"Princess Allura, I take it you already know who I am and know what I want," Sendak said. "The firepower of this proud vessel exceeds any defenses you may have within your pathetic castle; surrender yourself, the other Alteans that may be with you, and the Lions of Voltron or this planet and all who inhabit it will suffer because of you. You'll have sixty ticks to give me your answer, or I'll reduce this green world into a fiery hellscape where life shall never grow again. These terms are non-negotiable."
Sendak
"All right people, I have excellent news from the others!" Garnet excitedly announces to Pearl, Shiro, and the Alteans. "The Green and Yellow Lions have been found, and they are on their way back to Arus to fight the Galra as we speak."
"How do you know that?" Prince Lance asked the Fusion.
"Oh, we forgot to mention that Garnet has Future Vision," Pearl explained.
"Wait, you have Future Vision?" Lance said with excitement. "As in you can see what is going to happen next?"
"I believe the name is self-explanatory, cousin," Allura said.
"So, do you know what's going to happen next?" Both Garnet and Lance spoke at the same time, much to the latter's surprise.
"Yes," Garnet answered.
"Okay, that is cool, yet freaky," Lance admitted.
"Excuse me, Prince Lance." Coran's voice was heard over the castle's announcer. "I could use you down in the artillery room; I found an old Momentum Pulse Cannon that could probably blow the Galra Dreadnaught across three solar systems! If we can get it working, that is."
"I'm on my way, Coran!" Lance shouted into a small communication device in his hand. "I'll be right back, cousin," Lance said to Allura, giving her a nod before running off to help his families advisor.
"I hope you don't find me rude for asking this…" Allura began, carefully choosing which words to say to the Gems. "But my nanny described Gems as almost monstrous creatures, yet you act like normal people…"
"You're wondering which is true." Pearl guessed.
"You don't have to answer if the subject is touchy," Allura told.
"Gemkind has a checkered past, one that still affects Gems to this very day," Pearl explained. "But Gems like Garnet, Amethyst, Peridot and even Steven chose not to be destroyers and sought to preserve life. All thanks to the guidance of a great Gem, Rose Quartz."
"I take it she is your leader?" Allura guessed.
"Was… our leader." Pearl affirmed.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." The Altean Princess sympathized.
"It's okay," Pearl said. "Rose believed all life was precious no matter what; even if they were human, Gem or alien."
"Would she have extended that kindness to the Galra, as well?" Allura asked, trying to hide the acrimony in her tone.
Pearl didn't know how to answer that question, well she did; she knew Rose would extend that kindness, but the pale Gem was smart enough to realize that is not an answer Allura would like to hear.
"Allura, this is about Keith and the Red Lion, isn't it?" Shiro carefully asked.
Allura remained silent as she looked at him, it was enough for Shiro to know her answer. "Look, I know Galra Empire has done unforgivable things; I can also guess it must not be ideal that one of them is piloting a part of the universes only hope." Shiro continued. "While Keith may not be the friendliest of people; he is still a good kid, and one heck of a pilot…"
"The Red Lion... belonged to my father," Allura said with a crack in her voice, surprising Shiro and the Gems. "He was the Red Paladin of Voltron... and is gone because of the Galra. It doesn't feel right that the new Red Paladin is one of them."
"I'm sorry." Shiro apologized.
"Don't be. You didn't know." The Princess said. "The universe it's a place with no hearth".
"Allura, Keith isn't like other Galra." Shiro began. "When I first saw him and other members of the Blade of Marmora, it's when I was still their prisoner; I had no reason to trust them, but I did. If I hadn't given them a chance; Matthew and I wouldn't have been able to escape Castle Doom, reunite him with his sister, or discover the Blue Lion and you and the others. I know prejudice won't go away overnight; I'm just asking if you can see who he is, and not what he is."
Allura looked at Shiro without saying a word. She knew her father's lion chose Keith for a reason; one that she doesn't know or refuses to comprehend. She wondered if she would treat him the same way even if wasn't Galra.
The entire room began flashing red as the loud siren rang throughout the castle once more. The four alien mice all squeaked with worry as they buried themselves deeper into Lion's pink mane to hide.
"Princess, the Fire of Purification has just entered the planet's atmosphere and is heading towards us right this dobosh!" Coran quickly announced over the communicator. "Fortunately, your cousin and I have gotten at least 98% of the defenses online! Wait, hold on; we are now receiving a message from the Dreadnaught. I'm patching it through now."
The holo-screen materializes before the before Allura, Shiro, Garnet, and Pearl; digitally rendering the familiar face of Commander Sendak.
