Voltron: Dark Universe
Capítulo 20:
"Return to Orion Prime"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The Castle traveled through the wormhole and no one dared say a single word. Each in its respective position, clinging to their seats or to the controls. They were worried, also exhausted, and hopeful. They waited in silence for the time to come. Moistening his mouth, breathing heavily.
Until they reached their destination.
…
…
The last time they were on Orion Prime, it was just a barren planet. A huge rock floating in space, where life was no more able to be held. But now something strange was happening: the planet was changing, it was cracking, expelling huge fragments into space, and reconstructing itself with what was left. It looked like a kind of terraforming, and the strange deformation made it possible to see the purple light emanating from within.
They knew the Dark Beast was there. They knew Lance was there. And they also knew that anything could happen. The new appearance of the planet was proof of that. Keith swallowed and said quietly.
"It's time."
…
The Paladins got on their Lions and left through the hangar. They positioned themselves around the Castle to protect it, and so they advanced alongside. They were moving slowly, despite everyone's anxiety which was only increasing. They feared that at any moment the Dark Beast, or something else, would suddenly attack them.
It was an easy plan, and so risky: to reach the surface, find Lance and the Dark Beast, confront them with the Luminous Quintessence and thus rescue one and destroy the other. If that was the case, why didn't they feel safe? Well, because they were fighting against a superior force unknown to them, and there were still many things that they didn't knew about the Beast. Also, they weren't going to face just one enemy, but one that'll use a friend. The battle would be difficult.
Then what they expected happened, the entire planet began to glow more and more until they were blinded by light.
"Watch out!" Keith shouted.
And then that light was cast out. Like a seismic bomb, an energy wave emerged that further cracking the surface, asteroids flew in all directions, and upon contact with that energy the Lions were overloaded, as well as the Castle.
"Is everyone okay?" Allura asked.
"Everything okay in here," said Hunk.
"Shiro, Coran?" Keith asked.
"Here we are. But the explosion messed the Castle's controls and energy. Shields have to be recharged."
"He knows we're here," said the Princess. "Do you think we can get closer?"
"I'm going to find out," Hunk said. The Yellow Lion addressed one of the asteroids and send it back towards Orion Prime.
They expected the Planet to emit the same blast wave but it didn't.
"Okay," said Keith, "this is our chance."
"But what about the Castle?" -she said.
"Don't worry, Princess, as soon as we are recharged, we'll reach you."
"It's coming again!" Pidge yelled.
Orion Prime started to light up faster. The blast wave shook the surface and everything around it again, and this time the Lions suffered more damage. Their system was overloaded and they were disabled. All but the Black Lion. When Keith opened his eyes, he got to see a white energy shield around the Black Lion before disappearing, and knew inside that it was protection by the Luminous Quintessence.
"Are you okay?" He asked, but received no answer. "Hello? Can you hear me? Dammit!"
Keith released the controls and threw himself into his seat. He stared at Orion Prime, thinking about everything he knew, about what he wanted and what he feared. He couldn't explain it, but he knew he should go there. Something or someone was calling him to go down to the planet, or what was left of it. He turned the Lion to see his friends, Keith didn't want to leave them, but he also thought that if they stayed there, they would be safe. Also, he had already left a friend before, and he wouldn't do it again. He took a deep breath and held the controls tight.
"Black," he said to his Lion, "it's up to us."
Keith heard a response in the form of a roar from the Lion, and then they headed for Orion Prime.
…
He moved cautiously, not knowing exactly where he was going, until he noticed an area where he could land, it almost looked like a hangar. Keith landed the Lion and was not surprised when he saw a narrow gap. It could be a trap, Keith would have to abandon his Lion to face the Dark Beast, but he had no choice.
"You know I have to do this," his Lion gave a slight roar. "Now I need you to take care of the others. I promise that I will be fine... Now I'll go."
Keith left the Black Lion, and it got up and returned with the others. Keith watched her fly away and took a deep breath, then he entered. The complete surface shined in purple light, so Keith could almost see the inside with no problem. The hole led him to a huge cave. The space was so large that the Lions would fit on their feet. Then the ground shook, the light increased again, and Keith knew it was another blast wave. He clung to the wall behind him, but the wave shook him hard. He almost fell to the ground, but managed to hold on. He felt heat on his side and saw white flashes. Apparently, the Luminous Quintessence had protected him again. But Keith wasn't controlling it, this shield had activated on its own, and he was hoping it would activate in time later.
Keith walked through the cave, which only increased in size. The walls were covered with luminous veins, all heading to the same place, and Keith followed them, until he found a completely dark space. He took his Bayard and activated his sword. Something inside him told him he was very close. And then he recognized his growl. From the darkness he managed to make out the silhouette of the Dark Beast. He thought he saw his back and his claws, and then two purple eyes appeared a few meters from him. Keith heard the footsteps of the great creature heading towards him. He felt the need to back away, but he shouldn't. The creature stopped; Keith could only see its eyes.
