Chapter 38

A/N: once again folks, I just own this story and my OCs, nothing else is mine. And remember this is fanfiction so I can change what I want to make it my own. Isn't that why we all write/read this stuff in the first place?

Bold is intercoms

/comms/

Flashbacks, dreams, telepathy (you know, the mental stuff)

Pidge, Matt and Sam stood with Ryner as they watched the construction of one of the defensive weapons. "Part of me misses my people's exile in the forest, but since Olkarion became the hub for refugees in this quadrant, it made sense that we should return to the city and turn it into the Coalition's capital."

"So much has changed so fast," Sam said admiring the work.

"For the better," Katie grinned.

"Yeah, well, Zarkon might be dead, but that doesn't mean we're done with this war yet," Matt reminded.

"That's why the Olkari are grateful Voltron is here until the defense systems are fully operational," Ryner stated. "I fear tumultuous times are upon us."

"Hey Ryner, I have a question," Pidge said, "have you ever heard of a Guardian?" She pulled up a photo she managed to snap of the mysterious person.

"By Lubos," she gasped. "I thought there were wiped out decapheobs ago! I can't believe you actually saw one."

"What are they?" Matt asked.

"The Guardians were a legion of warriors of many races, each carrying the unique ability to manipulate quintessence unlike anything else ever seen."

"So…like Druids?" Matt questioned raising an eyebrow.

Ryner chuckled. "From what I know from the legends, Guardians are more powerful; they can manipulate quintessence into solid weapons and were even said to be immortal. I remember hearing the tales of the mighty Hunters racing through the shadows and conquering the destroyers of life with their quintessence bows and arrows. However, I'm not an expert I would recommend asking an artifact broker or even perhaps Lotor."

"You know, I met a few at the Garrison," Sam commented.

"You what?!"

"Yes, the Awoken and Earth worked quite closely with them. However, the public was not aware of this close connection," he informed. "They're powerful, but friendly—at least the Fireteam I met were at least. However, let me say, if they didn't like you, you were sure to know. This one Guardian reprogrammed Iverson's computer to do nothing but yodel. We had to get him a new one."

"They were responsible for the yodeling computer?!" Matt laughed. "By God, Shiro and I switched that computer with Iverson's so many times I think if we did it one more time he would've had an aneurism!"

"Please, that was programmer initiation when I went to the Garrison!" Pidge exclaimed almost doubling over. "My class made everything of Iverson's yodel for a month!"

"I'm so proud of you," Matt gushed.

"Though," Sam spoke up again, "if you really want to know about them I'd ask Jaz and Darvah."

The siblings glanced between each other in confusion. "Why them?"

"Well, the Awoken had been working with the Guardians for a long time, Jaz's mother is actually in charge of maintaining correspondence with them and many of Darvah's people have gone to war against them. Though, I do know one of their best childhood friends is a Guardian, same as his father—the Captain of the Fireteam I told you about. You know, he actually enrolled in the Garrison. Boy did that kid have a temper."

Pidge opened her mouth to ask more about this when her comms went off, /Pidge! C'mon we have a meeting at the Castle!/ Lance's voice broke through and the Green Paladin groaned. So much for more answers.

"I'll talking to you guys more later!"

Cursing her short limbs as she sprinted up she caught up with the others as they started entering an elevator to reach the bridge.

"Wait! Wait for me," she panted skidding in as Hunk held the door open.

"So how's your father?" Shiro asked.

"Oh, he's doing pretty good," she replied. "He's very excited to learn about Olkari tech."

"That's great," Shiro smiled looking relieved that her dad seemed to be doing alright.

"…Hey, Shiro?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you ever know about the Guardians?"

Dark brows furrowed and he looked at her perplexed. "No, why?"

"Dad, he told me he knew some, even said there was one at the Garrison," she stated and his brows shot up.

"What?!" Lance exclaimed.

Hunk interrupted before Lance could ask further, "If there really was one of these guys at the Garrison, do you think he knew? About all of this?"

"Who knows, from all the stories we're hearing it sounds like they have a lot of enemies," Shiro replied souding unsure himself.