"Princess Allura, I take it you already know who I am and know what I want," Sendak said. "The firepower of this proud vessel exceeds any defenses you may have within your pathetic castle; surrender yourself, the other Alteans that may be with you, and the Lions of Voltron or this planet and all who inhabit it will suffer because of you. You'll have sixty ticks to give me your answer, or I'll reduce this green world into a fiery hellscape where life shall never grow again. These terms are non-negotiable." The message concluded as the holo-screen fizzled away.
"Sendak isn't someone who makes empty threats," Shiro stated to the Princess. "He will kill everything on this planet."
"Princess! Is there something, anything we can do to help?" Pearl asked with determination in her tone."
Allura takes out her communications and holds the mouthpiece up to her lips. "Coran, activate the particle barrier. I'm also sending Shiro and the Gems down to the Defense Room; get them and Lance onto a cannon. We are making our stand here until the others return!"
"I read you, Princess; activating the particle barrier now!" Coran responded.
Allura turned to Shiro, Pearl, and Garnet; the latter of which was checking her Future Vision to find the location of the Defense Room. "We'll buy all the time we can, let's go!" Garnet orders as the three of them scramble out of the control room.
Sendak stood on the command bridge of his flagship; watching as a cyan forcefield completely enveloped the castle.
"So, the Princess has made her choice. Very well, she'll watch Arus burn just like Altea." Sendak menacingly said. "Deploy all fighters! I want everything on that surface to be dead by nightfall. Convert all power from secondary weapons to the main Devastation Cannon and aim it at that particle barrier; we are not leaving until we've retrieved what we've come here for. Or die trying! Victory or Death!"
"Vrepit Sa!" All the Galra officers shouted with pride and a salute, before carrying out their assigned tasks.
"Princess, enemy fighters are heading our way!" Coran shouted from the Defense Room as the castle's scanners detected several squadrons of Djalg and Erto class fighter jets emerging from the Fire of Purification.
"This is Shiro," Takashi informed over the communicator. "Garnet, Lance, Pearl and I are ready to fire on your command, Princess."
"Take them out!" Allura fiercely ordered.
The ground shook as the cannons fired into the air, taking out a small group of fighters with every boom.
A squadron of Erto's diverged from the rest of the other fighters and began blasting at the surrounding vegetation around the castle, setting fire to it; with the blaze spreading at a rapid pace.
"Coran, activate the cooling systems; if those flames overheat the castle, we'll all be cooked alive!" Allura ordered. "The rest of you, keep taking out those fighters!" The ground shook again as the cannons fired into the air once more.
"Commander Sendak, all secondary power has been diverted to the Devastation Cannon and is ready to fire at the castle on your command!" A Galra soldier announced to his superior.
"Unleash upon them the wrath of the Galra Empire!" Sendak ordered.
The Dreadnaught started to quake as deep red energy began forming in front of the bridge; before blasting forward as a glistening ray of death and destruction. The broad beam of energy struck the particle barrier of the castle; creating massive tremors around the structure. The bodies of water rose and fell, and trees collapsed as the ground violently shook from the impact.
"Direct hit sir, but the barrier remains intact." Another Galran soldier informed.
"Recharge the weapon for another attack and triple its damage output," Sendak ordered.
"But sir, that will take more than three varga." The Galran soldier stated.
"It doesn't matter, they aren't going anywhere." Sendak said with a self-assured tone. "And none will come to their aid in time."
"Is everyone all right?" Allura loudly asked over the castle's comms, as she gets off the ground.
"We're fine, cousin!" Lance informed, much to her relief.
"But whatever that was, it reduced the power of the barrier by half; we won't be able to take another hit like that." Coran further informed.
"There is no end to these blasted fighters!" Pearl shouted as she continued firing her cannons along with the other gunners. "We can't keep this up forever.
"And we don't have to." Garnet confidently informed.
"What are you…" Allura began asking the Crystal Gem, only to stop as she spots the Red Lion incinerating two Erto's on the castle's scanners.
"Sorry, for the delay; but we're here now." Matthew's voice informed from the Red Lion, as the Green, Yellow and Blue Lion's flew alongside it.
"We had faith you'd make it in time." Shiro gratefully responded. "Allura, can you deactivate the barrier for them."
"Not yet," Allura stated to Shiro and the pilots of the four lions. "We can't deactivate the particle barrier with all the fire we're taking right now."
"Say no more, we've got you covered." Keith's voice said.
"Oh… uh… many thanks." Allura said to Keith, feeling weird about having to express gratitude towards him. But she quickly disregarded that feeling as she reached for her comms. "Shiro! Garnet! Return to the control room immediately, it's time to see who is worthy of the Black Lion."