"Show yourself" He shouted.
"…Keith?"
He was startled, because the one who answered him was a human.
"…Lance? Lance! Are you okay?" Keith was about to enter the darkness, but he didn't.
"Keith... You came…"
He hesitated before answering. "Yes... I did." Keith looked around. He knew that the Beast was close. "Are you okay?"
"…Wonderfull." The eyes disappeared.
"Lance!" Keith entered and was plunged into darkness. He looked in all directions, but there was no trace of light. And then he heard the Dark Beast. His deep, throaty voice was recognizable.
"But what do we have here? A guest?"
Keith couldn't see anything, he just spun around holding his sword tightly. "You should've guessed I'd come for you."
"Oh, boy. I knew it." Keith sensed movement behind him. "Actually, I was waiting for you."
"Oh, yeah?" Of course he was expecting him. Keith must be prepared, surely the Beast would be trying to play with his mind.
"Of course, although I must ask, why?"
"... I have come to rescue Lance, and to kill you."
"Oh, really!" He said almost amused. "Well, what can you expect from your kind."
"If you hate humans so much, why-"
"Oh no! I wasn't talking about humans... I mean of your kind. The Galra."
A light appeared in front of Keith, once again images of different ecosystems and their living beings appeared in front of Keith. He was able to see known and unknown planets, all looking beautiful and prosperous at first, and suddenly being overrun by the Galran Empire.
Keith felt angry, but he also kept his composure. "You don't show me anything new. I myself have fought against the Galra."
"I know, Paladin... And you've made and excellent act, pretending to be a hero, flying here and there. But we both know that's not true."
"Listen, I have no intention of talking with you," Keith said, "I didn't come here to talk. I came here to stop you, and to save my friend, at any cost."
"How noble of you! What do you want to prove with this action in good faith? You can't change who you are." The image in front of Keith became a mirror. His reflection slowly changed. His armor darkened, his skin turned purple, and his eyes turned yellow. Keith knew it was an illusion, he knew it wasn't true ... but he went to the mirror and only looked like a Galra.
"No..." he said in dismay. He took off his helmet and saw himself as a Galra. "No! Stop!"
"You are a Galra, Keith. You always have been, and you always will be."
"No!"
"Yes, and you know it. You are not here for love or compassion, nor for moral values ... you want revenge. You want to claim your superiority. You want admiration."
"Stop it!" Keith covered his eyes and turned around, then the Dark Beast shoved him and he fell to the ground. "What do you want from me with this?" He asked, trying to get up.
And suddenly a figure landed in front of him. Keith looked up and ran into Lance, except it wasn't him. His purple eyes shining. And then he reached down and held out his hand. Keith was confused.
"I want you to join me..." he said.
Keith felt the need to take up his sword, but waited.
"Keith... I know you think I do terrible things... maybe so, but all I want is to save my species, and I can do it with you, and with Lance. Together, nothing and no one will ever stop us. Keith, I want you as a bearer. If you accept, I can change you. I can make you a complete human being, or a Galra, whatever your will... accept, and Lance will be safe and sound, I promise."
The floor trembled and the walls cracked. Keith knew it was another shock wave. "You can make all this stop," he said, "just say yes…"
Keith looked down at the ground and closed his eyes. He had to think of something quick. He needed to know what to do. He was certain that if he accepted, not only he and Lance, but all his friends and everyone else in the Universe would be in danger. Keith looked up and found that the mirror was still there. In it, he didn't see Lance's reflection, but a human figure created from dark haze with a purple glow. Keith realized that this was all a sham. The Beast was lying. So, Keith took his sword and tried to cut the figure in front of him. Lance's figure only gave a strange screech and disappeared. Keith stood up holding his sword firmly.
"I told you..." Keith ran to the mirror and destroyed it with a stab. As he did so, the darkness of the cave gave way, Keith discovered that in every corner there were lots of Dark Crystals, and right in the center of the place was Lance, looking at him with bright purple eyes "I came to stop you... Whatever it takes."
Lance smiled at him. "So be it." He lifted his arm and thrust it into the ground. After a flash, Lance was holding a purple sword made of the rock.
Keith gripped his sword and reached into his side for the Quintessence weapon. However, nothing appeared. "Damn", he thought. He stopped thinking about it. It was a one on one duel. It was the last. He gripped his sword tight, Lance just smiled, and swung the sword.
And Keith launched himself first. He screamed and ran towards him. Lance reacted quickly, dodged it, and brandished his sword. Keith turned, and their weapons collided.
The Final Duel had begun ...
…
…
