Chapter 5: Quest for the Balmera

At Zarkon's central command, Kaecilius lingered by the sacred chamber, wondering what went wrong.

Kaecilius: "I don't understand this. How could a mortal possibly be able to undercut my invincible flesh?!"

Then, he turned to a vial of Dark Quintessence and came to an epiphany.

Kaecilius: "Perhaps this strain of Dark Quintessence is not nearly perfect enough. How fortunate that I will test it soon..."

Back at the castle, Coran, Sandra, and Hunk were brought up to date in what had happened to them since their departure.

Hunk: "Wow. Jenny did all that?"

Coran: "But how could she? I thought Alphus was the only one capable of this."

Babak: "She was, until Jenny's recent coma-vision. Thanks to her, she was able to restore the crystal."

Hunk felt particularly upset.

Hunk: "Great. That means we hauled that crystal here for nothing."

Keith: "What are you talking about?"

Hunk took the opportunity to recall the events they've gone through.

Hunk: "Okay. It happened about a varga ago."

One Varga Earlier

Hunk, Coran, and Sandra were in a pod traveling towards Balmera.

Hunk: "Is this the Balmera planet with the crystals?"

Coran: "It's not a planet. Balmera are ancient animals. Petrified, but still alive."

Sandra: "Great. I'm guessing we have to pet it to get the crystals?"

Coran: "Not really. Their bodies naturally create the crystals that help power mini Altean ships. I often accompanied my grandfather to visit these majestic creatures when he was building the Castle of Lions. I'll never forget the first time I saw the sparkling surface of a Balmera. You're in for quite a treat."

Sandra: "Uh, no offense, but nothing about it is sparkling. Look."

Then, they got to the surface and saw the Galra enhancements on the Balmera.

Coran: "Oh, no. This is horrifying. The Galra have turned this into a mining colony! They're completely destroying it! They have no regard for the poor creature!"

Sandra was clearly not happy with this.

Sandra: "I'll give you one guess who's behind it."

Then, a Galra ship floated above them.

Hunk: "Uh-oh. We've been spotted."

Galra Pilot: "Hailing unidentified craft. State your ship ID, entry code, and landing destination."

Hunk grew exceptionally worried.

Hunk: "Oh, no. What do we do?"

Coran: "Just stay calm."

Then, Coran spoke into the radio.

Coran: "We don't really need to land. Uh, we're just looking around, if that's okay."

However, the pilot wasn't convinced.

Galra Pilot: "Unidentified craft, land immediately and prepare to be boarded."

Sandra saw no two ways about what they'd do next.

Sandra: "Well, that's not gonna happen."

Then, she thrusted the lever to speed up and headed toward a hole as Hunk screamed while the ship turned around. As they got close, Galra Ships started firing at them before Sandra noticed that they're closer to the hole.

Sandra: "Hunk, you better not upchuck in this pod!"

Then, she lurched downward into the hole as Hunk screamed. After a while, it seemed to go on and on until Hunk finally stopped screaming.

Hunk: "How deep is this thing?"

Sandra: "Got me."

Then, they ended up seeing catwalks as Sandra swerved to evade them, but was unsuccessful as she hit a few before impact on the ground. Then, the pod's door opened before they got out.

Sandra: "For the record, not my best landing."

Then, they noticed two creatures with yellow eyes by the cave.

Hunk: "Guys, What lives at the bottom of these mines?"

Sandra decided to play it safe.

Sandra: "Could be Galra miners. Stay back. I'm not afraid to use it on the Galra."

Then, the two figures revealed themselves to be native beings of the Balmera.

Sandra: "Wait. You're not Galra."

Unknown: "Nor are you."

Then, they looked up to see a Galra Ship descending downwards.

Sandra: "Quiznak!"

Unknown: "A patrol! Shay, we must take leave from these ones, now."

Coran: "Wait, Please! We need your help."

Sandra: "Not to say I agree, but if we get caught, they'll most likely kills us."

Hunk: "Or torture us."

Coran: "Or keep us as some sort of creepy pet to play with how they please."

Unknown: "Not our problem, Hairy Lip."

Sandra snickered at the name the Balmera gave to Coran as he spoke onward.

Unknown: "Galra see us near you and they kill both of us."

Sandra: "Exactly. The sooner you help us, the sooner that problem is taken care of."

As much as he hated to admit it, Sandra was right.

Unknown: "Vex!"

Then, the Balmerans ran to the ship.

Unknown: "Grab a side. In here. Hurry!"