"All right follow my lead; we need to give the castle time to deactivate its barrier," Keith ordered the other three lions. The Red Lion let out a mighty roar as it charged forward, unleashing blasts of crimson fire at the enemy interceptors. "Stevonnie, we need you to put out those fires below!"
"I'm on it." The human Fusion said as they piloted the Blue Lion near the burning forest; carefully firing its beam of ice at the trees to disperse its flames but preventing the vegetation from coming to any harm. The Blue Lion soared above the now snow-covered trees before looping back around to take care of the rest of the fire.
The Blue Lion's detector frantically bleeped as more than a dozen Djalg's began heading towards them.
"Guys, I've got some baddies heading my way," Stevonnie stated as they did their best to avoid the oncoming laser blasts from the enemy ships.
"We've got you two covered," Katie informed as the Green Lion began intercepting the interceptors; following their movements like a shadow.
"All right Pidge. You fly, I shoot!" Peridot told as she pulled up the control panel of her co-pilot seat. Pidge flew the lion until she could properly aim her green co-pilots weapons. "Eat laser, clods!" Peridot screamed with energy as she pulled the trigger. Lime colored energy shot from the Green Lions mouth as it struck down several fighters, crashing them into the ground below.
"Thanks for the assistance." Stevonnie praised before putting out the remaining fires.
"No thanks needed," Pidge said as she flew alongside the human Fusion's lion.
"But one would be appreciated." Peridot joked; which was followed by barking.
"Is that a dog?" Stevonnie asked as they raised an eyebrow.
"We'll discuss that later," Pidge assured.
"Yahoo!" Amethyst pleasingly cried as she rammed the Yellow Lion through four Erto's. "This is awesome!" Amethyst further said the purple Gem was having the time of her life as she continued ramming through Galra fighters like they were nothing but a minor inconvenience. During her excitement high, Amethyst was caught off guard by three ships that managed to land hits on her. "Ah!" The Crystal Gem cried as she felt her lions' pain.
"Amethyst!" Stevonnie shouted as they charged towards her with the Blue Lion's thrusters maxed out.
"Ah!" Amethyst cried once more as the laser fire began to overpower her.
"No!" Stevonnie cried with raw emotion as they pulled the trigger on their lion's weapons; the blue beam crystalized the enemy ships before they freefell to the ground below, where they crashed and burned.
"Oh no…" Steven's side of Stevonnie said with horror in his tone over what he had done.
"Steven, you had to." Connie's side of Stevonnie said, trying her best to console her friend. "You had to."
"Stevonnie, it's going to be okay." Keith tried to console over the communicators. "It's going to be okay; you're not alone in this."
"Okay," Stevonnie said as they finally regained their composure.
The particle barrier surrounding the castle flickers before deactivating; leaving the structure exposed. "It's safe to return to the castle." Allura's voice stated. "Hurry before the Galra mount another attack!"
The four lions circled around and charged right towards the castle as fast as they could.
"The other Lions are docked, and access to the Black Lion has been granted," Allura told Shiro and Garnet. "Follow me." Allura ran ahead of the human and Gem and stepped onto the ovular pad in the control room. The sloped surface begins glowing brightly as Shiro and Garnet stepped on as well; before it descends to the once locked off lower area of the castle, like an elevator.
As soon as the quickly descending lift came to a stop; the three of them stood before a closed, ancient door with glowing purple markings.
Shirogane.
Garnet.
"The lion is calling to the both of us," Garnet said as she and Shiro both stepped towards the door and placed their hand on it. The bright markings flashed brightly before a long beam of energy leaked from an angular gap within it; as the doors slowly opened.
Shiro and Garnet were left awestruck at the sight of the Black Lion. This massive vehicle was far more significant in size than the Red, Blue or any of the other lions.
Shirogane.
"Did you hear that, Garnet?" Takashi asked his Gem companion.
"No, but it's like I expected." Garnet began. "You're worthier of a pilot than I."
"But I thought we were equally chosen?" Shiro asked.
"The Black Lion is different from the other Lions," Allura stated. "Even if she decides that more than one person be worthy of piloting her; she'll usually decide who is worthier in the end."
"You'll be a great leader Shirogane. No one needs Future Vision to see that." Garnet stated, placing her hand on his shoulder.
Shiro smiled and nodded at the Fusion, before walking up to the purple barrier surrounding the Lion; closing his eyes and placing his hand on it.
Shirogane. Worthy.