"Well, Dad said to ask Jaz and Darvah," she informed. "He told me Jaz's mother works closely with them and that they even had a childhood friend who's a Guardian."

The elevator pinged as they reached their destination, effectively ending their current conversation. They walked out going to the bridge only to stop as the doors opened and they saw Lotor sitting there.

"Look, it's Prince Lotor just hangin' out on the bridge," Lance muttered.

"Guess this is a thing that's happening," Katie said.

"I suppose we'll just have to get used to it," Coran shrugged, "like my Zarbloovian intestinal eel."

A screech came from his stomach causing the Red and Green Paladins to take a step away.

Shiro walked forwards and stood across from Lotor. "What's going on?"

"The death of my father has created a power vacuum within the Galra Empire, soon the most formidable Galra leaders will be gathering for what's known as the Kral Zera at somepoint in the next two days to decide who will take the throne," Lotor explained. "We must be there."

"You want us to fly you into the middle of a meeting with all of the most powerful Galra leaders?" Lance questioned.

"Can't believe I'm saying it, but I'm with Lance," Jaz scoffed. "How do we know this isn't a trap?"

"We don't," Darvah growled.

"Lotor, we appreciate all that you've sacrificed, but this sounds far too dangerous," Allura agreed.

"We've been in more dangerous situations with less to go on and much less to gain," Shiro pointed out. "Putting Lotor on the Galran throne is what we've been discussing."

"But no one told us that'd mean flying into a war zone," Pidge added.

"We can't plan an operation this important this quickly," Allura frowned.

"We don't exactly have a choice," Shiro stated.

"I agree with Allura, we need time to think this over," Lance agreed.

"This isn't your call Lance." Shiro looked away from Lance back to Allura, "The Coalition wouldn't be where it was now without Lotor, we need to listen to him."

"Well, I'm with Allura too," Pidge agreed. "This is too dangerous to pull off at the last minute."

"Agreed," Coran nodded.

"This isn't a vote, I'm the leader of Voltron, I'm making the decision," Shiro almost growled.

"Like when you armed Lotor with your bayard without consulting us?" Allura hissed.

"That's right! Making that decision resulted in Zarkon's death," Shiro stated.

"Shiro we kinda had help," Pidge reminded adjusting her glasses. "How do we know it would've working if that Guardian hadn't shown up?!"

"It doesn't matter! Zarkon's reign has been ended and I say we finish the job!"

"Shiro! This has all the hallmarks of a trap! Can't you see that?" Darvah pointed out.

"And can't you see we're going to squander a great opportunity?!" he snapped whirling on the Eliksni.

Lance stepped forwards to separate them. "Shiro, we're all on the same side here."

"I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUTTA THIS!" Shiro snapped, causing the Red Paladin to take a couple steps back in shock.

"While you all waste time squabbling, sinister forces are conspiring to fill the Galra power void," Lotor interjected. "If I do not return to claim the throne there's no telling who will."

"Then it's settled," Shiro said. "if this Kral Zera is happening we need to put Lotor on the throne immediately. Our hands are tied, the Kral Zera's happening. If we want to stop the Galra we need to put Lotor on the throne immediately."

"Takashi," Jaz said. Getting up from where she'd been leaning against one of the chairs, she strode over stopping only when an arm's length away from the Black Paladin. "This is a team, not a dictatorship. Everyone's opinions on the situation at hand matters. And the majority has made its vote that this is too risky. So stop your whining," her gaze flickered to Lotor, "both of you. There's more than one way to skin a cat."

Shiro started to protest again when the alarms went off, making everyone scramble to their stations. "Ryner hailing Castle of Lions."

"Ryner, what was that?"

"A meteor-like object struck the forest outside the city. We're detecting high-levels of an unknown toxin emanating from the impact site."

"I'll check it out," Shiro volunteered quickly leaving the room.

Katie adjusted her glasses as she turned to Lotor. "So Lotor, on a change of subject, I have a question and I was told you might be the best person to ask about it."

The Galtean's eyes widened in surprise as he turned to her. "Well…whatever it is, I will try to answer the best as I can."

