# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
A Change in the Winds
Arus
arus-dot-geo-at-yahoo-dot-com

Voltron and its characters are owned by World Event's Productions.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Chapter 11
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # Planet Arus # # # # #

Keith looked over the reports that he received from both Katherine and Neive while he and Lance attended to the daily reports in the Castle's Control room. Pidge, Hunk and their new guest, Siaras were busy down in the repair bays as they went over the intricasies of the Lion ships, to familiarize her with the technology used. He was hoping they would have a report for him as soon as they were done.

Lance was busy at the control panel as he entered the reports he received from the regular castle personnel. As he finished up his last report he turned to his long time friend, seeing that he was looking over the report that Neive had given him.

"So what did Neive have to report?" Lance asked.

Keith let out a sigh as he turned to him. "What we already know," he stated. "He couldn't figure out on where to start our search for the sixth lion."

"But, if we have Allura, Neive and Zeya are supposed to be able to locate it, wouldn't we just need them to get together?"

Keith could only shake his head. "We've already had them together, and their armlets have done nothing," he stated. "No, I think we need to be physically somewhere in order to activate them. And that 'where' is what we need to figure out."

Lance slowly nodded, then he thought for a moment. "Just before Neive got into trouble with his lion, he mentioned that he was checking out the old site of where Mythrias once stood," he stated. "After he woke up, he reported that something happened with his armlet, but I simply excused it at first that because Zeya was near him, the two just were drawn to each other because they were close."

Keith turned to him. "But they are close now and the armlets aren't even reacting to each other?"

Lance slowly nodded. "Marlena knew that she would have to keep the sixth lion safe from those eyes of Zarkon as he was the main attacking force during that time," Lance sated. "Zarkon concentrated his attacks on this kingdom and left Helena alone. Mythrias was already leveled by that time."

"Mythrias," Keith stated. "It all comes back to the first kingdom."

"Keith, if the area is where Marlena hid the lion, we will have to be prepared to know that the Triasians, might know of the location as well," Lance offered. "And we still do not know of what happened to Prince Lotor. What if he is hellbent on coming to Arus?"

"We will have to concern ourselves about Lotor later," Keith stated. "As soon as Hunk and Pidge are through with showing Siaras around the repair bays, have them report to the Control Room. Have Allura and Neive also bring Zeya here. We'll take the Lion ships to explore that area."

"I'll signal them."

"We should do it before sunset," Keith stated. "If we do happen upon the Lion, we want enough time to explore the area. We dont even know if its in an underground laboratory, or just hidden away in a cave. Without light, we wont be able to know what the heck we are looking at."

Lance nodded. "What if Marlena set up a trap?"

"We'll have to take that under consideration," Keith stated. "Just keep your eyes peeled for anything that seems out of place."

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # The Elyts, Approaching the Azure Quadrant # # # # #

Rolsin stared at the com-unit before him as it played through a series of videos documenting the attacks by King Zarkon's forces against Planet Arus. He made sure to note any patterns evident in the giant defender's movements as well as how the team that piloted the great robot worked to defeat the individual robot fighters on their own in each lion ship. He was quick to recognize how each pilot had approached each attack different from each other, yet were able to work together to defeat the forces that threatened to destroy the beautiful planet.

A ring came from his study's door and he allowed whomever was visiting in.

"We've finally received the signal from Siaras," Risen stated as he entered his brother's study. "She states that she has found Princess Zeya. She is with the Voltron Force, playing on their trust."

"I see," Rolsin stated as he stood from his chair. "Any word on Lotor?"

"She has not seen him on Arus," Risen stated. "However, she has learned that the Voltron Force is currently looking for a new weapon that their Queen Marlena had developed years ago."

"New weapon?"

"Something about a sixth lion..."

Rolsin met his brother's gaze. "There was no reports or indications of any sixth lion ship," he stated.

"The location and the knowledge of this new lion ship had only been recently discovered by the Voltron Force themselves," Risen stated. "Do you think that Marlena was able to develop a ship unbeknownst to even the Drule Forces?"