The dome shield around the Black Lion disperses as the mechanical beast lets out a proud roar upon finding its worthy pilot.
"Come now, let's meet up with the others; I have something for all of you that you could all use." Allura stated as she leads them back to lift.
"My babies!" Pearl cried as she and Garnet ran over to give Stevonnie a big hug, as soon as they exited the Blue Lion. "Are you both okay? You're not hurt, are you? Please tell me you're not hurt!"
"I'm fine, Pearl," Stevonnie told the Crystal Gem with a slightly down tone.
"Is everything all right?" Garnet asked with concern.
"Steven and Connie would like to speak with you two later." The human Fusion told. "But we have more pressing concerns now."
Pumpkin barked as she exited from the Green Lion with Pidge and Peridot.
"Okay, calm down girl," Peridot said to Pumpkin as the veggitoid ran around the room excitedly; until she ran into Lion and the Space Mice, who she kindly greeted.
"Sup nerds; you did some nice shooting and flying out there." Amethyst complimented both Katie and the Gem as she exited from the Yellow Lion.
"I technically did all the flying while Peridot did the shooting," Pidge explained with a little blush. "But thanks for the compliment."
"I took notice that you were, how the humans say it… "Having the time of your life" with the Yellow Lion," Peridot stated to the purple Gem.
"You know it, homegirl," Amethyst said as she playfully punched the green Gems arm.
"I'm glad you both made it back," Shiro stated as he walks over to Keith and Matthew, who both just emerged from the Red Lion.
"Was there any doubt." Matt assuredly said as he and Keith shake Takashi's hand, as the Red Lion's pilot nods.
"I hate interrupting, but time is of the essence," Allura told the group, garnering their attention towards her, Lance and Coran. Behind them were five human-sized pods levitating off the ground.
"What's our plan, Princess?" Keith asked the Altean sovereign.
"Before we discuss that, Coran found something of use for all of you after you left," Allura stated, before turning to her advisor. "Would you do the honors."
"Of course, Princess," Coran said as he pressed a button on a handheld device; causing the pods to stop levitating and gently rest on the floor. The individual chambers slowly opened as thick exited from them; revealing five black suits with a set of white armor; each with different colored highlights and helmets. "What you see before you are the armors of the original Paladins of Voltron, the very first people to pilot the lions."
"Awesome!" Amethyst excitedly stated with stars in her eyes as she eyed the yellow armor; which was unmistakably hers.
"If you are worried about the differences in size, the armor will shapeshift to fit your body type." Coran further explained.
"So, why are you all just standing around? Try them on." Lance told the group.
Stevonnie was the first to step forward and take hold of the blue armor. Much to their surprise; the black, leather-like material of the suit manipulated itself down to the molecular level and instantly attached itself to the human Fusion's body; as if they were slipping on a glove. "Oh, this is neat," Stevonnie said lastly as moved their body around to gain a feel for the gear; before the rest of the armor magnetically attached to the body on their own; it also helped that the material was surprisingly comfortable.
"I'm next," Amethyst said as she rushed to her uniform, which materialized onto her as well. Peridot and Pidge then followed her; the latter whom accepted the armor while the former turned it down. Then followed by Shiro, and lastly Keith.
Stevonnie tried to place their helmet on but found that their long; almost body length hair got in the way. "Um… Pearl would you mind…" Stevonnie began asking their fellow Crystal Gem, who rushed over to the human Fusion without saying a word and quickly braids the hair into a ponytail to make it easier to slip the helmet on. Stevonnie would have to do something about it later.
Pidge also suffered from the same problem with her helmet but resolved it by tying her ponytail into a bun. Amethyst shapeshifted her hair to be shorter; so, she could place it on her head. Keith tucked his cat-like ears forward so that he could put his helmet on; it wasn't the most comfortable, but it would do. The only one who had no hassle with his helmet was Shirogane. "Thank you for these, Princess," Shiro told Allura.
"Don't thank me yet. You'll need these as well." Allura told as she presented the armored pilots with four, alien devices. "These are the Bayards of Voltron; the weapons of the Paladins, capable of strengthening your connections with you lion more so than already. The Bayard will become a weapon suitable for its wielder upon picking it up."
The new Paladins all gratefully took their respected Bayard's. As soon as Stevonnie took hers, the Blue Bayard glowed a bright blue before transforming into an exact duplicate of Rose's sword; with the only noticeable difference being the color. "Woah." The awestruck human Fusion said as they stared at the newly formed blade.
Amethyst took her Yellow Bayard and discovered it to transform into a mini-turret that she could barely lift; resulting in her deactivating the weapon.