"What exactly is a Guardian?" she asked and all eyes turned to him in curiosity.

The prince seemed shocked. "You mean…you've never heard of them?" he questioned.

"Well, we've heard of them, but everything we've gotten his rumor and speculation," she replied. "I asked Ryner and she told me that they were a legion of warriors of many races who could manipulate quintessence. Dad actually told me they had a close alliance with Earth and the Awoken, said he even met a few. They were responsible for the yodeling computer."

"Ah, the memories," Darvah smiled.

Lotor raised an eyebrow. "That's pretty much the basics, from what we gathered Guardians appeared five to six thousand years ago, and they serve an ancient being known as the Traveler, whose sole purpose is to destroy the darkness plaguing the universe. They were known for their prowess on the battlefield; their abilities in trade, engineering, science, space-travel; and they were most certainly terrifying bounty-hunters and assassins. They could also speak numerous languages, their home city alone frequently spoke in at least seven different languages"

"So…they're like the Jedi?" Hunk asked and the prince looked at him in confusion. "They basically use their powers to bring balance to the universe and fight for good…minus the whole bounty-hunter/assassin thing."

"Essentially. Guardians are also immortal, believe it or not, I've seen one get crushed to death then a moment later he was walking around like everything was just dandy."

"So what kinds of things do they fight?" Lance asked.

"They primarily handle the Fallen, Vex, Cabal Empire, and the Hive," Lotor informed.

"That's a lotta enemies," Lance remarked.

"You're not wrong, the Guardians have no shortage of enemies that want to kill them."

"Wait…Vex," Allura repeated tapping her chin, "I want to say I heard Keith mention those once."

"And wait, alliance with the Awoken?" Hunk said and all eyes turned to Jaz and Darvah.

"Dad said you two were best friends with one?" Katie said and she didn't fail to notice that they glanced at each other.

"That is absolutely none of your business," Jaz hissed.

"I disagree, it sounds like these guys could be pretty helpful to our cause," Allura said.

"Guardians are better for close quarters, on the ground combat," Darvah replied. "Besides, they have bigger fish to fry than Galra."

"What about the one we saw?" Pidge pressed.

"Probably just after the bounty Zarkon had on his head," Darvah stated crossing two of his arms. "Killing emperors pays a lot."

Lance raised his hand, "Am I the only one wondering how he knew where to find us?"

"There is something I wish to know as well, why did Keith know of the Vex when you all did not?" Allura questioned leaning her elbows onto her knees.

"Keith's dad worked with my mom, meaning he knows about all of this Guardian stuff," Jaz grumbled crossing her arms.

"Do you think he knows who that one we saw is? Or the one at our school?" Pidge pressed.

"Maybe, but I'd doubt he'd tell."

"Not that I blame him with the way Guardians were being hunted down and slaughtered," Darvah shivered.

Everyone's mouths snapped shut. Slaughtered, that's what was happening to them. No wonder the Guardian they saw had something to change his voice, so he couldn't be identified by it, not to mention they never saw his face, and his ship was so stealthy! Pidge could only wonder what kind of tech it had aboard to make it that quiet.

She sighed, as everyone began to disperse from the bridge, this was a lot to process. And for some reason, Katie knew there were pieces to the puzzle that she was still missing. But for now, against her curious nature, she yielded.

Walking towards the hangar she opened a channel to call Matt and her father, now would be the perfect time to give them a tour. And attempt to pry more answers out of her father.

-.-

Jaz rubbed her forehead. She lied, she blatantly lied to her team (minus Darv). The guilt was churning in her stomach, wanting to purge itself and explain everything. But she couldn't, because that would mean betraying Keith.

If he wanted the others to know, he would've told them. Pit, she knew he wanted to tell them, and would have already if it weren't for his fears. She used to find them irrational, but now…Jaz could admit, Keith had a point, enemies both new and old would have been after them.

And that was what worried her now. The Galra were likely already aware of who Keith was, and now everyone else was dangerously close to connecting all the dots. Quiznak! They'd been doing so well on keeping their secret too!

