddenly, the creatures returned from underground before it began to fire at them with Alphus determined to save her brother before taking the hit. In doing so, Alphus discoverer the White Lion's ability.

"What? Is that a particle barrier?"

Zarkon praised her ability.

"Well done, Alphus!"

In spite of this, the creature added more ammunition into the laser, causing the White Voltron to fall back as the Violet Voltron turned to the creature before Marmora shouted.

"You leave her alone!"

As Marmora twisted her bayards, the Violet Voltron forged a scythe before darting towards it and evading the tentacles that came her way before she sliced them before attempting to slice the head, only to be knocked back by the strays that were cut off before landing by Alphus as the creatures then swarmed the three of them in red-purple-black domes as Zarkon grunted.

"It's trying to rip into us!"

Alphus and Marmora gave their own groans as well while they spoke.

"It's... it's overwhelming us!"

"We need to get it off!"

Then, Alfor noticed a slot opening up for him to plunge his bayard as he spoke.

"I know what to do!"

As he plunged his bayard in and twisted, Voltron summoned his sword while Alphus and Marmora did the same, summoning a dual naginata for the former and two swords for the latter before they all sliced their own demons apart and defeated them as they detonated. In the process, the dust lifted to reveal Kaecilius on the floor panting as Alphus lowered it to go to him.

"Kaecilius!"

As he groaned, Alphus spoke to Alfor.

"We have to get him help. Tell Babak to come to Daibazaal immediately."

Later, as Alphus and Babak looked over Kaecilius, she spoke to him.

"I'm sorry, Babak. This creature got to him before we could evacuate."

"Why did this have to happen? I... I could've done something! I should've been there!"

"Babak. There was nothing you could've done."

Suddenly, Kaecilius groaned before he opened his eyes to reveal glowing yellow sclerae within his purple irises with purple outlining, catching their attention before Babak spoke.

"Kaecilius! You're alright! Thank the ancients!"

He then took a deep breath before he spoke.

"Where am I? What has happened?"

"Still on Daibazaal. You were trapped in the creature's bowels. We must test you for any side effects of the exposure."

"Very well, then."

As Babak hauled off Kaecilius, Alphus went to tell Honerva the good news as she got caught up in an apparently heated argument.

"We must find a way to seal up this rift."

"Seal the rift? Why?"

"It nearly destroyed Daibazaal!"

"Those creatures nearly destroyed Daibazaal, and you found a way to defeat them and save Kae."

"Zarkon, surely you agree with me. It must be closed."

Zarkon then began to adopt a different ideology.

"Perhaps not. Look at what we've gained, Alfor. Your ships are the most powerful machines ever created. Who knows what else may be discovered if we continue working?"

"You would risk your entire planet, the entire solar system, for what? For more power?"

"You know it's more than that."

"We already have Voltron. You have to know when it's enough."

"I'll decide what's enough on MY planet!"

This made Alfor and Alphus gasp before Zarkon spoke reverently.

"I'm sorry, Alfor. The work will continue."

As Zarkon walked away, Alphus got Honerva's attention before she asked.

"How's Kae?"

"He's fine. Babak's doing a checkup with him to see how the exposure affected him."

"That's good to hear. Still... what could Omegus have to gain from this?"

"I don't know... I wish I knew."

As Honerva and Zarkon worked on the rift, Alphus, Marmora, and Babak went on the manhunt for Omegus alongside the Paladins while Adea spoke to Alphus.

"You mean, you actually knew Marmora 10,000 years ago?"

"She was one of my close friends. I knew how valuable she'd be to the team, so I asked Kaecilius to construct the Violet Lion for her. And I was right about her. But we haven't seen Omegus since we stopped his creature from destroying Daibazaal, so a manhunt was in order. While Marmora and I searched for him, my brother and his Paladins established a new era of peace and prosperity, as well as an age of exploration, christening Voltron as the Defender of the Universe, a legend that no doubt lived to this day. As we searched for him, though, Kaecilius was growing more... erratic. Unstable. Dangerous, even. After his attack, he'd developed new powers to aid in the hunt. Unfortunately, darkness also took root in his heart."