Then, they dragged the ship inside the scene before the patrol could spot them.

Sandra: "Phew! Thanks for the help. I'm Sandra. Hairy Lip here is Coran."

Hunk: "I'm Hunk."

Then, the Balmerans introduced themselves.

Shay: "Shay. And this one, my brother, Rax. How did you fall to us?"

Sandra rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment.

Sandra: "Yeah, that was an accident."

Hunk: "Beside that, we came looking for something. And you guys might be able to help us find it."

Sandra: "After that, we'll get out of your... heads, I guess?"

Rax: "Good. The sooner you do, the better."

Sandra grew confused at how fast he went along with that part of the plan.

Sandra: "Agreed?"

At the surface, a Galra soldier walked in to discuss with a Galra Commander with short violet hair, blue sapphire eyes, and a goatee.

Unknown: "They say there are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true. The other is to refuse to believe what is. What one soul considers evil, another might consider righteous. Anyone who refuses to see this is found to be..."

Then, the Galra Commander reaches for his shotgun and fired it at a drone, destroying it whilst frightening the soldier.

Unknown: "...the fool."

Then, the figure behind him with a scar on his eye and a beard stepped in.

Unknown 2: "Xarnas, we've found an unidentified ship headed toward the mines."

Xarnas: "Did you now, Snide? Well, I trust you were be able to sort this debacle out?"

Then, Xarnas walked out of the room with Snide following him as the latter glared at him.

Snide: "That we have, but there's a matter to be concerned about. We saw two Paladins of Voltron."

Xarnas stopped in his place and grew intrigued.

Xarnas: "Interesting."

Back at the caves, Sandra, Coran, and Hunk sat down with Shay, Rax, and their family to eat.

Hunk: "Thanks for the delicious soup. Are those potatoes in there?"

Shay: "Grandma's special dish for special visitors. Cave-root for the skin. Cave-bugs for the soul."

That made Hunk and Coran gag a bit while Sandra shrugged her shoulders.

Sandra: "No different than the Garrison Cafeteria, then. So how many of you are down here?"

Shay's Father: "There are thousands here on Balmera. We work and live in these mines."

Shay: "We harvest crystals for Zarkon."

Sandra and Hunk glared at the very name.

Sandra: "Him again."

Hunk: "That's so sad that he's enslaved an entire planet."

Shay's Father: "Zarkon may rule, but we still have family. That's where true happiness comes from."

Sandra smiled at this, only to remember she never had that privilege.

Sandra: "Yeah. Lucky you."

Then, Rax spoke up.

Rax: "Galra would tear our family asunder if they found these ones. Everyone comes to Balmera and takes, but gives nothing in return."

Sandra grew shocked about that.

Sandra: "That's horrible. That couldn't have been that way from the start. Right?"

Shay: "In the past, those who took the Balmera's crystals would replenish her with energy. It was an equal exchange."

Sandra: "How do you know it's a she?"

Shay: "We connect ourselves with the Balmera, hear its voice. But the Galra only take. It is no wonder we can feel her suffering."

Then, as Shay places her hand on the ground, it glowed blue as it moaned. Hunk felt bad about it.

Hunk: "I'm sorry that we put everyone in this situation, but the faster we get the crystal and get out, the faster everyone is out of danger."

Coran: "We're looking for a battleship-class crystal."

Shay's Father: "Battleship-Class crystal?"

Sandra: "Yeah. You know where we can find something like that?"

Shay's Father: "Those are most rare. Galra soldiers guard them ceaselessly until their harvest."

Sandra: "So, we have to go where the most Galra occupy it?"

Shay: "Not necessarily. There is one, found only weeks ago. It is almost excavated."

Sandra: "So, is that a no?"

Rax: "Quiet! Even if they could steal from the Galra, battle patrols wait to take down their ship. These ones have no chance of getting out of here alive, with crystal or without."

Sandra was clearly not happy with him.

Sandra: "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence."

Hunk: "Okay, so this crystal we need is basically the hardest thing in the universe to get."

Coran: "I don't know about the hardest. There is the scaultrite mineral found only in the stomachs of giant Weblums. Collecting their stuff's no picnic. But, yes, this seems very difficult."

Shay: "You may stay here until Balmera gives another crystal. One that is hidden from Galra eyes."

Sandra put her foot down on that.

Sandra: "My friend doesn't have that kind of time, and neither does the Balmera! I'm not leaving without the crystal. Do you understand me?"

Rax grew surprised at Sandra's temper concerning her friends and reluctantly agreed.