"I think I'll stick with my whip for now," Amethyst said with a chuckle as she rubbed the back of her helmet.
Pidge's Bayard revealed itself to be a triangular-shaped blade; which amazed her and Peridot. "Aw, you got a cute little Bayard." Lance teased the green girls, only for Pidge to lightly tap him with her weapon; revealing its electrocution powers as she shocks the Prince.
"Yeah, it is pretty cute." Pidge retorted to Lance, who is still groaning in pain.
Keith was the last one to take his Bayard, which transformed into a double-edged broadsword; one that all the Alteans recognized.
Allura took a moment to regain her composure, before looking at towards Shiro. "I'm sorry I cannot present you with your Bayard, for it was lost with its original owner."
"Don't worry; I can make do without it," Shiro assured her.
Allura nodded at the man before turning her to the rest of the new Paladins. "You've all been chosen by the lions for a purpose; to stop Zarkon and others like him from harming this universe. It is time the Paladins of Voltron take to the skies and stars once more." The siren blared once more.
"Oh quiznack!" Coran shouted as he looked at another small device. "The Galra have deployed a second wave of fighters."
"Then it is time to show them what we are made of." Shiro, the leader of the Paladins says with determination in his tone. "Everyone to your lions!"
"Commander Sendak, the Devastation Cannon is now at sixty percent." A Galra soldier informed.
"Excellent." The military leader said. "Continue with the deployed fighter's objective to burn the rest of the planet." The flagships scanners started to bleep.
"What is that?" Sendak asked, turning to the soldier checking on them.
"Sir, we're detecting four… no five vessels are emerging from the castle." The Galran informed.
A secret hatch below the castle swiftly opened as the Black Lion runs out and takes to the sky with a roar mightier than any of the other lions; as they followed behind their leader.
"All right Chief, what's the plan!" Amethyst asked Shiro through the Yellow Lion's communicators.
"We have all the lions; we just need to figure out how to form Voltron," Shiro responded through the Black Lion's comms. "Amethyst! Stevonnie! You two are to in charge of preventing any fighters from getting to close to the castle; don't be afraid to pull the trigger if you have to."
"I understand." Stevonnie slowly said as she and Amethyst carried out their orders.
"Keith! Pidge and Peridot! You're with me!" Shiro further ordered.
"Got it." "Roger." "Affirmative." Keith, Katie, and Peridot all said in unison; as they did as they were told.
The Black, Red and Green Lions all fired their distinctive colored energy beams at the Djalg's and Erto's; blowing them out of the sky. The Green and Red Lion's split off from Black and were successfully able to perform a pincer attack on several of the interceptors.
Two squadrons of the Galra fighter appear and launch all their primary weapons at the two Lions, forcing them into a corner; but were saved by the Black Lion who slashed through each of the opponents with a glowing, purple blade that materialized in the mechanical beast's jaw.
"How did you do that?" Keith asked with surprise. "Red never told me how to do that."
"No idea, I just followed Black's instructions," Shiro answered.
"Stevonnie, you remember that trick you did back on the Balmera?" Amethyst asked her friend. "Could you do it again?
"Yes, and yes." The human Fusion responded as they soared ahead of the Galra fighters they were chasing and manifested a surge of azure energy; successfully turning the air in front into thick, near-blinding snow to the same effect as before.
With the Galra distracted, Amethyst took the opportunity to ram into the fighters with yellow energy surround her; striking with enough force to cause each ship to crash into each other. "Woo! That's what I'm talking about!"
"Don't get too cocky guys; we still have more to deal with," Shiro informed.
"Sir, all of our fighters are nearly decimated." A Galran soldier stated, to his superior.
"How much longer until the cannon is charged?" Sendak asked.
"Roughly one varga left, sir." Another soldier answered.
"Divert some of that power into our secondary weapons and target those lions!" Sendak ordered.
"Sir, that'll increase the charge time by at least forty more doboshes." The same soldier informs.
"I'm aware. Just do it." Sendak ordered lastly.
"Uh-oh," Peridot said.
"What's, uh-oh?" Stevonnie asked.
"If I'm reading this right." Peridot began, as she looked at the Green Lion's scanners. "Then the scanners say the Dreadnaught is about to…"
"Look out!" Keith shouted as the five Lions dodged the Fire of Purification's laser blasts.
"Everyone, stay sharp!" Shiro ordered as the lions remained on the defensive.
"We have to do something!" Lance shouted in frustration.
"There is nothing much we can do," Coran stated. "All power is being diverted to the particle barrier, so we can survive another blast as we experienced earlier; meaning no weapons for us."