At a cloudy planet, Kaecilius had captured a Lambonite scavenger before gripping him by the throat as he spoke to him.

"Running, are you?"

As Kaecilius prepared to strike Babak stopped him before he spoke.

"Kaecilius! What are you doing?!"

"Getting results."

"And blindly attacking a being with no reason at all."

"They've given me more than enough reason to carry out my work."

"Your work?"

Then, he remembered that a string of incidents occurred whenever he was on missions and this gave him cause for concern.

"Say it's not true. Were you the one who caused these so-called 'incidents' that resulted in their demise?"

Kaecilius only smiled before he spoke.

"What difference would that make if I was?"

"SAY IT IS NOT TRUE!"

Kaecilius only maintained his smirk before Babak spoke again.

"Alfor would never let this pass. We would pay for such evil deeds..."

"And those scavengers shall pay for theirs."

"Not at your hands! Vengeance belongs to the gods, Kaecilius!"

"Exactly."

This made Babak widen his eyes in concern.

"Why else do you think I've been carrying out this line of work as of late? The gods are angry at those wretched beasts. They were gifted with life, brains capable of wisdom, but they waste it completely. It's high-time these gifts are taken back, whether you like it or not."

As he walked away, Kaecilius maintained his smile before Babak sighed in sorrow before it showed the dying Daibazaal as Alfor and Alphus visited him with the latter still maintaining her youthful vigor while Alfor had grown a beard as they stepped out of their lions toward Zarkon.

"And it's only gotten worse. Over time, Kaecilius wasn't the only one to rot away. Daibazaal, the Galran homeworld, was dying. My brother and I tried to convince Zarkon and Honerva to stop their work before it overtakes their own world, and I mean that in more ways than one."

"Alpha and I heard there were three more earthquakes this movement."

"Don't worry. I'm installing stabilizers to strengthen the planet's cohesion."

"Zarkon, my scientists have scanned Daibazaal. It is fracturing. Soon, the structural integrity will—"

As usual, Zarkon refused to listen.

"I can't stop Honerva's work now! She's discovering more every day!"

Alphus tried to reach out to him.

"But your own planet is dying! Sooner rather than later, your people will go with it!"

"With all due respect, Alphus, I have to disagree."

With that, he took them inside the lab as she noticed Honerva working with the rift as usual. Although, this time, she didn't even care to look behind her, concerning her as Zarkon spoke.

"Her team has developed a space cruiser five times the size of our current largest ship. But that's nothing."

With that, Alphus tried to reach out to Honerva next.

"Hello, Honerva. It's... been decaphoebs."

"I hope you haven't come to try to shut down my work. There is more hidden knowledge and power in this tiny fissure than you can possibly understand."

Alphus had every right to disagree as she spoke of her complete memorial restoration.

"I wouldn't count on it. I remember everything now. And I know that what you're doing is unsanctioned. It was forbidden by the gods for mortals to go anywhere near it for a reason. Look at what it's done to..."

Suddenly, Kova went up by Honerva before Alphus spoke.

"Wait. Is that Kova? How old is he now?"

"20 deca-phoebs old. Shortly after the creatures attacked, he fell ill. But then, I began treating him with Quintessence."

"You what? How could you?!"

"He revealed the truth to us. Quintessence is so much more than you can understand. It is life itself."

"From what I've seen so far, all I've seen is death."

This enraged Honerva before she spoke.

"You've always been a coward."

As she heard those words, Alphus grew hurt.

"Honerva... what's happened to you?"

"You wish to close off our gateway to enlightenment. We should be expanding it!"

"If we use Voltron, we can enlarge the opening to the other reality."

"What about your planet, Zarkon? What's going to happen to it then?"

"What would it matter if we discover a new world entirely?"

This frightened Alphus before Alfor spoke.

"It's madness! This prolonged exposure to Quintessence has poisoned your minds! You're not immune to it like Alphus is!"

"We've only scratched the surface. We can rule this entire universe! We can live forever! All of us!"