Rolsin could only nod. "It seems so," he stated. "Has Siaras learned anything of the technology for this sixth lion?"

Risen shook his head. "So far, the only person who has had access to any such documentation is the Voltron Force Beta pilot of the Blue Lion ship," he stated. "A Prince Neive of the Kingdom of Helena."

"Did she state that they have found the ship?"

"The will be sending out their ships today to do so."

"Then we must slow their progress," Rolsin stated. "Send forth our attack fleet. You and Relins will join me so we may confront this Voltron Force together. Capture both the Princess Zeya and Siaras. If anyone gets in your way to do so, destroy them."

Risen nodded. "We should have the strike force ready within the half hour."

"Good," Rolsin stated. "Once we have Arus, the Galaxy Alliance's entire legion shall fall to us."

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # Planet Vallis # # # # #

"Queen Anala!"

Anala turned as a young soldier quickly made his way to meet her. As soon as she saw the look in his eyes, she knew that something was wrong.

"Milady," he started. "We just received a signal from our long range sattelites," he stated. "A massive energy spike was just detected just outside the Azure Quadrant. Xue thinks that its a large attack force, heading toward Planet Arus."

"Attack force?" Anala asked. "How many?"

"Over 14,000 ships, by Xue's guess," he stated. "It's larger than any known attack force by the Drules."

"Has he tried to contact the Voltron Force?"

"The signal is being jammed," he stated. "No matter what we do, we cannot get out a warning call to them."

"They are sitting blind," Anala said. "Thank you, Giha. Tell Xue that I will meet him in the Palace's main control room within the hour."

"Yes, milady."

Anala watched as the young soldier run off in the direction he came from. She then turned to the man who stood beside her.

"Tell me, how large was the force that attacked Planet Doom?"

"Nearly half that size."

"It seems that the Triasians have finally set their sights on a new target," Anala stated as she met Lotor's gaze.

She studied him as he stood next to her. Physical wounds now healed, she knew that there was more that was hurting him. The loss of his home; his sister missing. And as much as she knew, he probably did wonder what happened to his father, even if he was not willing to voice any concern over the Drule King. Now dressed in the formal attire of Vallusian royalty, she somehow felt that he looked right. Finally finding a place where he belonged.

"The only way we can warn them is if we make our way to Arus," he stated. "Even then, if they are unprepared for this attack force, they may not have a chance, even with Voltron."

Anala nodded. "We will let Xue know of this," she stated. "Come, there isn't much time."

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # Planet Arus - The Ruins of Mythrias # # # # #

Mythrias, one of Arus' three kingdoms, laid as ruins befor the Voltron Force as they circled the old area. Allura gazed down along the the expanding forest line, barely any memory of the grand kingdom that once stood here.

"Has it been that long?" Allura asked herself. The forest had reclaimed what was left of the kingdom. Any sign of buildings were now long under thick foliage; only small remanants of once were stone roads could be seen under the chiseled ground.

The main castle should have stood right under us, Pidge came over their com system. Infrared scans confirm the old foundation. It seems that last attack by Zarkon's forces all those years ago, leveled the entire building.

Princess Zeya stood quietly as she rode with Keith in his lion ship. She could only find herself staring at the forest, before her on the view screen. Staring at the land that was once her mother's home. She didn't know what to think.

"Pidge, keep scanning the area," she heard Keith's reply to his teammate. "If Queen Marlena did hide the lion ship around here, then there must be a hidden cavern or underground cave near here."

Roger, the younger teammate answered. Neive, any reaction so far?

Neive rode in the Blue Lion with Princess Allura and he met her gaze. "Nothing so far, Pidge," Neive stated. "But , I was flying about 2 clicks south of this position when my armlet started acting up. Where I confronted Princess Zeya."

Zeya looked down at her armlet and saw nothing coming from it. "Yes," she stated. "We were farther south."

Keith slowly nodded. "Pidge, you and Hunk continue to scout this area," he issued. "Allura, Lance, and I will continue South to see if we pick up anything. We will meet back here in an hour's time."

