Chapter Twenty-Five:
Allura sat at the head of her bed, staring at the holopad in her lap and the image it displayed sadly. The hologrm tinted everything blue, from her mother's dark skin to her pale lavender hair and the pink markings beneath her purple-blue eyes. But the hologram did nothing to tamper with her mother's voice.
"Chief Inez and I have made much progress today." Queen Nova of Altea said, her voice as bright as her smile. "All of the trade leaders will be bringing in their specific requests in the morning. Officially, that is."
Allura paused the hologram again, just staring at her mother's face.
She had always known that she looked like her mother. Looking in the mirror was just one way that prevented Allura from forgetting her mother's face. But that was still very little to remember someone had died so long ago, when Allura was still so small.
The fat yellow mouse on her shoulder suddenly picked up his head and sniffed the air.
"What is wrong, little one?" Allura asked with a chuckle, reaching up to pet him on the head. "Did someone get a snack and you are hoping that they will share?"
But the other three mice also became a little more alert where they rested beside Allura.
There was a knock on the door, and a familiar voice calling, "Princess? May I enter?"
Allura reached over to her bedside table and activated the door, allowing Coran to enter.
"Is everything alright?" Allura asked, setting aside the holopad.
"I can't answer that without asking you the exact same question." Coran said, coming to stand at the foot of Allura's bed, arms folded behind his back.
Allura glanced beside her, where the holopad rested, still displaying her mother's face.
"I will be." She said. "I apologize for my behavior earlier. I was childish and churlish."
"You're worried. About this alliance with the Ilevians." Coran said.
"I am hoping that all will go well." Allura said. "The Illevians were always friendly to Altea, though I can only begin to wonder if that has been true for the past ten thousand years…"
"That's not what you're worried about." Coran stated. "You're worried that you won't do as good of a job as Queen Nova."
Allura said nothing, staring at her hands in her lap. To her surprise, Coran came around and sat beside her, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a gentle hug.
"You know, Princess," He said. "You're a fantastic leader, just like your father. He would be so proud of you, of everything you've done up until now. But you are also a lot like your mother, and she would be proud of how well you negotiate and handle diplomacies."
"I barely remember her, Coran." Allura whispered, swallowing when she felt tears come to her eyes. "I learned so much at my father's side, but I wish I had the same chance to learn from her. To actually know her." Allura reached up and took off her circlet, one of the few pieces of Altean treasure left, which signified her position as heir to the throne, brushing her thumb over the stone in the center. "This is what I have of my father, what I have of his legacy. But I have nothing of mother's. I wish… It is silly, but I wish I had something of hers to take with me to meet with the Illevians."
Coran thought for a moment, then stood up, holding out his hand for Allura to take.
"Come with me, Princess. I am going to show you a part of the Castle that you haven't seen since you were very, very small." He said.
Allura frowned, but took Coran's hand, linking arms with him as he led her out of her chambers and down the halls.
Allura had been down these halls before, yes, many times. But she had no idea of what lay behind the door Coran took her to.
Coran keyed in a passcode, letting the door slide open. Coran indicated for Allura to step inside the dark room. Hesitantly, she did so.
As soon as she stepped inside, light flooded the room and Allura paused, eyes widening.
No… It was impossible…
But then she took a deep breath, inhaling the beautiful scent.
Juniberry flowers. Her mother's favorite flower. This room smelled of the Juniberry perfume she always wore, the scent warm and familiar as it washed over her.
Allura looked around at the room, a massive bedchamber with a small set of couches and chairs off to the side. An entire case against a wall full of books and knick-knacks, treasures from her parents' adventures both before and after their marriage.
A dressing table, long strands of lavender hair in the bristles of the brush. A strand of Oxenbree crystals hanging out of the jewelry box. A half-empty bottle of Juniberry perfume sat in front of the mirror.
"Coran… What is this?" Allura asked, looking around in awe.
"Your parents' bedchamber." Coran answered.
"No, that can't be." Allura said, shaking her head. "Father's chambers was just down the hall from mine…"
"After your mother died, your father moved back into the room that was his when he was the crown prince. He locked this chamber up and forbade entry to anyone." Coran explained. "Because this… This is the room your parents shared together. You were born in this very room, you know."
Coran smiled faintly at the memory, watching as Allura walked around the room, occasionally touching an item, leaving fingerprints in the dust.
