"We are gems who don't want kill worlds like the Homeworld gems or the Galra; so, we rebelled and kicked the Authority right in the quiznack"
"I can't believe there are other humans living in the galaxy" Stevonnie spoke enthusiastically in the blue lion's cabin with Amethyst behind her.
"Yeah… I wasn't expecting that either. How about that?" Amethyst asked the human fusion.
"Well: there is a coalition of human species called the empire of mankind or the Empire of man" Connie's side explained the little gem "According to Coran: Humans travel in the space for almost 50.000 years and they have more than a million worlds under their control".
"Really?" the purple gem asked, unable to believe what Stevonnie told her "That's insane"
"I can't believe it either". Steven's side spoke as he gazed at the haze of stars around him. "I can't wait to meet this empire and ask how they became a great universal power".
"When we come back with the Yellow Lion and kick the Galra's ass we will ask Coran to five us more information about it" Amethyst assured the fusion who nodded in agreement. They would get to that later.
A deep silence manifested itself until Amethyst wanted to change the subject.
"So, Stevonnie." Amethyst started with a smile on her face"Am I the only one who noticed that Pearl said "language" back at the castle?"
"Oh, I was able to overhear it; despite Garnet and Pearl covering Steven's and Connie's ears," Stevonnie responded as they maintained their focus on what was in front of them. "Now, according to Blue here, we should be arriving near the Balmera soon."
"I'm curious on what we'll find on a living planet," Amethyst said. "I should've brought a camera; that way I could show the folks back home."
"Oh, geez." Stevonnie began with a look of immediate realization. "Steven's dad and Connie's parents are going to kill me when I get home."
"Why? Well true, they are probably worried sick, but I thought the Maheswarans were cool with Steven dragging Connie on these crazy adventures?" Amethyst asked.
"Well, I don't think finding an enormous blue lion, flying her into outer space and participating in another rebellion against another totalitarian regime was part of that deal." Stevonnie summed up. The control board of the Blue Lion begins beeping as the human Fusion turns their head to see what's going on.
"What's that?" Amethyst asked.
"If I'm reading this correctly, I think Blue is telling us we are about to run into a Galra fleet." Stevonnie suspected. "And she is currently trying to pinpoint the best path for us to take."
"And I think she better hurry up." Amethyst grimly stated as she pointed at the front view window, with Stevonnie following the purple Gems finger; identifying a small flotilla of large Galran vessels blockading the dwarf planet. "Stevonnie, I'm going to be real with you for a second; are you going to be okay if we get into a dogfight? Well, technically a cat fight. Anyway, you're not going to fall apart on me, right?"
"Well, if we're careful; then maybe we don't have to get into a fight." Stevonnie optimistically said as they tried following the Blue Lion's recommended route of travel. "Everything seems to be going smoothly so…" Before the human Fusion could finish their sentence, a Galran Djalg fighter streaked right past the Blue Lion, like a blur.
"What the fizzityuck was that?" Amethyst blatantly asked as she clenched onto the back end of the pilot seat.
"I think that was a scout." Stevonnie presumed. "But I don't think it spotted us."
Stevonnie turned to the Blue Lion's bleeping detector; recognizing several red dots veering near the center; also known as them. "You had to jinx it, didn't you?" Amethyst groused.
"Get us out of here, girl!" Stevonnie shouted as they maxed out the Lion thrusters; attempting to put as much distance between them and their interceptors aiming to shoot them down. The Blue Lion swerved from the left to the right, up and down, and executing barrel rolls to avoid the incoming laser fire. During the evasions, the right foreleg of the mechanical beast gets struck; with Stevonnie experiencing the mechanical Lions pain as well. "Ah!"
"Stevonnie!" Amethyst screamed with concern.
"I'm all right Amethyst." The pilot reassured their fellow Crystal Gem.
"Okay, could you fire a weapon at them or something to get them off our tail? Pun not intended." The purple Gem asked with alarm in her tone.
"Uh… I could try freezing them like I did when we left Earth." Stevonnie recommended as they delivered a sharp right turn; circling right behind the enemy fighters. The human Fusion pulls the trigger for the Blue Lion's ice beam, successfully ships half of the Galran interceptors in front of them. Stevonnie pulled up to make sure they didn't collide with, and unintentionally destroy the crystalline covered crafts.