Jaz got up and began pacing the floor of her room. There had to be a way outta this, some way to distract Pidge or make her forget it altogether. The more her team learned about Guardians, the more they would want to know about their enemies. And that would damn them to a hole they would never crawl out of both figuratively and literally.

The Paladins, they didn't have special powers. They couldn't do magic like she could, they couldn't teleport at will or turn any piece of technology into a weapon like Darvah, they couldn't manipulate quintessence or revive like Keith could. No, they would be slaughtered before they even reached the first major fight of a mission.

Jaz could see it, Pidge would be first. She was too curious for her own good. It would be likely that she would try to inspect something that she shouldn't, or her spade would be caught and she'd be dragged over to her death. The electricity attacks barely making a dent in the larger attackers as they tore the feisty girl apart.

Shiro would be second. He was phenomenal in combat, but unfortunately it was close combat. Distance attackers closing in from all sides would destroy him, as would enemies that could heal themselves and teleport. But what would really kill him, would be his protective nature. Likely in an effort to protect the girl he viewed as a little sister, Shiro would rush over, getting himself killed in vain to save her.

Allura would likely be next. The enemy would see her as a threat. She was strong, she could use magic, she could manipulate quintessence, but Jaz had yet to see her weaponize it. That fact, would be her downfall. With only a whip as her defense, all of Allura's light would be sucked out of her until she was nothing but a withered husk as more powerful magic users and distance attackers converged on her.

After that would be the sweetest member of the team, Hunk. He had a cannon, which would protect him from a distance and could possibly take down larger enemies, but he was no match for a sniper. Or worse, he would be distraught by the deaths of their friends, leaving him open to be attacked by something much bigger than he would be emotionally prepared to handle. Jaz clenched her fists, clearly imagining the tears streaming down his face as he pleaded fruitlessly for the monsters to spare them all before he too perished violently.

Lance…Lance would be the last person to die. While off the field he could be a goof, on the field Jaz would admit he had matured and become better. He was an excellent sniper, making him difficult prey to attack. But, unless Lance learned how to fight magic and multiple enemies in close combat, he would die when they found him. And Jaz sadly knew, the Red Paladin would blame himself for the deaths of his friends. Lance would go to the grave with guilt he had no right to bear.

Falling to her knees, she put her head in her hands, they were all just quiznaking kids! They didn't need the weight of the universe on their shoulders! They should be at home, safe with their loved ones enjoying their childhoods. Instead, they were out here, far from home with a high chance that they might never get to see it again.

Wiping her tears, Jaz slammed her fist on the ground. No, as long as she was still breathing she would protect them. She would keep the true darkness festering in the universe from corrupting and harming her friends. She would keep them focused on the Galra, and once they were done, would lead them away, back to Earth where they never would have to deal with this ever again.

Jazmyne Raven Venj would make it happen, one way or another.

Hearing the alarms go off she got up and raced towards the bridge.

-.-

"What's happening?!" Jaz called running up to Coran, Darvah, Sam, and Matt in tow.

"The forest appears to have come alive and is attacking the city."

"Well, that's a first."

"Where are the lions?" Sam asked.

"I've already sent them to assist Shiro. He's battling something in the forest."

"So, we're on our own, fantastic."

/Ryner, what is it we're looking at here?/ Pidge questioned sending an image to both the Olkari and the Castle.

/I don't believe it, it looks like one of our tree mechs!/

/It must have something to do with whatever's emanating from the impact site/

/It appears to be some sort of invasive plasma/ Pidge noted, /Coran, have the others analyze the data I'm sending/

"On it," he replied pulling up the data and stepping aside to let Darvah, Sam, and Matt through.

"Well, she's right about it being some sort of invasice plasma," Matt muttered.

"I've never seen anything like this," Sam muttered.

Narrowing his eyes, Darvah zoomed in, "Reminds me of the SIVA virus, it can intergrate with both technology and organic matter, programming it to suit its own needs."

"It's like a computer virus," Matt added. "That plasma substance looks like some sort of self-replicating organic wetware, which creates an expanding system."

