The next few days passed uneventfully. There was no repeat attack of the mysterious ships. The Team took the opportunity for a little R R down by the lake. Lance, Keith, Pidge and Hunk swam, while Allura watched from the castle balcony. She especially kept her eyes on Keith. Something had happened to her over the past few days. Something she couldn't explain. Keith made his way back to shore and threw himself down on a blanket. He had left his shirt off, and she could see clearly, the scars running across his body. Scars that hadn't been there before he came to Arus. Tears filled her eyes as she thought of the many times she had almost lost him. The many times he had thrown himself in the path of danger, just to save her. Things he had said and done, things that were taking on a new meaning now. Before she could continue the thought, a voice whispered in her ear. "Enjoying the view?" Allura gasped and turned to find her cousin, Romelle, standing next to her. Romelle's husband, Sven stood there too.

"Romelle! Sven! What are you doing here?" Allura cried. She jumped up and hugged them both.

"Ve heard you needed a little help." Sven replied. His eyes narrowed as he took in the fading bruises on Allura's face.

Allura caught the look. "Don't you start. I get the same looks from all of them too. I am just doing my job. Did Keith ask you to come?"

Romelle nodded. "We came as soon as we could." She paused, and smiled a tiny, sweet smile at her husband. "There is a Space Force from Earth on the way also. We received a transmission on our way here. They should be here in a matter of hours." She smiled. "Now, let's go get the boys and make this a real party."

A short time later, all were gathered in the Rec room. Romelle was telling everyone about her brother, Bandor's, latest escapade. Keith stood nearby, seeming to listen, but his thoughts were light-years away. "Keith." Keith looked up startled to see Sven standing near him. "Tell me about deese fighters."

Keith sighed. "That's just it Sven, there's not much to tell. They came out of no where one night. Hundreds of them. We finally managed to get rid of them, but that's the strange thing. No mother ship, no Robeast. We have no idea how or where they came from. And to top it off, Lance is getting a funny feeling about the whole situation."

Sven looked serious. They all knew to trust Lance's "funny feelings." They had proved right on too many occasions. "So, vhat is next?"

"I don't know."

"Seems like ve have some investigating to do." Sven cracked a sly smile at Keith.

"I think you're right. Meet me later tonight after everyone is asleep. Time to figure this out once and for all."

Later that night, Keith and Sven meet in the Castle library. Keith played all the battle tapes and the two friends tried to find a clue. After four hours, Keith sighed. "Exactly what did you expect to find Sven?" He asked. Sven didn't answer. He kept staring at the tele-screen. "Sven?"

Sven looked up at Keith, a wicked smile on his face. "Here. Look." He rewound part of the tape. The enemy fighters were all around Voltron.

Keith watched, "I don't see anything…Wait a minute!" He peered intently at the screen. Just as Voltron attacked and destroyed a series of fighters, another group, a short distance away also blew up. "Holograms. Why didn't I see it before?"

"Vell, you vere a bit busy at de time. And who do ve know dat has holo technology?" Sven asked archly.

"Zarkon. Dammit, Lance was right. Again. Let's show this to Coran."

The next morning, the team assembled in the Command Center to hear Keith and Sven's news. "Zarkon again." Lance scowled. "Why can't we just get rid of him once and for all?"

"Hear, Hear." piped up Hunk.

"He's toying with us, isn't he?" asked Pidge.

Keith nodded. "I think so. I think this is some kind of test to see how we would react. Whatever comes next can't be good."

Allura looked thoughtful. "Well, how do we stop him?"

Keith shook his head. "We're not even sure what he's up to yet Princess. I guess we need to wait and see."

Lance paced the room. "I don't like that idea Captain. I feel like a sitting duck."

"I know Lance. In the meantime, the Space Force will be making patrol runs and familiarizing themselves with Arus. We'll just keep watch for anything unusual." Keith took a deep breath, turned and looked the Princess in the eye. "You will stay in the castle at all times. We have no idea what Zarkon and Lotor are up to. That's an order from your Commander, Princess." He said coldly.

Allura glared back at Keith. The team could almost see lightning in her blue eyes. "You command me?"

Keith nodded. "Yes. And I expect that command to be obeyed. Meeting over." He turned back to the screen, as an awkward silence filled the room.

Before Allura could get started again, Romelle took her arm. "Come cousin, show me the gardens." She all but dragged Allura from the room.

After they left, Lance turned to Keith, "Subtle Captain, very subtle. What next? Lock her in her room?"

"I think this is a good time for us to leave. Let's go Hunk!" Said Pidge heading for the door.

"Right behind you!" Hunk and Pidge fled the room.

Sven met Lance's eyes, and then turned to Keith. "Keith, ve have been friends a long time…" He began.

"If you want to stay friends, you'll leave me alone. Now. Both of you." Keith interrupted coldly.

Sven shrugged. "As you vish." He nodded to Lance and left the room, fuming. Lance stood near Keith a moment longer, then he too started to leave the room. Just as he reached the door, he turned to face Keith.