The remaining half of the fighters splintered off and looped back around to where they are on the offense once more. "We need to lose those fighters!" Amethyst loudly declared as Stevonnie continued evading the laser fire; altering the course and heading straight for the Balmera. Stevonnie maxed out the thrusters once more as they successfully entered the planet's atmosphere.
The enemy fighters continued their pursuit as they neared the planet's surface. "What do we do? What do we do?" An anxiety-filled Stevonnie questioned out loud.
Stevonnie.
"The Lion is telling me something," Stevonnie said to themselves, before shutting their eyes to hear the instructions. "I know what to do." Stevonnie reached for the control panel, pushing the buttons, flipping the switches, and turning the knobs Blue directed her pilot to do; before pulling the trigger once more. However, instead of a ray of crystalizing frost shooting out of the lion's maw; it was a full surge of azure energy that turned the air in front into thick, near-blinding snow.
The Blue Lion flew through the ice cloud with the Galra following from behind. However, only the Galra fighters emerged from the haze, whereas the Blue Lion seemingly disappeared without a trace.
Unbeknownst to the opposition; the Blue Lion divebombed all the way down into an enormous hole on the surface below and is continuing to do so as the ground quickly draws nearer. Stevonnie halts the lion in the nick of time before crashing; delicately landing it on the subterranean surface. "You okay?" Amethyst asked her Demi-Gem friend.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Stevonnie assured.
"Now, where are we going to hide a giant, blue lion that sticks out like a sore thumb?" Amethyst questioned.
"Okay, Blue." Stevonnie began as she petted the command console. "Let us out and find a place to hide; we'll continue on foot." The Blue Lion did as she was told and ejected the Crystal Gems from its cockpit; through its mouth and onto the ground. Before wandering away to carry out the rest of the instructions. "Good girl!"
"Um, Stevonnie." Amethyst began, pushing at the human Fusion's legs, prompting her to turn around; where they caught sight of six, gleaming yellow eyes in a nearby cave, watching them.
Amethyst's gemstone started glowing a luminous purple as she slowly materializes the handle of her whip. Stevonnie's rose quartz gemstone radiated too as a shimmering, pink shield began taking shape around the human Fusion's left arm; while their right reached for Connie's cutlass.
"Wait." An innocent, feminine sounding voice echoed through the cave as a pair of the golden eyes moved closer and stepped out of the shadows. She was a hefty looking woman with reptilian-like features and gray-toned scale-like skin which was covered in bumps on her arms and legs. A dark brown, armor-like shell capped her scalp; with small, unsharpened horns protruding from it. Her feet resembled those of a human, but only had two extended toes, and four-fingered hands; along with a short, yet noticeable lizard tail. She was garbed in a torn, pale-green gown with reddish highlights that went down to her shins. "We mean you no harm."
"Oh." The two Crystal Gems said at the same time, as they put away their weapons.
"We thought you were Galra." Amethyst embarrassingly disclosed. "You know, glowing yellow eyes."
"Shay, get back into the cave." A protective sounding, masculine voice ordered as its owner stepped forward. The taller man looked like Shay to an extent, except his scales and shell were bluer in color. His attire composed of a torn blue-gray, open chest jerkin and long copper-colored pants. "We can't take any risks with these people."
"Well, we just can't leave them here, brother." Shay objected.
"I agree with Shay." A third, softer sounding voice said as another strapping man walked out. His scales and shell were a similar color to Shay's, yet more yellowish. He was as large as Shay's brother and wore clothing like him, but his shirt was orange in color.
"Of course, you'd agree with her; you're her mate after all." The brother replied.
"That has nothing to do with it Rax," Shay acknowledged to her older sibling.
"Look, we don't want to cause any trouble." Stevonnie considerately started. "So, we'll just be on our way."
"If you're not Balmerans, you'll get lost in these caves; come with us," Shay explained to and assured the Crystal Gems.
"Shay…" Rax began to object but stopped upon recognizing that nothing he says is going to change her mind. "Fine. But move quickly, before the Galra detect us."
Steven and Amethyst give each other a confirming look as they followed the three Balmerans into to the mouth of the cave.