Rax: "Fine. But as soon as your mission is complete, you will leave."

Sandra: "Done."

Then, she remembered her crash-landing.

Sandra: "Oh, wait. We have to repair it first."

Coran: "Hunk, you and Sandra go fix the pod. I'm going to do some reconnaissance and see if I can come up with another plan."

Sandra: "As long as you don't do those weird moves."

Coran: "I make no promises."

At the caves, Snide and Xarnas were walking through to analyze a soldier's crystals and his mining skills. Xarnas checked back with him.

Xarnas: "Any closer to finding it?"

Galra Soldier: "No, sir."

Xarnas: "Then keep working."

Snide: "Why are you sending down only one man at a time?"

Xarnas: "Do you know how unstable that mine is? I sent three down last time. Only one came back, which is two more than the time before that."

Snide: "They're disposable. That's why we have so many of them."

Then, another soldier that accompanied Snide spoke up.

Galra Soldier 2: "Yeah. Snide doesn't tolerate failure."

Snide: "Right you are. Now, say your farewells and get your pathetic behind to work. Now!"

Then, the other soldier began working while Xarnas glared at Snide.

Snide: "If you're so worried, you're more than welcome to supervise the operation."

Xarnas: "Perhaps I might."

With that, Snide walked away as Xarnas glared at Snide.

Meanwhile, Shay watched as Hunk and Sandra were repairing the pod.

Shay: "Tell me, what is the sky like?"

Sandra: "For real? Haven't you ever seen it?"

Shay: "No... but, at night, I sneak up as high as I dare, trying to imagine what it is like. Oh, lucky are you to fly in this machine to worlds far from here."

Hunk: "Well, it doesn't have to be like this. You can be free, too."

Shay: "Free?"

Sandra: "Yeah, of course. Free to be what you want, go where you want, do what you want. Basically, no Galra Masters to tell you what to do."

Shay: "It makes no sense. Zarkon controls everything."

Hunk: "Nope. No, things are changing. Have you heard of Voltron?"

Shay: "A child's tale."

Hunk: "It's real. I'm one of the Paladins and Voltron is going to defeat Zarkon."

Shay: "You are?"

Then, Rax spoke up to them.

Rax: "Stop filling this one's head with your shadow show! The cavern is our home. This will never change."

Sandra: "None of us ever said it'll change. All we're trying to do is help you."

Rax: "If you want to help, then stay away from us. Come!"

Then, Shay solemnly followed Rax as Sandra glared at him.

Meanwhile, Xarnas oversaw the drones digging the Balmera and saw a purple light emanating from it.

Galra Soldier 2: "Commander Xarnas, I've found it!"

Xarnas saw the progress he'd made and knew it was real.

Xarnas: "I knew it. Hurry!"

Then, the Galra Soldier dug it out, only for it to spark purple lightning at the soldier. However, it was thwarted by Xarnas as he pulled the soldier out of the way.

Galra Soldier 2: "Thank you, Xarnas. Snide would have—"

Xarnas: "I know all too well what Snide would have done. What he has done."

Galra Soldier 2: "I owe you my life."

Xarnas: "Well, perhaps you can repay me in some small way. Now, let's get what we came for, shall we?"

At the same moment, Rax inquired of Sandra and Hunk about a certain matter.

Rax: "Is your ship repaired that you may depart our presence?"

Sandra: "You really want us to leave, don't you?"

Rax: "Yes."

Sandra: "Okay, first off, rude. And secondly, it is, but we need the crystal. You come up with any ideas on how to get it?"

Coran: "Actually, yes."

Meanwhile, Snide critiqued the crystals' value and offered tips.

Snide: "Good. Mm-Hmm. Tighten up the space in the area so they can't move around too much to make it impossible to lift."

Then, Snide oversaw the multitude of crystals being mined as he smirked.

Snide: "A place that thrives on life and gives it to others will now create the weapons to destroy them. Ironic. Don't you think?"

The drone grew confused about the meaning of irony as it turned its head to him.

Snide: "Never mind. Just get to work."

Then, the drone walked away from Snide and went back to its post. Then, three pairs of arms grabbed it and smashed him before Sandra whispered.

Sandra: "Now what?"

Coran: "Right. Step two."

Suddenly, Hunk and Coran disguised as the guard gripped Sandra while he had trouble walking.

Hunk: "I can't believe I'm the legs again. I'm the one who took down the guard; I should get to be the head."

Coran: "Shh! Legs don't talk."

Then, Snide noticed them and spoke up.