Hopefully, we wont have to do some major digging, Lance replied. Keith, Siaras says that we should also scan for any unknown metals. It will speed up the search.

"Roger that," Keith answered. "Okay, head due south and we'll searc the area. Neive, if either of your armlets have any reaction, notify us immediately. We'll touch down and explore on foot from there."

Roger, came Neive's reply.

From there the five ships separated, and red, blue and Black lions continued south toward the lower end of Mythrias.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # The Elyts, the Azure Quadrant # # # # #

"Our forces are ready, my lord," Relins stated as he entered his brother's study. "If we leave now, we should reach Planet Arus in a little over of their hours time."

"Good," Rolsin stated as he stood from the chair he was sitting in. "Is Risen ready with his army?"

"They are prepped and awaiting your command."

"We will keep it clean, this time," Rolsin stated. "This is a new force we will be going up against, and I want to be sure to see what we can gain from them.

"As much as we need, we need not do a full scale attack," Rolsin continued. "I am in search of Princess Zeya, and Siaras has confirmed her presence with the Voltron Force. A small fleet will do."

"I will let Risen know," Relins said. "What if the Princess is with one of the Voltron members?"

"We do as with all those who defy us," Rolsin stated.

"Understood," Relins stated. "Your command ship awaits."

"Stay with Risen until we reach Arus, then both of you join me in the command ship once the attack commences. We will go down to Arus once the third wave starts."

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

# # # # # Planet Arus - Lower Mythrias # # # # #

Zeya watched the viewscreen as they flew over a dense section of the forest that ran through the south end of Mythrias. They were nearing the area where she had confronted the Blue Lion pilot, Neive.

She then felt a slight sensation from her right wrist and her attention turned to that of the armlet she was wearing.

"We're near," she stated.

Keith looked at her and saw that her armlet was indeed reacting to the area they were in.

"Princess, Neive, are your armlets reacting to the area?"

Yes, they are reacting to this area, the Princess replied. We should land and explore this area.

"There's a clearing about a hundred yards from here," Keith noted. "We'll land there and see what is around here. I'll send out a signal to Pidge and Hunk to meet us here."

Keith, I will land my lion a little farther up so Siaras and I can take a look around, Lance radioed in from the Red Lion. If we notice something out of the ordinary, I will radio you.

"Roger," Keith stated. "Blue Lion, read to land in that clearing."

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Keith slowly opened the upper hatch to his lion and climbed out. He then helped Princess Zeya from the small cockpit and they quickly made their way down to the ground. Zeya looked around remembering that only a few days ago, she had been injured by the Blue Lion as she confronted its lone pilot. She watched as the Blue made its descent and came to land a few yards away. As the dust and debris settled, she watched as two figures made their way out of the lion ship. She followed Keith as he went to greet them.

"Anything in this area looks familiar?" Keith asked once they were grouped together.

Neive looked around slowly shaking his head. "Just from the other day," he stated. "When Blue Lion trapped the both of us."

Zeya slowly nodded in agreement. She turned her gaze to the armlet she was wearing seeing that the jewels embedded within were blinking.

"We're here together, but nothing is happening," Neive stated as he too looked at his armlet.

Zeya then turned toward the Blue Lion as it rested in the distance. She then looked at their armlets and then turned toward the Black Lion.

"Wait," she stated. "The five lions."

"What is it?" Princess Allura asked.

She looked around the ground for a small stick. She then knelt down and started to draw out a symbol in the ground before her.

"The five lions, like the five points of a star," she stated. "The same symbol you see when you start to go through the sequence to form Voltron. The lion ships. They must be here in that same formation."

Keith slowly nodded and pulled out his communicator. "Lance, Hunk, Pidge, make your way to our position, we are going to need your lions to help us."

Aye Aye, be there in a few clicks, Pidge replied.

Keith studied the area. As always, his senses were on alert, hoping that while they were out searching for a lost lion ship, that nothing would happen in the process. With Zarkon out of the picture, he was not sure whether Lotor would be on his way to Arus, to collect his sister.