"They are going to find a way; I just know it," Pearl said with assurance, but the look on her face showed her worry toward this entire situation.
"If they only had the time, we could've formed Voltron," Allura stated, before closing her eyes to pray silently. "Please, figure out how to form him."
Shirogane.
Keith.
Pidge. Peridot.
Amethyst.
Stevonnie.
All five lions called the names of their respected and different pilots. "Did anyone else hear those?" Amethyst asked.
"I did," Shiro said.
"Same." Both Pidge and Peridot stated.
"I as well," Keith said.
"Ditto," Stevonnie replied.
"Everyone, close your eyes and listen to them," Shiro advised. The rest of the Paladins did so and listened as their lions conveyed to them specific instructions; after a moment of silence, pilot all open their eyes as bright auras begin surrounding each lion. "Everyone get all that?" Shiro asked.
"Yes, sir." The Paladins all said in unison.
"The let's do it!" Shiro shouted as he maxes out the thrusters on the Black Lion; the Lions of Voltron converge together as the radiant energy grows brighter, charging headfirst at Sendak's flagship with a massive, crashing boom.
As the light faded away, and the dust settled; all that stood within a freshly made crater on the Dreadnaught was him… the one-hundred-meter-tall, multi-colored space knight himself... the Legendary Defender.
"I can't believe we did it!" Keith shouted ecstatically from the right arm of Voltron.
"We formed Voltron!" "This is incredible!" Pidge and Peridot shouted out loud with equal amounts of enthusiasm from the left arm of Voltron.
"Am I a leg?" Amethyst asked with stars in her eyes from the left leg of Voltron.
"How are we doing this?" Stevonnie asked with excitement from the right leg of Voltron.
"I don't know? But that's not important right now. Let's end this fight!" Shiro ordered his fellow Paladins from the head and torso of Voltron.
Voltron launches himself off the crater and flies around the ship at a speed that exceeded the individual lions; as the mighty robot begins charging toward the Dreadnaught's secondary weapons.
The Paladins cried with raw emotion as they placed all the individual power they could into Voltron; as he delivered punch after punch onto the weapons, destroying them with every hit.
"They did it!" Allura cried with joy as she and the others watched what took place above.
"Of course they could do it," Matthew told the Princess with confidence in his little sister and friends.
"That's right, give them hell!" An overly excited Pearl shouted, only to cover her mouth upon realizing what she said; much to everyone's surprise.
"You just cursed." Prince Lance said as he laughed out loud.
"N… no, I didn't." Pearl embarrassedly lied.
"Oh, Amethyst is going to love this." Lance continued to joke.
"Do not tell her!" Pearl gritted her teeth with an angry blush.
"Commander, all secondary weapons are down." A soldier informed. "But the Devastation Cannon is primed and ready to fire on your command."
Sendak turned around to look the soldier in the eye before saying the words, "Do it."
"Guys, I'm picking up a large amount of energy originating from the front of the vessel," Pidge informed.
"It's a Devastation Cannon," Keith stated, picking up the same readings as well. "If it hits the barrier, the castle won't survive."
Pidge. Peridot.
"Hold up; Green is speaking to us," Peridot informed. Both her and Katie followed the lion's instructions and discovered an ability to create a large, tower-like shield. "If what Green is telling us is true, this should be able to block the blast."
"Then let's put it to the test," Shiro stated as the Paladins fly in front of the Dreadnaught at the same time as it fires the cannon. Pidge and Peridot lift the shield up and take the blast at full force. The shield protects Voltron from the deadly energy, but it doesn't prevent the magnificent warrior from being pushed back by its sheer power.
"Hang on!" Both Amethyst and Stevonnie shout as they push the thrusters for the legs of Voltron to their max; successfully stopping the giant laser in its place and charge forward.
Keith.
"What is it?" Keith asks the Red Lion as a compartment opens near the control panel, revealing a slot with a shape like his Red Bayard. "All right, girl. Let's see what this does!" Red energy surrounded Keith's entire body as he thrusts the Bayard into the slot with a determinate and passionate-filled cry. The right arm of Voltron flashes a similar radiance before large saber forms in the robot's hand.
"How did you do that?" Stevonnie asked with surprise.
"Who cares, let's use it!" Amethyst shouted as the Yellow and Blue Paladins further increase Voltron's ramming speed.
Voltron thrusts the sword forward with the shield as he continues to pierce through the energy. The Paladins all release one more energized cry as they staked all or nothing on this attack. The Legendary Defender charged forward at speeds succeeding his original as he pierces right through the front of the ship and out the center. Explosions surrounded the Fire of Purification as it began to crash down to the surface of the planet.