Snide: "What's this?"

Then, the "drone" spoke to Snide.

Coran: "I, uh, found this Paladin sneaking to find some Balmera, sir."

Sandra: "Curses! Foiled again!"

Snide looked at Sandra and the drone in disbelief as they grew nervous before he smiled.

Snide: "Excellent. See that this Paladin is under lock and key. Zarkon can rest easy today. Vrepit Sa."

Then, the "drone" placed his hand against his chest as he repeated.

Coran: "Vrepit Sa, and all that."

Then, Snide walked away until he tuned a corner and they continued onward.

Sandra: "I can't believe that actually worked."

Coran: "What'd I tell you? Flawless."

Then, they stopped in front of two other drones.

Coran: "Oh, hello, gentlemen, shift's over. Boss needs you back at the guard shack."

However, the drones weren't quite easy to fool.

Drone: "Verify identification code."

Coran: "Right. I didn't want to have to do this, but I'm going to have to pull rank. You guys are in big trouble, right? So, hand over those blasters and ID badges."

Then, the droids pointed them at Sandra and the disguised Hunk and Coran.

Droid: "Verify identification code or be destroyed."

Then, Coran and Sandra were left with no choice but to take action.

Coran: "Okay, okay. I've got it right... here!"

Then, once the cape came off, Hunk and Sandra shot at the drones, destroying them. Then, they went toward the crystal. Once Coran placed his hands on it, it glowed.

Hunk: "What are you doing? We got to hurry!"

Coran: "I'm not just going to pry this out of here like some Galra monster. The Balmera is a sacred being. You have to communicate with it. Let your life forces connect. This is the way it was done in our time."

Sandra: "I see. I guess slow and steady wins this round."

Then, the ground shook a bit before the dirt moved and the crystal started falling. Coran tried to grab it and lift it, but in doing so, he fractured his back, causing him to freeze up, catching Sandra's worry.

Sandra: "What just happened?"

Coran turned his face slowly to Sandra before speaking.

Coran: "I think I'm broken."

Hunk and Sandra sighed in annoyance before Snide spoke up.

Snide: "So, Voltron Paladins! Thank you for making our excavation easier. We'll just take this off your hands."

Sandra: "As if!"

Hunk: "There's no way you're getting that crystal! We need it more than you!"

Snide: "I wasn't asking."

Then, drones from all directions surrounded them before Coran turned to them.

Coran: "Okay, guys! All right, I hate to do this. Blasters and Badges. Come on. Give them up."

Then, Coran fell to the floor before Hunk and Sabdra raised their hands as he smiled nervously while Sandra made a look of anger with her eyes closed.

Meanwhile, as Xarnas and his soldier hauled the Dark Quintessence crystal, a drone reported on Shay's activity.

Drone: "Sir, Subject Shay hasn't been seen in seen in several doboshes."

Xarnas: "Odd. She should've arrived by now."

Then, Rax spoke up.

Rax: "That's because she's taking the crystal to the skylings."

Xarnas turned to his voice and raised an eyebrow.

Rax: "I know where their ship is. I'll take you to it."

Xarnas smiled as his eyebrows lowered.

Xarnas: "Well, then. Indulge us."

Later, Sandra, Hunk, and Coran were stuck in a purple cell.

Coran: "Quiznak! I can't believe they saw through our disguise."

Sandra: "Well, we weren't exactly wearing it. It's in pieces, remember?"

Coran blinked his eyes before remembering that bit.

Coran: "Well, that explains a lot."

Then they heard footsteps as someone stepped closer.

Coran: "Someone's coming."

To their surprise, it was Shay, holding a robot arm.

Hunk/Sandra: "Shay?"

Shay placed the robot hand on the handprint, opening the gate.

Shay: "Make haste to your pod. The crystal is prepared for departure."

Coran: "How did you get the crystal?"

Shay: "I was assigned to take it to the upper levels, but instead I took it down."

Hearing this, Sandra grew worried.

Sandra: "You didn't have to do that."

Shay: "What other choice was there? Soon, they will discover my ruse. Time is short."

Hunk: "Why are you helping us? You'll get in trouble."

Shay: "Because your words touched my heart. I wish for freedom for all Balmera. Perhaps your Voltron can make it so."

Sandra still felt it was too easy.

Sandra: "I'm glad you believe in us. But I think Rax might have a different take on the matter."

Hunk: "So? Why do you care what he thinks? Let's just go."

With that, they found the pod, only to see Xarnas and his drones beside Rax.

Xarnas: "Hello, all."