This made Alphus as angry as she was frightened.

"Listen to yourself! What happened to being a Paladin?! To protecting the universe!"

"Conquering it is the only way to guarantee it!"

"You honestly can't expect me to believe that!"

"I want to save the universe! All of my people do, and come Darkness or high water, we will!"

Alphus tensed her hands before she spoke.

"Then you'll do it without us. We won't be a part of this."

"You are only one part of Voltron, Alphus."

"And what makes you any better?"

"You cannot hold us all back because of your fear!"

"Like it or not, I am. I won't let you destroy your own planet over foolish curiosity!"

As Zarkon shouted at her, Alphus's hands began bleeding as her nails dug into them while her eyes glowed bright blue.

"Foolish?! Alphus, I lead the Paladins! I command you!"

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMAND ME!"

Suddenly, Alphus sent out a burst of Quintessence from her body, forcing Alfor and Zarkon back while pushing Honerva to the wall far away before falling to the floor, earning both Alphus and Zarkon's concerns as they ran to her.

"Oh, no...

"Honerva? Honerva!"

"What have I done...?"

Later, Alfor and Alphus waited out by the door as Zarkon tended to Honerva, the latter shedding tears over what she'd done as her victim twitched.

"We mu— We must... We must have... We must have it. Get back, get back, get back..."

Zarkon then spoke to her, trying to understand her.

"What is it, my love?"

"Uh, Quinte— Quintessence. Quintessence is life."

She then took a sharp breath before she spoke again.

"Into the— into the rift."

She then moaned while Zarkon held his hand close to her face.

"How?"

"We mu— We must— We must have Voltron. Voltron! Voltron. Voltron... it is the only way..."

At the Castle, Zarkon spoke with the five Paladins while Alphus stayed with Honerva.

"Alfor and Alphus tried to warn me, but I would not listen. Now, my wife has fallen ill, and my planet is on the brink of collapse. So I must beg you, my trusted comrades, to join me on a most dangerous quest. We must close the rift, and I need Voltron to do it."

The four of them looked at each other before Marmora spoke.

"We'll help you."

"I only hope it is not too late to heal the rift in my planet... and our friendship."

With that, Alfor held his had to Zarkon's before they shook their hands while Alphus looked after Honerva before she tried to come to a decision.

"I'm so sorry, Honerva... but I don't know how else to save you."

With that, Alphus placed her hand on hers and generated a blue light on where her hand is placed before her twitching has ceased and her ragged breathing has now slowed to a calm one before Honerva looked at her.

"Alphus... I'm so sorry..."

Then, Alphus shushed her before she spoke softly.

"It's okay. Just get your rest."

As she shed tears upon her, Alphus heard Omegus' voice.

"So... you've come to your senses at last, Alphus."

As Alphus turned behind her, she found herself ambushed by Omegus as he knocked her to the wall unconscious before he spoke.

"The circle is now complete. You have served your purpose. But now it's over."

Later, the Paladins arrived at Daibazaal while Alphus spoke.

"Just after I healed Honerva trying to fix my mistake, Omegus ambushed me so that Zarkon can carry out his true plan. He'd lied to them in order to bring Honerva back. Because I was unconscious, I wasn't able to tell him that. By the time I came to, they were already at Daibazaal."

With that, Voltron punched a hole into the lab before tossing it away as Zarkon spoke.

"Honerva told me the only way to close the rift was to use the power of the Quintessence. We must make the opening bigger first to gather the power."

"How do we do that?"

"We use the sword."

Then, Zarkon shouted the command.

"Form sword!"

With that, Voltron plunged his sword into the rift as they were blinded by the light.

"It's too much!"

"Stay focused!"

With that one push, they entered the reality as they woke up and groaned not long after before Blaytz and Alfor spoke.

"Where are we?"

"We're in the rift."

Suddenly, an alarm went off as Zarkon went out with Honerva in his arms.

"No! Zarkon, what are you doing?"

As Zarkon held her up to the light, Alfor and Blaytz spoke again.

"We have to get them out of there!"