Commander Sendak stood on the bridge, unmoving while the rest of his crew panicked at seeing the ground draw dangerously closer. Unflinching, the Galra warrior said his last words before closing his eyes and accepting what he assumed to be his end with a smirk. "Victory or Death."
"We… we won!" Allura ecstatically shouted with some disbelief as she and the others could see the massive explosion.
"Yes!" Pearl cried with a mixture of relief and joy as she leaped to hug Garnet, who spun the skinny Gem around with equal excitement.
Matthew, Coran, and Lance all jumped up and down; unintentionally causing themselves to fall onto the floor.
"You all did it," Allura said with tears of joy. "Thank you."
Matt quickly got off the ground and spoke quickly spoke into Allura's communicator before she turned it off. "Now come back to the castle, you all need a long and well-deserved rest."
"You're serious!" Amethyst shouted with disbelief as Lance told her about Pearl cursing.
"I swear to the Gods, and Goddesses, I'm telling the truth." The Altean Prince sincerely said.
"Oh, I'm going to have fun with this," Amethyst smirked as she turned to a bashful Pearl. "I mean for gosh sakes Pearl, watch your language; you kiss Steven good night with that mouth after all."
"I can already tell I'm never going to hear the end of this." Pearl groaned while Amethyst and Lance continued laughing.
Pumpkin, the Space Mice, and Lion all played with each other in a nearby corner; barking, squeaking and purr-roaring.
Pidge, Peridot, Matthew, and Coran were all discussing how they could improve the castle's defense to be better prepared for another attack.
Steven and Connie were having a talk with Garnet about the possibility if Sendak or anyone else on Fire of Purification survived the crash.
With the Fusion confidently telling the teenagers, "If they did... we'll find them and make sure they don't hurt anyone else. But that's not all you wish to talk about, is it."
"No…" Steven reluctantly stated. "When we were out there, we had to fight back…"
"We took lives." Connie summed up. "The lives of living creatures."
Garnet sighed before taking off her visor, looking at the teens with her three eyes. "Taking a life is never easy and never will be. If stuff like this continues bothering you, don't be afraid to talk to Pearl or I about it. We'll always listen."
"Thank you, Garnet." Both Connie and Steven said to the Fusion.
"We'll talk later tonight if you wish; but right now, you both deserve some rest." Garnet lastly said as she comfortingly wrapped her arms around the Jam Buds.
While Shiro and Keith were taking the time to relax for what felt like forever to them until Allura decided to walk over to the human and Galra; along with Lance.
"Can I help you two," Keith asked with a hint of disinterest in his tone.
"Keith, I know we gave you difficulty when you first came here." Allura began.
"And I understand why." Keith interrupted. "Discovering that a member of the race who destroyed your people is a part of the Universe only hope; it's easy to see why you would have those feelings."
"But we shouldn't have let it cloud our judgment of you," Allura said anew. "Shiro told me something earlier, and it made me take the time to reevaluate my feelings towards you. Today, you've proven it's not what's in your blood that defines who you are. And we're… I'm sorry for not giving you a chance earlier."
Keith was caught off guard by those kind words; excluding what Matt and Shiro have told him before, those had to be the most thoughtful words anyone ever said to him. "Thank you; it means a lot," Keith said as he offers a handshake, which the Altean's accept.
"No problem," Lance stated. "Although, I still think you're a jerk."
Keith se rió entre dientes antes de mirar al Príncipe. "De vuelta a ti."
With all said and done, the paladins stayed at the castle and began to discuss the next plans of action to be carried out in the future. Lance and Coran happily provided them with all the necessary knowledge of the dangers in the stars who waiting for all.
Allura went to the piloting center and asked his father what events occurred after his 10,000-year dream. Alfor's AI revealed very relevant information from the events before the disappear of Voltron.
The Empire of Mankind continued on its march of interplanetary colonization but a side noto revealed that after the disappearance of Voltron and the great fall of the Chaos. The empire manifested an era of changes that led them to be a little more tolerant towards their neightbors of other species. And they reached what would be a "peace agreement" with the Tau who in turn continue to assimilate other species into their own coalition.