"I remember that day so clearly. I had just arrived at the Castle, and was headed towards this room, when your father very well nearly ran me over, you in his arms. He was so excited, he couldn't wait to introduce you to the Yellow Lion. He was lucky your mother was too drugged up to really think anything of it at the time. She knew you were with Alfor and therefore safe, but, stars, did he pay for it later. Alfor got chewed out by both Nova and the midwife for whisking you away. And then when Ryla arrived, she was highly perturbed that you were born furless, and was so worried you'd freeze to death. It took half an spincle to convince her to hand you back to Nova, and really we only succeeded because you woke up from a nap hungry. In keeping you warm, Ryla succeeded. Fed, however, was another thing altogether."
Coran chuckled.
"I'm prattling," He said. "I brought you here because I think there is something of your mother's you should have."
"Really?" Allura asked, turning to her advisor, who nodded before heading over to the closet.
"And I believe the Illevians will most certainly appreciate this as well." He said as he opened the door.
"Allura, you look fantastic!" Lani gushed a few days later as Allura came to the bridge, dressed in a dark green dress that was embroidered with pink, blue and light green flowers and vines. In addition, Allura had added a pale pink cape and asked Lance to help her make a braided crown around her head.
Allura smiled.
"Thank you, Lani." She said.
"And here I thought I had seen every dress in your closet, and then you pull this one out of nowhere." Pidge said, grinning as they admired the dress.
"Not nowhere. Just… kept somewhere very safe." Allura said, her fingers reaching down to brush at the soft fabric.
From where she stood on the bridge, Allura watched as the planet of Illeva arrived, awaiting for the Castle to land.
Allura took a deep breath and straightened.
She was as prepared as she would ever be.
They landed the Castle, and were greeted by the current Chief and her entourage.
The Illevians were tall and incredibly slender with pale, silvery skin. Dark, slanted eyes brightened and shapeless lips formed a smile when the Chief saw Allura.
"Princess Allura." Chief Nitwiel said. "I understand that it has been many years since you were last on Illeva, so I greet you by saying 'welcome back'."
"Thank you, Chief Nitwiel." Allura said, giving the Chief a small bow. "I must confess that I was rather small the last time I visited. I am eager to see it with older eyes, and a taller point of view."
Chief Nitwiel stepped forward, a long, spindly hand reaching out, then paused and looked at Allura.
"May I?" She asked. Allura nodded. Chief Nitwiel then knelt to the ground and gently lifted the hem of Allura's skirt, inspecting it. "This is my great-grandmother's Weaving, without a doubt."
"Your great-grandmother gifted this dress to my mother, upon the completion and signing of the treaty that they worked together to create." Allura said.
Chief Nitwiel smiled.
"Then it is fate that has brought their daughters—and the daughters of their daughters' daughters—together." She said, standing up again. "I look forward to negotiating with you, Princess. But, first, allow me to escort you and the Paladins of Voltron on a tour of Illeva."
The Chief led the Castle Crew to the main square, which acted as a market, where Weavers and Growers were at work.
In one stall, a Grower tenderly stroked a pale pink plant that sat in his lap, while beside him a Weaver carefully turned the leaf of the plant into ultra-fine strips in the air before him with one hand, then weaving the strips into a bundle of fabric on his lap in the other hand. In another, a group of Weavers and Growers worked together to turn plant material into metal through what appeared to be a complicated process involving a boiling pot and constant, consistent movements. Meanwhile, another Weaver carefully but quickly made a small, square little treat on a stick, holding it out to a small girl.
"Wow…" Hunk said with admiration as he watched the process. "You can't even tell it's been woven, not like like what things we consider 'woven' on Earth are."
"Once the fibers stop moving, they meld into each other." The stall-owner explained, grinning as she offered her observers some of the treats. "Thus making the fibers unseen."
"Does that mean it can't be unraveled?" Lance asked, accepting one of the treats.
"It takes a very skilled Weaver to weave, and unweave." Chief Nitwiel explained. "Those with that ability are not only our most prized artisans, but they are also known as a special class of Repairers. They are the ones who can seamlessly mend a tear in fabric, fix a broken off piece, turn uneaten portions of food into something completely different."
"So, uh, does that mean pretty much everything you make is edible?" Shinji asked. "Even the metal?"
Chief Nitwiel chuckled.