"We must hurry. The creatures have returned!"

Suddenly, the creatures swarmed around both Voltrons and Honerva and Zarkon, earning her grunts while Zarkon shouted before his eyes turned bright purple. Suddenly, Alphus' voice spoke up.

"LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!"

With that, the White Voltron rapidly sliced through the creatures, destroying them before she grabbed them and took off with the two Voltrons following her lead before they got out. As they did, a giant crater was glowing bright yellow light as the rift expanded. Upon getting out of the lions, Alphus found out to her terror that the two of them had perished due to overexposure to Quintessence as she sobbed on Honerva's corpse, holding her tightly to her chest as if she'd lost her mother. After which, the Galra was forced to leave before it was destroyed. After which, it showed the castle while Alfor and the others held a funeral. Meanwhile, Alphus was grieving as well as sobbing in her own room, much to Alfor's heartache as Alphus spoke.

"When we got out, we found out that Zarkon and Honerva died from overexposure to Quintessence. I was... shattered. I blamed myself for every moment of my waking life for what happened. If I had just told them I healed her in time prior to his attempt, none of them would've been lost to us. But that was hardly the main concern. Zarkon's attempt only pushed Daibazaal closet to the end. We were forced to evacuate the populace before we closed the rift the only way we knew how: by destroying Daibazaal. While my brother held a state funeral, I was still coping with the fact that my best friend and fellow paladin were both gone."

Then, Alfor found himself accompanied by another Altean and his young daughter before they walked over to her as he placed his hand on her and he spoke.

"Alphus... I know you miss them a great deal, but you mustn't blame yourself."

"Why not? I kept my true identity a secret from them. This wouldn't have happened if I just told them before this. But it's too late... I can't get them back..."

In the Galra cruiser, Omegus and Kaecilius appeared beside Zarkon and Honerva's covered bodies before the former spoke to them as he placed his hand in his chest, linking with him.

"I was wrong. It turned out, their bodies were... paused. Omegus' creatures made sure of that."

Inside the mindscape, Omegus spoke to Zarkon.

"Zarkon... Zarkon... Zarkon!"

This made him startled awake before he found himself in the presence of Omegus' true form as it towered over him.

"Omegus! W-Why am I not one with the ancients? Am I alive?"

"You are not. Yet you cannot join the ancients because a certain lifeblood once flowed through your veins."

"Quintessence. Of course. But, what about Honerva?"

"Honerva has passed as well. However, I cannot be able to link with her as her quality of Quintessence is beyond yours."

"Beyond mine? So... I saved her?"

"No. Alphus has done this task before you set out to do so."

"But why keep this to herself?"

"Because, it is not a mortal's place to command a god."

Then, Zarkon remembered what Alphus had done to Honerva and what she had said.

"She was a deity this whole time? So, what happened to Honerva was no accident, then."

"Indeed. It is truly unjust. As such, I wish to finish what I began when I set foot on your home. And for that, my Quintessence requires a vessel."

"So... I shall live once more?"

"Only to serve me! Your husk will simply be an instrument of my will."

As his eyes glowed, Omegus' light overcame Zarkon before he woke up in the real world to find that Honerva had awoken with darker blue skin and Kaecilius joining her as he lifted her up.

"It's been a long time, partner."

Suddenly, the door opened, frightening the guard as Zarkon spoke in a darker voice.

"Where am I?"

"Aboard your ship, sir."

"Take us home."

"I can't, sir. Daibazaal has been destroyed."

This made Zarkon's eyes tighten to a near close before Omegus spoke up in his mind.

"How dare those wretched pests interfere... you know what to do."

Later, Zarkon sent a message to the solar system, catching the paladins by surprise, Alphus most of all.

"My fellow Galra, King Alfor of Altea has destroyed our planet. And his kin, Alphus, is a deity that exists from another reality that has allowed this atrocity to occur. They must pay dearly for their crimes. Rise up and join your emperor! Revenge will be ours!"

Alphus tensed her hands in pain as she knew it meant one thing.

"Omegus..."