To his relief he learned that the Eldar still exist in the galaxy and that they are striving to live peacefully in space on their craftworlds. His father told him that Zarkon had launched a campaign to annihilate the race due to their slight similarity to the alteans but they were protected by the Astarte Ultramarines chapter whose master, the legendary primarch Roboutte Guilleman had allied himself with an Eldar shrine. They are currently living in imperial space without any problem. But their sadistic cousin: the Dark Eldar are still out there being a dange. (He also explained that there were a few legions inhabiting the space they were in)
Regardion the Orks and Tyranids: they are still a threat that must be addressed. The number of Tyranids was drastically reduced by the extermination and the Weblums but there were still have hive fleets inhabiting the galaxy being a potential danger and the Orks are still just a savage a dangerous whose warlords and Nobles launch crusadas that span entire systems. (Currently a great Waagh was brewing against the Galra Empire that has lasted one hundred deca-phoebs)
And finally there was the Necrons. Alfor revealed to his daughter that two thousand years after Voltron's disappeareance, the Necrons had disappeared and sightings of them were not reported for millennia. This was a real surprise for the Altean princess. He remembered how the Necrons were the same as the Galra today and how the ancient paladins faced their fleets and thwarted the invasion plans of the Tomb Lords and the Lord of the Storms Himself.
When they mysteriously disappeared, Allura didn't like it at all, but they had things to do and they needed the paladins to defeat the Galra.
Feliz con la información que tenía, se despidió de la IA de su padre y se fue a sus habitaciones a descansar y salir al espacio mañana.
Later that night, everyone except Matthew, Shiro and Keith decided to turn in and sleep in their assigned living quarters. To Matt's discovery, Gems don't need to sleep; the only exceptions being Amethyst and Peridot who choose to sleep. Garnet decided to stay with Steven in his room, while Pearl remained with Connie in hers; both Crystal Gems wanting to make sure they don't have any nightmares due to the stress of that has happened today.
Matthew offered to stay with Pidge for the night to make sure she was okay, but she turned down his proposal. Steven, Connie, and Katie were probably the textbook definition of brave. Being thrown into a conflict like this isn't something Matt wanted for his sister; but he should know by now that when Katie sets her mind to something, she'll never back down from it. When the opportunity arises for the Holt siblings to do so, they will use the information given to them by Ryner to find their father.
Matthew discovered some personal information on the data Pidge and Peridot were able to gather on Olkarion; more precisely, information about the Blade of Marmora allies within Castle Doom and a certain blue woman they promised to go back for. "What did you find out, Matthew?" Takashi asked his friend.
"I was able to gather up some useful information on the Galra," Matthew stated as he showed Keith and Shiro the information on a laptop-like device. "One of the Blade of Marmora agents that aided us in our escape from Doom was capture roughly six months ago."
"Who?" Keith quickly asked with concern in his tone, worrying it might be his father.
"Ulaz," Matthew answered. "And from what I can tell, he has been tortured ever since. But have been unable to get anything out of him."
"Well, Ulaz is one of our toughest agents," Keith stated. "He'll die before telling Zarkon or his witch anything."
"While we're on the subject of Haggar." Matthew began as he brought up another file. "She has been doing plenty of in-depth research on Gems and their unique connection to the Quintessence field. The Galra have been capturing more Gems ever since and experimenting on them." Matt added lastly, feeling his stomach turn upon thinking of those experiments.
"Were you able to find anything on Lapis?" Shiro asked.
"Yes. I've found recorded footage of Haggar's… tests on her." Matt said in a disturbed tone, unsettled by the footage he had to study. "But she is alive. As for where she is… that's a different story."
"What do you mean?" Takashi asked again.
"I found this," Matthew said as he brought up a video file. "This is the last recorded footage of Lapis in Castle Doom."
Matthew played the video, showing Lapis Lazuli's arms and legs chain bound onto a wall with strange symbols; the blue woman was unconscious and looked as if she had been through the worst kind of hell imaginable. Suddenly, a ventilation cover fell off the roof of the room as a tall, humanoid woman with a tail entered the screen. She was equipped with Galra armor and a hood that concealed her entire face in shadows; to the point where it appeared as if she had no eyes at all. Perched on the woman's left shoulder was a black, alien cat with blue ears and orange stripes. The female took out a knife and used it to cut Lazuli's binds, catching the blue woman before she hit the floor. The space cat violently hissed as the alien woman turned to the camera and threw a dagger at it; destroying the device.
"Was that a Marmora agent?" Matt asked Keith.
"No, whoever she was, she is no member of the Blades," Keith answered. "And if she is Galra; based on what we saw, she is unaligned with Empire."
"So as far as we can assume, it looks like we have another faction in this conflict," Shiro stated as Matthew turned off his laptop. The three of them all decided in unison that they would share this information with the others later; right now, they all need to take this moment of rest before the next battle to come. Wherever and whenever that may be.
I: The Legend Reborn
The end...