"Who are you people?" Stevonnie asked the three the aliens as they walked through the deep cavern; with the only source of light being a freshly lit torch held by three of them.
"We are the native people of this Balmera," Shay explained. "You might have overheard our names, but I still believe proper introductions are in order. I am Shay." The Balmeran introduced before looking at her brother. "This is my brother, Rax."
Rax said nothing as he proceeded with walking ahead. "And this sweetheart here is my mate, Hunk." Shay further introduced, looking at the third native.
"Nice to meet you." Hunk said gallantly.
"Well, I'm Stevonnie and this my friend, Amethyst." The human Fusion introduced.
"Sup." Amethyst greeted with a peace sign and a nod.
"What brings the two of you all the way to our world?" Shay asked them with curiosity.
"We are looking for something," Stevonnie explained. "Something important. I think the Galra might be here to retrieve it as well."
"Wrong," Rax spoke up in an indignant tone. "They aren't here for whatever you're searching for. There here for the crystals."
"Crystals?" Stevonnie and Amethyst asked simultaneously
"The Balmera produces crystals from its body; each of them containing a powerful amount of Quintessence," Shay explained.
"What's Quintessence?" Stevonnie asked.
"You're serious?" Hunk chuckled a little bit, before looking at them with a plain straight face. "Quintessence is pretty much the life force of the universe. Every being in existence possesses it within them."
"I didn't know that." Amethyst bluntly replied.
Stevonnie was about to make a connection between Quintessence and the magic from one of Steven's Lonely Blade films, or one of Connie's fantasy fictions. However, stopped upon realizing they would presumably have no idea what the human Fusion is even lecturing them about. Instead, she asked: "So, if the Galra are taking these crystals full of Quintessence from the Balmera; what happens to the Balmera?"
"It slowly dies." Rax bitterly answered, before glaring at Stevonnie and Amethyst with venom in his eyes. "But I guess Gems like you would know that."
Both Crystal Gems were taken aback by what Rax said. "Don't look surprised. We all saw how you started to summon your weapons." Rax pointed out, before turning to his sister. "In fact, why are we even helping murderers like them; how many other Balmeras have been left as lifeless shells because of their kind?"
"They aren't like their kind." Shay defended. "I don't know how to describe it; while they are Gems, they're something more at the same time. Something… better, even. I can feel it."
"Well, I'm technically one-fourth Gem," Stevonnie admitted. "And you're right. Amethyst and I are Crystal Gems."
"Doesn't that name kind of sound redundant to anyone else?" Hunk asked, receiving no response. "Okay, it's just me then."
"Anyway." Amethyst began anew. "We are Gems who don't want to kill worlds like the Homeworld Gems or the Galra; so, we rebelled and kicked the Diamond Authority right in the quiznack!"
"I don't think you're using that word right." Stevonnie pointed out.
"No, she is not," Hunk confirmed.
"And now, we are aiding in the fight against the Galra," Amethyst stated. "Which is what brought us to this place."
"Are you looking for soldiers, because I would lay down my life if it meant stopping the Galra," Shay said with ambition in her tone.
"And I'd join her to make sure she'd come back in one piece," Hunk added as he playfully enveloped his arms around his girlfriend's waist.
"Do you two think this is a game?" Rax asked them. "The Galra kill people for even thinking about that, and what would we do against a 10,000-year-old empire anyway? If the Galra don't kill us. The Gems or the Tyranids will".
"Well, something on this planet can help against the Galra," Stevonnie declared. "A yellow lion."
"A yellow… lion?" Hunk and Shay confusingly repeated.
"It's a part of this big robot called Voltron," Amethyst added, extending her arms out and shapeshift the length to emphasize the size; before shadow boxing the air. "Something that'll show Galra that they are not as tough as they think."
"And we could probably use your help in finding it," Stevonnie said. "After all, you did say; if we're not Balmerans, we'll get lost in these caves."
"If it means getting the Galra to leave our home alone, count me in." Hunk said with enthusiasm.
"Me too." Shay volunteered.
"No!" Rax snapped at his sibling. "I forbid it!"
"Rax…" Shay began.