Then, it showed her speaking with the lions as she rewrote them. Next, it showed the three Paladins with their new partners (Senix and Liza, Alphus' husband and daughter which are paired with Blaytz, Bexul, a Galra partnered up with Gyrgan, Astral, a novice Altean alchemist joined with Trigel, and finally, Zaltron, a loyal Galran soldier which stood by Marmora's side) before they took off for their designated areas while Alphus stayed behind to rewrite the White Lion as it glowed blue circuits all over its frame as she spoke.

"Zarkon had become pure evil, just as obsessed with Quintessence as ever. With that, a new war started as Zarkon needed Voltron to open a new rift. As he overpowered the peaceful planets of our solar system, I rewrote the lions in case Zarkon did get to them. I changed their requirements to be able to fly so that they can be driven by two paladins at the start until they were comfortable enough for one of them. Given the Galra's increasingly violent nature, that wouldn't happen anytime soon. With their new partners selected, they were able to get the lions away from Zarkon. But the White Lion... it had to be a special case. In case Zarkon found a way around that, I needed to block him out from utilizing Voltron's power completely. As such, the requirement was this: that the White Lion can only be wielded by either one of Two Paladins: one of light, and one of the dark that held high regards for the good of the universe. Because, as is the case with all of us, we all have light and dark in us. That's when I saw Alfor preparing for his sacrifice."

Suddenly, Alphus noticed Alfor with his sword as he walked out, worrying her as she went to follow. When she saw Alfor stand against Zarkon, she saw him speaking to Zarkon and Kaecilius.

"Zarkon, I cannot let you destroy my home!"

"Why not? You destroyed mine."

"Genocide does not justify my people's extinction!"

Then, Kaecilius laughed a bit before he spoke up.

"You speak of crimes, Alfor, but what you and your sister have done is far worse."

"What do you mean?!"

"If you had left well enough alone with that comet, there would not be a dissent between you and your comrades, let alone their peoples' annihilation. The machines you've created made this possible. All this horror, as you deem it, it all begins with you. Don't blame us for our righteous judgment. Blame yourself! That's all you can do! Vengeance belongs to the gods, after all."

This made Alfor roar in anger as Kaecilius smirked before Zarkon slashed through him, landing a killing blow as he fell dead before Alphus shed tears as her eyes turned blue whilst screaming in agony.

"NOOOOOOOOO!"

By the time they noticed, they were unable to stop her shockwave from knocking them away while it also forced them the zaiforge canons that have been fired to self destruct before they could make contact and the Alteans and Galra on that planet turned to dust, save for Zarkon and Kaecilius as the blast knocked them well enough away. In the aftermath, dark clouds hung over her as they rained down upon her before she woke up and saw the damage she had caused. Not one being that is Galra or Altean were left alive as she saw countless piles of Galran and Altean clothes littering the ruins as Alphus realized her destructive powers.

"Oh, no... not again."

As tears streamed down her face, Alphus fell to the floor as she cried again for all of the souls taken by her hand before she was forced to hide under the bridge while Kaecilius spoke.

"What has happened?"

Sendak spoke to him over the communicator to answer him.

"I don't know. But it seems to have wiped out the Alteans on this planet altogether. Our own soldiers too."

This gave him an idea as he spoke.

"Perfect. Perhaps we shall use this planet as an example for anyone who dares to defy us."

"What are you implying, sir?"

"We shall leave this planet spared. It is bound to rot sooner or later."

"Understood."

After they had flown from the scene, Alphus held her head down in shame before she cried once again. After a moment, Alphus was forced to leave with the White Lion and depart further into space in sadness before it went back to the present.

"When Zarkon killed Alfor, I did something worse: I caused global extermination of everyone on Altea with my sorrow. In my shame, I swore never to return to this solar system ever again and took the White Lion with me to Planet X, a place I named where no one could find me for 10,000 years... until now."

In the Castle, the whole group was shocked over what she'd done as Allura and Babak spoke.

"You mean you destroyed Altea's citizens?"

"Alphus... how could you?"

As Alphus held her head down, Zarkon felt even worse.