"I do not recommend it, but, yes." She said. "Even the metal. We have no waste; everything can be reused. Or, indeed, eaten."
Chief Nitwiel concluded the tour, then led Allura back to the palace for negotiations while the rest of the crew explored the market on their own.
Pidge and Lance wandered over to where Growers and Weavers worked together to make different kinds of fabric and clothing.
"I would have thought you'd tag along with Lani and Hunk to go see what makes this planet move." Lance commented to Pidge while they watched as a Weaver turned a plant into a dark green fabric that was like silk.
"Actually, I'm hoping to find information to help me with a project." Pidge explained.
"Wait, is this project the whatever-you're-making-that-involves-enhanced-Quintessence?" Lance asked.
Pidge nodded.
"And I might need your help, Lance." They said.
"Pidge, I'm not being your test subject, not after the time where you turned my hair pink for a whole day."
"I don't need you as a test subject." Pidge said. "I need you to teach me how to sew."
Lance arched a brow, then nodded.
"Then let's find your fabric, first." He said.
"I am sad to say, Princess, that we have a problem, one that we were hopeful that you and the Paladins of Voltron could help us with." Chief Nitwiel explained as she sat with Allura, Coran and several Illevian officials at a long table. "In exchange, you have our loyalty and we will be at your beck and call for whatever physical resources you may need."
"Voltron exists to help the people of the universe," Allura said. "But even so, I would like to know a little more about what you need help with."
"Certainly," The Chief said with a nod. She took a deep breath and said, "As I understand it, your Castle operates on a Balmeran crystal. Likewise, our source for heat and energy—the one thing we cannot manufacture—is a similar crystal. Our whole planet is centered around this crystal. However, recently my Weavers in charge of operating the planet have discovered that it has cracked in several places. We are having power-outages frequently. We need a new crystal, desperately."
Allura smiled easily, relaxing.
"If that is all you require, you can consider it done. One of the first planets in the Voltron Alliance is a Balmera." She said. "Our Yellow Paladin, Hunk, is frequently in contact with a friend he made during that time. I'll ask him to immediately contact her to see about obtaining one. With luck, we can have one ready for you in less than seven diurnal cycles."
"I am afraid, your highness, that it is not that simple." One of Chief Nitwiel's advisors said, lacing his long fingers together in front of him. "We cannot use a crystal from just any Balmera. We may be able to manipulate our plants into metals, but everything is—at its very core—plant material. Natural. Therefore, we need a particular kind of Balmeran crystal that will interact with the plant material rather than just metal."
"Stars above," Coran said, stiffening slightly beside Allura. "You don't mean a crystal from the Queen Mother Balmera?"
"We do," Chief Nitwiel said. "We were fortunate, that we were able to obtain our current crystal before the Galra reign. But now they occupy the Queen Mother Balmera, and we have encountered many difficulties in getting down to obtain a crystal ourselves."
Allura glanced at Coran, who gave her a small encouraging nod before she turned back to Chief Nitwiel.
"Before we agree, we will need to conduct our own research regarding the situation on the Queen Mother Balmera," She said. "And confer with the Paladins."
"Of course." Chief Nitwiel said with a nod.
"Queen Mother Balmera?" Keith repeated, brow furrowed. "Is that like a bigger version of the one we've been to before?"
"What exactly is a Balmera?" Shinji asked.
"A Balmera is a living creature that takes on the shape of a planet." Hunk explained. "Crystals grow on its surface and inside the mines that are carved into it. There's this whole energy transfer ceremony involved, it's really cool."
"So, I'm guessing by the name, this Queen Mother Balmera is, well, the mother of all Balmeras?" Shiro asked.
"Correct, Number One." Coran said. "Now, based on where they decide to orbit in the universe, Balmeras have different surface environments. Most are rocky or icy, some more desert like. But the Queen Mother is the only Balmera to have plants growing on it."
"Have you ever visited the Queen Mother Balmera, Coran?" Lance asked.
"Once, a long time ago." Coran said with a small nod, looking a bit wistful. "It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Or, perhaps 'was' is a better term. I'm terrified to go and discover what the Galra have done to her."
"So, we just need to go in, kick Galra butt, get a crystal and bring it back to Illeva?" Lance said. "Seems pretty straightforward. All in a day's work for Team Voltron."