"No, I'm not having you risk your life for this "yellow lion" thing. Or whatever this Voltron is." Shay's older brother asserted. "How do we know the Galra haven't found it already, and don't need to draw any more attention onto our people."
"Yeesh, do you always have a stick up your butt when it comes to people trying to help you?" Amethyst asked.
"Why would I have a…" A confused Rax began to say.
"It's a metaphor dude, and more importantly; aren't you tired of being forced to live in fear all the time?" The purple Gem asked.
"If it means keeping my family safe. Then no, I'm not tired." Rax responded.
"Well, we don't want to live like that any longer, brother," Shay spoke up. "We've lived underground for too long; we've never even seen the surface or the sky. When Hunk and I decide to have a child, we want him or her to be raised without living in fear. I'm helping them find what they are looking for, and I won't let you stop me."
Rax remained silent, shocked by his sister's brief speech. He took a short moment to regain his composure before looking his sibling in her eyes. "Fine, I won't stop you. However, I won't partake in this ludicrous idea. I'll let the others know you, and Hunk will not be returning to the camp." The older Balmeran finally said as he walked ahead of the group; until he was no longer visible.
"That was a great speech dear," Hunk told his girlfriend, before kissing her cheek; making her bashfully giggle.
"So, where should we start looking?" Stevonnie asked.
"I don't know if this is where your "yellow lion" is, but a few deca-phoebs ago while exploring a cave formation; I discovered a strange barrier located at the end. It gave off an immense amount of Quintessence." Shay stated. "No one was able to enter it for the longest time. I know where it is, and I can guide you."
"Thank you." Stevonnie said with a smile and bow. The human Fusion knew they and Amethyst were on the right track; especially since this barrier sounds strikingly like the one on Earth. "oh and shay…".
"yes?".
"…What are the Tyranids?".
The four of the followed the path that Shay was showing them while Hunk explained to Stevonnie the terrifying Tyranid race.
The human fusion was perplexed, horrified and shocked at the Balmerian's explanation of them. As he put it: Tyranids were a dangerous race which viewed other species as nothing more than food. They travel the universe devouring entire civilizations until they turn their worlds into sterile shells of life ready to be consumed by the Weblums. Thousands of worlds, billions of live were wiped out by the Tyranids for millennia until their numbers were drastically reduced by the extermination campaigns led by the Space Marines of the human empire. But even that doesn't take away from the fact that they are a big threat to the universe.
Both Steven and Connie couldn't believe it. That only a single species was responsible for so much death and destructon was certainly shocking.
They hoped they would never have to meet them.
"It's not far now," Shay stated as she leads the group further into the naturally formed hollow. "I can feel the Quintessence."
Amethyst.
"Did anyone else hear that?" The purple Gem asked.
"Hear what?" Hunk questioned.
"I just heard something call my name," Amethyst stated.
"Does it sound warm and robust?" Stevonnie questioned the fellow Crystal Gem.
"Yeah," Amethyst responded.
"Then it's the Lion calling to you," Stevonnie stated. "Shay, how much farther."
"Not too long, we should be there in a dobosh or two," Shay guaranteed as they continued under their own steam.
Just like Shay predicted, they four of them approached the end of the cave; leading to a spacious area where several mineshafts surrounded the area, and the sole source of light was the hole above their heads.
Amethyst.
"The voice is coming from there," Amethyst said, pointing to the mineshaft ahead of them.
"Right, now when you get in there, walk up to the Yellow Lion and touch the barrier surrounding her. She will let you in." Stevonnie instructed.
"Let's do this!" Amethyst shouted as she began walking to the opening.
"Halt!" An aggressively militant voice shouted, garnering the attention of the group. Behind them was Rax, with a dozen Galra soldiers pointing their rifles at the Crystal Gems and Balmerans.
"Rax, what are you doing?" Shay asked her brother, with the sound of betrayal in her tone.
"I'm sorry Shay. I'm not going to lose you to misguided beliefs of these Crystal Gems," Rax stated, the sadness on his face was heartbreakingly visible; he did not want to hurt his sister like this but felt he was doing the right thing.
"Hand over the Gems, and we'll forget your involvement in aiding them." One of the Galra soldiers ordered Hunk and Shay.
"Amethyst, get to the mine!" Stevonnie shouted at their friend, who does as she is told.