The roar of the other Lions ships above caused him to look up and they made their descent into the star pattern that Zeya had pointed out. The six lion pilots and women gathered in the middle. Zeya looked around then stared down at her armlet. She then turned to Neive, before meeting the gaze of the others.

"We have to be alone here," she stated. "You, take to the forest edge. I have a feeling that whatever we are going to reveal will not show itself unless we are here alone."

Keith slowly nodded and handed Neive his blaster. "If anything seems out of the ordinary, your lives are more important to us than that lion ship. Be careful."

"We will," Neive stated.

The others moved away from the inner circle and took to the outlying foliage. Zeya turned to Princess Allura and Neive as she held out her armlet.

"What are we supposed to do?" Allura asked.

"Since this is my mother's homeland," Zeya started.

Allura and Neive watched as she closed her eyes. Suddenly the jewels on each of their armlets began to shine brighter. The symbols of each kingdom slowly shined with an inner light. Neive turned when he saw that the Blue Lion was roaring in the distance; followed by Yellow, Green, Red and then Black Lion.

Then, the ground beneath them started to rumble and the outline of a pentagon started to form around them. The inner shape of a five pointed star.

Zeya then opened her eyes as Allura and Neive met her gaze.

"It's here."

Allura and Neive then let out a gasp as the ground beneath them to shake. A sudden wind came up, sending leaves and dust everywhere.

Then all became silent. The air around them felt still, not a sound emanated from the forest around them. The lions ships were now silent, resting as if nothing had happened. Neive looked around, then felt a slight vibration coming from the armlet he was wearing. The two jewels embed within were now glowing instead of blinking.

Zeya looked at her own then held her arm out. Neive nodded as he held his own toward the center. As the armlets came together, the jewels grew brighter, and a holographic image appeared before them; an image of showing all three of Arus' royalty. Queen Marlena, Queen Orla, and Princess Karone.

"Mother..."

For Zeya, it was the first time she had ever seen her mother, as she stood among the two Queens. She looked peaceful, yet concerned. It was her image that then came forward as the holographic message played before them.

# If you are seeing this message, then a force far more powerful than King Zarkon or the Drules have finally shown their presence in this galaxy, she started. As heirs to the three kingdoms of Arus, you are the only ones that can activate Marlena's greatest creation. Together, with the 5 lions that form Voltron, you will have the power needed to defeat this new force.

# Activating this new weapon requires the need of all three armlets, # she continued. # Access to the lion ship can be found under the old ... ca...Myt... #

The message then became garbled, as if something was interfering with its transmission, and the message then ended. The jewels on their armlets dimmed and finally returned to normal.

"Damn it!" Neive yelled as he shook his arm. "What's going on?"

Zeya looked around as she drew her arm back. "Something's not right," she stated.

Allura slowly nodded as she signaled for the others. Keith, Lance, Hunk and Pidge rounded the lion ships as they joined them in the center.

"Something is wrong," Allura stated.

"Did you find out where the lion is hidden?" Pidge asked.

Allura shook her head. "The message didn't finish," she stated. "Keith, can you raise the Castle?"

Keith lifted the communicator from his belt and turned it on. As he tried to contact the Castle, all he got was static.

"Something is jamming the signal," he stated. "Get to your Lions, Neive you take the Blue Lion and head back to the Castle with Allura. Then join us once you've dropped her back."

"I'll monitor the radars from Castle Control," Allura stated. "Lance, Siaras will have to stay with you for the time being."

"Zeya, you will fly with me," Keith stated. "We should hurry. We can find this lion ship later."

Everyone nodded and headed toward the Lion ships. Siaras looked back toward the Black Lion as Lance helped her into the Red Lion. She then breathed in deeply as she jumped into the cockpit and Lance closed the hatch. She then watched the view screen before her as the pilot launched to join the other ships.

# Sorry, father. #

She slowly pulled out a garrote from the pouch she wore as she quietly stood behind the seat of the Red Lion pilot.

# to be continued #