"It may not be so simple." Allura said. "Chief Nitwiel said that she has sent Illevians to the world before to obtain a crystal. The Balmerans on the Queen Mother apparently distrust other species, even when they are attempting to offer assistance, and are more strictly controlled by the Galra there. Furthermore, a native Balmeran will be needed to harvest a crystal." Allura reached up and gently touched one of her earrings. "If I were to try an energy transfer, I would be dead before we could get a crystal that is of the same size as this."
"Okay, so we need to free the Balmerans, but they probably won't necessarily like us, but we need them to like us to get the crystal." Pidge said, tapping a finger to their chin in thought.
"We may need a few more people for this assignment." Shiro said. "Now might be a good time to call in some reinforcements."
"You have reinforcements?" Tali asked.
"We have reinforcements?" Hunk asked, tilting his head.
Shiro nodded.
"If we can't get the Balmerans to trust us, we can at least try to get them to trust members of their own species. Let's call Shay and ask her to come with us."
"Who is Shay?" Shinji asked.
"Hunk's girlfriend." Lance answered breezily.
Lani's eyes widened some as Hunk's eyes narrowed at Lance.
"For the last time, Shay is not my girlfriend." Hunk said. "She is a rock who I admire very much."
"Yeah, sure, that's why you're always calling her to chat." Lance said teasingly.
"Lance, knock it off." Shiro said, a hint of warning in his voice. "Hunk, go back to the Castle and contact Shay now and see if she's up for the job and if not find someone who is."
Hunk nodded and left the room in the suite that the Illevians had provided for their stay, giving a final glare at Lance as he went.
"I will go inform Chief Nitwiel that we will are going to try to get the Illevians a crystal." Allura said, standing up to leave.
"I'm going back to the Castle, too." Lani said, jumping up from the couch suddenly. "Going to upload the footage I got from today."
With that, she dashed out of the room.
Shiro turned to Lance with a sharp look.
"What?" Lance said, trying to look innocent.
"You know what." Shiro said.
"Ooh, someone's in trouble…" Pidge said in a sing-song voice.
"Hunk's told you—told all of you, yes, Keith and Pidge, I'm bringing you into this—I don't know how many times…" Shiro started to say.
"Imma let you finish, Shiro," Lance said, holding up a hand, grinning. "But did you see Lani's face?"
"She looked surprised, and a little pissed." Tali commented. The corner of her mouth turned up. "I think I see the method to your madness, Lance."
"You're trying to force Hunk and Lani to actually talk about the quiznaking feelings they have for each other." Pidge said.
"I figured the potential competition could spark some sort of love confession." Lance said.
"Shay isn't competition, though." Keith said.
"Potential is the keyword, Keith." Lance said.
Shiro frowned.
"The intentions do not justify the actions, Lance." Shiro said. "You're going to need to apologize to Hunk."
"And I will." Lance said. "But with any luck, he'll be coming to me to thank me before then."
Hunk did not have any need to thank Lance, who apologized, mostly because he could feel Shiro's eyes on him and knew they wouldn't be off of him until he apologized.
They left Illeva, and were headed to Shay's Balmera the following morning.
"Uh, should we be concerned that we haven't seen Pidge since we left? They skipped lunch…" Lani said as Lance—in an effort to get back into Hunk's good graces—cleared the table of the dinner dishes.
"They're probably in the lab. I saved them a plate for when they are hungry." Hunk said, gesturing to a covered dish in front of the only empty chair.
Shiro stood up, picking up the covered dish.
"I'll take it to them," He said. "Because, hungry or not, Pidge won't leave the lab once they enter 'the zone'."
"You're a brave man for entering the lab when Pidge is in the zone." Lance said, shuddering slightly. "Coran, you better prep a healing pod for what's left of Shiro…"
"I'll start planning an extraction and rescue mission." Keith said, voice completely serious despite the small grin he had.
Shiro rolled his eyes and started out of the dining room.
However, he didn't get out of the doorway when he quickly had to lift up the dish so that the Pidge didn't crash into it. Instead, they stuck out their hands in order to brace for impact, palms hitting Shiro's chest. Unfortunately (or fortunately, however you wanted to look at it), Pidge had too much momentum and the rest of them crashed into Shiro's chest as well.
"Sorry!" Pidge said, hands moving slightly over Shiro's torso as they tried to get themself steady again.