"Open fire on all of them!" A soldier ordered as two of them aimed for Hunk and Shay.
"No!" Rax screamed as he tackled tried to seize the weapons from the Galra. "This wasn't part of the deal!" Rax continued to struggle with his opponent, only to be shot in the leg and knocked unconscious by a smash to face from a Galran blaster.
"Rax!" Shay cried as she tried to run to her brother; only to be stopped by Hunk.
Without hesitation, Stevonnie got in front of Hunk and Shay; activating and expanding their shield to defend them from laser fire. As Stevonnie continued taking the blasts with iron-clad resilience, a mighty roar was heard in the distance as the ground began to shake.
"Is that an earthquake?" Hunk asked out loud.
Stevonnie.
"No, it's not," Stevonnie said with a smile as the Blue Lion runs through and emerges from one of the tunnels; flinging the Galra back, before scooping up her pilot into her mouth.
"You two get Rax and find somewhere safe to hide!" Stevonnie ordered Hunk and Shay through the Blue Lion's speakers. "I'll distract them! The Galra will want the Lion more than you guys!" With that said, the Blue Lion unleashed one more roar before taking to the sky.
"All of you get to your fighters; we're retrieving that lion!" One of the Galra soldiers ordered as they ignored and left the Balmerans to reach their ships.
Stevonnie soared through the air as they tried to maintain the Galras' attention on them, while the Balmerans got to safety and Amethyst retrieved the Yellow Lion.
The Blue Lion's radar bleeped frantically, just as Stevonnie hoped for. "Looks like I got their attention. Let's do this girl!" The human Fusion said lastly as they maxed out the Blue Lions thrusters; placing as much distance as possible between it and the Djalg interceptors.
The enemy ships opened fire on the Blue Lion, with Stevonnie avoiding it as best as she could. She steered the mechanical lion higher into the air to prevent any laser fire from the surface; the Balmera was still a living being after all.
"Come on Amethyst," Stevonnie said to themselves as the aerial battle continued to drag out; the Gem hybrid could only dodge for so long before having to resort to using weapons. If she froze the enemy ships while in the Balmera's atmosphere; they would crash onto the surface. Killing the pilots and hurting the planet.
"Steven, we can't just dodge forever." Connie's side of Stevonnie stated.
"I know, but they are still people." Steven's side of Stevonnie argued.
"I know it's hard knowing you have to take a life." Connie sympathized. "But you won't be alone in it; I'm you're Jam Bud, remember. I'll be there for you physically and emotionally."
"Excuse me; I can hear your teenaged angst over the comms!" Amethysts voice said over the Blue Lions communication interface.
"Amethyst!" Stevonnie shouted with glee. The massive Yellow Lion emerges from the hole in the surface and charges one of the Galra fighters head on; ramming into it with enough force to knock it off course.
"I knew you could do it!" Stevonnie proudly said to the purple Gem. "Are Shay and Hunk with you?"
"I'm sorry, but when I emerged with Yellow here, they were being taken away by the Galra." Amethyst gloomily informed.
"What! We have to get them!" Steven's side of Stevonnie shouted as he tried to make the Fusion pilot the lion to the Balmerans.
"Stevonnie, we have the Yellow Lion, we need to go now!" Amethyst stated.
"But we can't just leave them here!" Steven protested.
"I know, but none of this will matter if we don't return to Arus and form Voltron!" Connie's side of Stevonnie stated. The Blue Lion's and Yellow Lion's radars started to bleep frantically.
"We've got the bad guys circling this way!" Amethyst notified.
"Steven, we will come back for them," Connie assuringly convinced her best friend. "I promise."
Steven didn't like the thought of having to leave the people who were willing to assist them to their fate at the Galra's hands, but he also knows Connie is right. If they don't form Voltron; then this entire mission, the Balmerans willingness to sacrifice their safety would've been for nothing. "I understand," Stevonnie said as a single teardrop rolled down their left cheek. "Let's go Amethyst.
The Blue and Yellow Lions max out their thrusters as they exit the planet's atmosphere; heading straight for the still opened teladuv portal. Stevonnie gave the Balmera one last look before the two Lions of Voltron flew through the mystical gateway; which closes behind them seconds afterward.