"If you care that much. Tell her. Before it's too late." Lance left the room without waiting for a reply. Keith, not seeming to have heard, continued to stare at the com-screen.

Romelle led Allura into the nearest empty room. The Princess was livid. "How dare he speak that way to me!"

Romelle tried to soothe her, "Allura, he is just looking out for you."

"Looking out for me! He basically committed me to house arrest! Who does he think he is? Arrogant, pompous, stuck-up creep!"

Sven entered the room. "Talking about Keith, I presume?" He said wryly.

Allura whirled to face him. "Well, did you talk some sense into him?" It was more of a demand than a question.

Sven walked over and sat next to Romelle. "I did not get a chance to say anyting. He trew Lance and me out of de room."

Romelle looked up in surprise. Allura stopped pacing to stare at Sven. "He threw you out?" She asked.

Sven nodded. "I have never seen Keith act dis vay. Vell, only once. Vhen his parents vent missing." Sven looked thoughtful for a moment. "He is very angry Princess. Very angry, and very afraid."

Allura snorted. "Keith? Afraid? I don't think so Sven. He is just getting on his high horse, wanting us to follow his every command. Well, not this time." She stalked out, heading to her room.

Romelle took her husband's hand, and smiled. "That went well. Don't you think?"

Sven shook his head. Before he could reply, the alarms went off. He grabbed Romelle's hand and headed to the control room. The Team was assembled, all except Allura. On the view screen, a giant Robeast could be seen terrorizing the country side. It was shaped like a giant Minotaur, complete with horns and flaming red eyes. The Space Force fighters where swarming around to no effect.

Keith turned to his team. "So it begins. Sven, take the Blue Lion."

Sven glanced up at the screen. "Too late my Captain, some one already has."

Keith whirled in surprise. Sure enough, Blue Lion was headed off towards the Robeast. Keith snarled in anger and headed to his Lion. The rest of the team looked at each other for a moment, then ran to their ships. Sven sat down next to Coran at the controls.

The Lions took off from their tunnels, and flew at top speed towards the Robeast. "Princess! What are you doing?" Keith asked.

"My job, Captain." Allura replied sarcastically. "Nice of you guys to finally show up. Let's take care of this thing now!"

"Sven! Tell those fighters to move out! They aren't doing any good where they are. Back off and keep us covered." Keith told Sven.

"Aye, aye Captain." Sven answered.

They advanced upon the Robeast. "All right Team, heads up. Stay in formation. Let's see what this thing can do." Keith led the lions nearer. The Robeast was even more terrifying up close. It spotted the Lions, and pulled out a huge, flaming energy whip. Lightning crackled as it brandished the whip above its head. One bolt shot out and engulfed the Black Lion. Keith yelled in pain.

"Keith!" Screamed the team in unison.

"Look out! That thing can short out all our systems! Don't get too close." Pidge called out. His fingers began to move rapidly across his keyboard. "I'll try and reverse the polarity."

"Hurry Pidge," said Keith shaking his head to clear it, and once more in control. "Let's form Voltron. It's the only way to take this thing down!"

The lions all gathered together and formed the giant robot. "Let's go Voltron Force!"

"Form Blazing Sword!" yelled Keith. The laser sword appeared in Voltron's hands. They advanced towards the Robeast.

"Talk to me Pidge!" said Keith.

Pidge was still working franticly. "Almost …..Got it! We're clear!"

"Good job Pidge." replied Keith. They got closer to the minotaur. The huge creature lunged with it's whip. Voltron tangled the whip around his sword, and pulled it out of the creature's hands. "Now, let's finish this and go home." But before Voltron could act, the Robeast grabbed one of his arms and tore it apart. Lance screamed as the Red Lion was torn from the rest of the Team and flung to the ground. "LANCE! Answer me!" Keith yelled. There was no reply. "Split up, now. Hunk, Pidge, you two lead that thing towards the canyon. See if you can get it close to the edge of one of the cliffs. I'll be right behind you."

"Roger Skipper." said Hunk. He and Pidge took off. After a moment, the Robeast followed at their heels.

"Keith, what should I do?" asked Allura.

Keith closed his eyes and prayed his friend was all right. "Stay with Lance." He took off after the others, hating to leave. "We'll be back as soon as we can." He flew off after watching Allura land her Lion next to Lance. As he neared the canyon, he saw Pidge and Hunk antagonizing the Robeast. The Space Fighters had also returned and were herding the creature closer to the edge. It suddenly stopped short and looked directly up at the Black Lion. "Uh-oh." muttered Keith. The Robeast swung its head around, the wicked horns flashing. Keith tried to move out of the way, but the Robeast was too fast. One of the horns caught Black Lion's underside and flung the ship into the rock wall. Keith yelled and smashed his head against the control panel. Everything went dark. Black Lion fell limply to the ground.

"That's it! Pidge! Follow me!" Hunk flew at top speed towards the Robeast's torso. He and Pidge hit it dead center. The impact was enough for the giant beast to lose its balance. It toppled over the cliff and landed at the bottom with a horrific explosion.