"Are you okay?" Shiro asked, looking down at them. Pidge nodded, completely red.
"Yeah," They said. "I'm good…" Then the blush lessened on their face and their eyes brightened and they gently pushed away from Shiro (which was maybe unnecessary, but it gave them a chance to feel Shiro's pecs so…) and went over to the table. They reached into the pocket on their cargo pants and pulled out a bundle wrapped in a surprisingly clean rag and tied with a bit of string, depositing the bundle in front of Shinji.
"Open it!" Pidge encouraged. Shinji's brow furrowed, but he set down his spork and picked up the bundle. He gave the string a tug and the bundle opened, revealing a pair of black gloves wrapped inside.
"Okay…" He said, confusion in his voice as he picked up one of the gloves. "Uh, thanks?"
Pidge's grin grew and they reached into their other pocket, pulling out a singular, identical glove, slipping it onto their left hand.
"Watch." They said.
They took their gloved thumb and ran it along their other fingertips. There was a small clicking sound and suddenly the glove began to glow a pale purple.
"Whoa…" Hunk said, eyes wide as he came over to Pidge's side. They held out their arm for Hunk to take as he carefully lifted their hand close to his face to study the glove. "This is your big mysterious project, isn't it?"
"Pidge, is this powered by the enhanced quintessence?" Allura asked, also coming around to study the glove.
"Yes and yes." Pidge said proudly. "The fabric is Illevian. I found a Weaver who was willing to craft me special fabric that won't burn so the wearer doesn't get hurt."
Shinji slipped a glove onto his own left hand and activated it.
"This will definitely work…" He said, impressed as he moved his hand. "It turns off the same way it activates?"
Pidge nodded and Shinji did so.
"It sounds like so many civilizations contributed to this." Tali commented. "Illevian materials, Altean tools, human engineering…"
"And Galra tech inspiration." Shiro said. Pidge's smile waned a little as they nodded sheepishly, studying Shiro's reaction. He simply nodded and said, "It's definitely a lot less bulky. And TSA friendly." He turned to Shinji. "Want to test it out on the Gladiator?"
"Might as well," Shinji said, standing up.
As the brothers left the room, Allura said,
"Pidge, this is really quite remarkable. By any chance, would you be able to make me a pair?"
"I can," Pidge said. "But I'll need to get more fabric once we go back to Illeva."
"I thought you got enough material to make at least four gloves." Lance said. "So you could just make one?"
"Uh, no. That fabric is… Unavailable…" Pidge said.
"A test go wrong?" Hunk asked.
"Not exactly…" Pidge said. "Let's just say, it has something to do with an even bigger mystery project."
"Frankly, that terrifies me more than all the Robeasts Zarkon's sent after us." Lance said.
"Just trust me when I say it's going to be awesome." Pidge said, taking off the glove so that Hunk and Tali could get a better look at it deactivated.
However, there was a different, gloved hand that took the glove before Hunk and Tali. Coran held it up and studied it briefly for a moment before nodding and handing it to Hunk, who immediately took it over to the table to examine, everyone beginning to crowd for a better look.
"You did good work, Number Five." Coran said in a low voice, ruffling Pidge's hair gently. "Though I admit I am beginning to worry that Green is a little too daring for their own good."
With that, he left the room, Pidge watching him curiously.
Shinji was panting slightly but grinning as the Gladiator fell, turning to look at Takashi, who was grinning.
"That was really good. You've got a great weapon suited for your fighting style." Takashi said, coming over to put his hand on Shinji's shoulder.
"Won't lie, this turned out much better than I thought it would." Shinji said.
Takashi gently pat his shoulder.
"I'd offer for you to have a go against me, but we'll be here all night if we start now." He said.
"First thing in the morning, then?" Shinji asked.
"We'll need someone to get us to stop before we reach the Balmera, but sure." Takashi said. "For now, let's get to bed, it's getting late. Go get cleaned up and I'll take care of the Gladiator."
Shinji nodded and began to pull off the gloves.
"Alright." He said. "See you in the morning, then. Good night, Takashi."
"Good night, Shinji." Takashi said. There was a brief pause, in which Shinji headed towards the door, but he froze when he heard his brother speak again.
"And, Shinji? Happy birthday."
Shinji looked over his shoulder and smiled at his brother.
"Thanks, Takashi." He said.
It was the happiest he had felt since he started this mad space adventure.