"This wasn't her fault. It was my doing. If I had just set my pride aside, I wouldn't have forced Alphus into this. In fact, Alphus was the whole reason I... commenced a relationship with your mother, Ayame."

"What?"

"When I captured your mother and her crew from Earth, I saw the same spirit Alphus had inside her. And that spirit needed to have a generation that can withstand this trying time. It was a miracle I was able to have a few moments with her before Omegus took control again. But... I didn't want to achieve it out of desperation. I wanted it to be on her terms. So, I told your mother of my exploits as a Paladin of Voltron. I told her every painful and agonizing detail of my story. Perhaps it was out of pity or of concern for the universe, but either way... she agreed. She cared about you more than anything else. And so did I, knowing you would be the future for the Galra, whether Honerva wished to believe it or not. So, when I found out you were terminated... I was broken. I thought I'd lost hope. I am so proud to see I am wrong."

As Ayame held her head down, Adea, Luzria, Lapis, and Atchiam felt bad for her before he spoke again, trying to hold back the hurt from manipulating his voice.

"And, about your mother, I know it's not enough, but... I really am sorry."

Then, Ayame hugged Zarkon quickly as his eyes widened before he returned the favor. As for Honerva, she still felt hurt before Jenny held her hand and walked her out of the bridge. When they stopped at the hall, Jenny spoke to Honerva.

"Let them have this. We've all suffered enough already. Besides, Zarkon did it for the universe, for you. You wouldn't be here as you are if he didn't do that."

Honerva then smiled at her as she spoke softly.

"You sound just like me when I was your age..."

"I do?"

"Yes. But you mustn't make the same mistakes I made. Or you'll be too much like me..."

Then, Jenny spoke to her as she went to her knees and held her hands atop of Honerva's.

"That's going to be a problem... because... I want you to teach me."

This made her eyes widen as the young girl explained.

"There's so much about my culture that I don't know, so much to gain from it. I need your help. Please..."

Honerva felt she wasn't in quite the position to accept that after what she'd done, but then, she saw herself as a young child before she smiled at her and spoke.

"Very well. What would you like to know?"

Before she could reply, they noticed Shiro walking by then with his hair cut off as they looked on in awe and wonder at his recovery before she spoke.

"Maybe I'd like to know what's really going on with Shiro..."

As he walked forward, the group spoke far away with Pidge and Keith speaking.

"So, Zarkon's right. His plan is to cross into other universes and get the purest Quintessence possible."

"No matter what, we have to stop him."

With that, Shiro walked in as he spoke.

"Great job out there, everyone. You've really turned the tide in this war. I'm glad you never lost sight of the mission while I was gone."

Lance and Allura felt happy to see him in shape again.

"You're looking better."

"How are you feeling?"

"Good. Just trying to get rid of this weird headache."

Then, Alphus walked over to him before she spoke.

"Well, you'll have to hold off on that. You have to know why we have to stop Lotor."

Meanwhile at Base: Xanthium, it showed Kaecilius walking with a red and black hood over him as he entered the elevator and traveled down in it before the doors opened to allow him to see a body resembling Shiro in a capsule before he removed his hood, exposing his now purple, long, and spiky hair going down by his pointy ears as he walked to him as he spoke, as if somehow communicating to the original.

"I've done it, Shiro. Achieved the unimaginable. Sculpted your clone with a strand of DNA from a fleck of blood, swabbed from the scene of your epic final battle. Your doppelganger will soon possess your speed, strength, morality even. But not your mind. He only knows what I've programmed him to know, since you've taken your secrets to the proverbial grave. But why should I complain? Your data has provided me more than I ever imagined. As long as this vessel of mine, one of the first of many in store, that will be all for me. I resented being cheated out of orchestrating your destruction, but I'm over it. In fact, this whole miserable experience has only made me stronger. Put me back in touch with my roots. So, now that you are no longer a drag to my plans..."

Kaecilius then opened a dark veil, witnessing Alphus conversing with the Shiro about stopping Lotor.

"...you shall help me to achieve them."