"Giving it the ability to interface with both technology and nature like how the Olkari do," Darvah finished as they high-fived.

/It's like a computer and a virus rolled into one/ Pidge said.

/Ryner, is the ion cannon operational?/ Shiro called.

/No, it's still not finished. At best it can manage one shot/

/Then make it count, cause that thing's headed your way!/

All heads turned to the window, and they watched as the cannon began to power up. energy began to build up at the center as it prepared to fire, only for it to fizzle out as whatever was affecting everything else reached it.

/No! The ion cannon! All of our systems, they've been compromised!/

/Jaz!/ Shiro called. /Do what you can to stop that thing! We'll try to break out to help!/

"Quiznak! Now Voltron's offline!" Coran cursed.

"If it's like a computer, there must be a way to hack into it and shut it down," Sam realized.

"You guys figure that out, I'll buy you time!" Jaz called sprinting out of the bridge. Skipping steps on her way down, she stopped by her room, grabbing a short sword she managed to smuggle from the Castle's armory. Escaping the Castle Jaz haulted in her tracks trying to figure out where her target was. The best way to do that would be to get higher.

Running out of the protection of the particle barrier, she sprinted for the nearest building. Fortunately, this attack gave her the perfect way to climb up to the roof; grabbing onto the vines, she began climbing, only stopping to reaffirm her grip when one of the vines she held onto slipped.

It didn't take her too long to reach the top, nor did it take long to find her target. It was hard to miss. The mecha rolled towards the city, likely heading to take out the biggest threat: the ion cannon.

Stretching out her hands, she made the familiar motion of the line, forming the attack spheres and thrust them forwards. The orbs wove through the buildings, heading straight for their target.

The first two caught the thing off guard, sending it rolling and screeching to a hault. The third one it, sending it rolling again, but this time it landed right-side up. Powering up its cannon, the robeast fired, oblitering her last two orbs.

Gritting her teeth as its cannon began charging, Jaz prepared her latest spell, the same one she used to destroy Zarkon's ship during the exchange. The small ball of energy burst to life in her hands, firing a column of white-hot fire towards the attacking mecha.

The opposing blasts met with equal force, and Jaz could feel her feet slightly slide back from the shockwave. Sweat was already building on her brow as she continued to maintain her assault. Sooner or later, one of them was going to give.

Hopefully it wasn't her.

-.-

"I'm trying to interface with the vines to stop their growth," Ryner explained as the trio joined her, "but I can't communicate with the nano-cellulose."

"We don't need to stop it, we just need to reroute it," Matt stated and the Olkari leader nodded.

"Grab a headpiece, show me."

An explosion shook the building and they all looked out to see two massive columns of energy, one violet one light blue, collide violently shoving against each other in a stalemate.

"That must be Jaz. We need to hurry." Darvah ran over, coming back with three headpieces and handing them out. Everyone put them on, and they put a hand on the plants.

"Follow my lead," Matt said.

All focusing, they carefully began reprogramming the virus, rerouting it towards the ion cannon. Not to stop it, but to charge it.

"It's working!" Ryner called and they all focused harder. "Ion cannon at thirty percent…seventy percent. Target acquired. Ninety-five percent, preparing to fire."

They could all feel a charge in the air, but didn't stop their efforts until they heard the blast.

"Galra ship, down! Voltron's out of the tractor beam!"

-.-

Jaz's knee slammed into the ground as she struggled to maintain the stalemate. She wasn't sure how much longer she could maintain this spell, but she couldn't give up. She had to keep fighting, for her friends, her family. If that thing got loose, then all of the sacrifices they made would be for nothing.

With renewed vigor, Jaz screamed as she forced herself back up and everything erupted into white light.

-.-

"Holy cow," Lance breathed as he watched a torrent of white energy rip the robeast apart. "Was that the ion cannon?"

/No, it came from a different direction than the cannon/ Pidge replied sounding confused.

/Maybe it was Coran and the Castle?/ Hunk suggested.

/No/ Shiro spoke quietly. /I've only seen that much power once before. It's Jaz/