Sandra: "I knew this was too easy."

Xarnas: "You must be wondering, 'how did they get here so fast?' Well, you can thank Rax for that. He's done the Galra Empire a commendable service."

Hearing this, Shay grew distraught.

Shay: "No. Rax, why?"

Rax: "These three bring only trouble to our family. It was the only way to protect you."

Xarnas: "Well, if that's your reasoning for being a tattle-tale, I'm afraid it was flawed. Obviously, you know what happens to Balmerans who can't follow orders. They receive a punishment worse than death."

As Rax was beginning to realize his mistake, Sandra was afraid it had something to do with the already decaying Balmera, even worse involving Shay, and immediately blamed Rax for it all.

Sandra: "How could you?! This is what the Galra do, Rax! You said it yourself! They take, but give nothing in return!"

Rax grew flabbergasted at how he'd forgotten it so easily, if not at Sandra's hurt temper.

Sandra: "You don't know what you've done to my friend!"

Then, Snide spoke up.

Snide: "Clearly, that's not the case, Voltron Paladin."

Then, they turned behind to see Snide and his drones in possession of the crystal.

Snide: "Your friend's in desperate need for recuperation, I take it? Well, I suppose, she should've said her prayers, because she's not going to get better."

Hunk and Sandra prepared their bayards before Shay stopped them.

Shay: "No! The Balmera will save us."

Then, Shay placed her hand onto the ground, causing it to glow blue as it shook, much to Snide's confusion and Rax's horror.

Snide: "What's that noise?"

Rax: "Shay, no!"

Then, as a result of its shaking, the rocks came down on the drones from both sides as Hunk, Sandra, Shay, and Coran made a break for the pod. The drones shot at them, only to miss, with Hunk using his shield and sidestepping the laser. However, Xarnas got out his shotgun and fired a purple lasso at Shay before wrapping her up and electrocuting her as he pulled her in.

Hunk/Sandra: "Shay!"

Hunk: "Let her go!"

Xarnas: "And let my bargaining chip go to waste? You're not thinking at all."

Despite the painful shock, Shay spoke proudly to the Paladins.

Shay: "Go! Make haste!"

Sandra, however, was focused on vengeful retaliation after what Rax had done. Sandra readied her bayard into a rifle and didn't hesitate to Target him with her finger in the trigger.

Sandra: "That's it, Rax! YOU'RE DONE!"

Coran: "No, Sandra! We have to go!"

Snide: "Listen to your elder. He speaks wisely."

Hunk whimpered as another Galra ship landed.

Sandra: "He needs to pay for what he's done! For all we know, he's the Galra, for all I care!"

Hearing this, Shay spoke up.

Shay: "N-No! Please, don't! Rax doesn't know what he's done!"

Sandra: "And he never will."

Then, Sandra pulled the trigger, but it wasn't at Rax. It was at the bands holding Shay, freeing her. Then, she fired another blast at Xarnas, hitting him in the shoulder as he fell. As Shay ran off, Snide ordered his soldiers.

Snide: "Forget the Balmeran. Bring that pod down!"

Then, the drones took fire at the pod before Sandra fired above the drones, a look of anger on her face as thevricks fell in the drones and trapped Snide in a cave. After that, Sandra turned to Rax.

Sandra: "I will never forgive you for what you've done to the Balmera, Rax. Ever."

Then, Hunk took the opportunity to call out for her as she ran off.

Hunk: "I'll come back for you, Shay! I promise!"

Then, the pod door closed as they hovered in the air.

Coran: "If we can't shake these patrols, we might be back here sooner than we want!"

Then, just before the pod took off, Xarnas looked up and saw it's business end pointing at him before it darted, blowing him away before he landed on the ground with his hands and feet. He proceeded to smash his fist into the Balmera in frustration.

Meanwhile, Hunk, Sandra, and Coran dodged the Galra ships as they flew upward avoiding catwalks.

Coran: "We can't shake them! We're not going to make it!"

However, Sandra saw a thruster button and had an idea.

Sandra: "What about the booster?"

Coran: "Uh, it may turn us into a giant fireball."

Hunk: "Maybe, but it's our only chance."

Then, they saw more Galra ships flying towards them from the surface.

Sandra: "Ate you in or out?"

Coran: "Fine. Fire in the hole!"

Sandra: "Hopefully, not literally."

Then, Sandra pushed the button, causing the pod to take off in a much faster speed. With Sandra, Hunk, and Coran stuck on their seats appearing as if they'd gone through warp speed, they watched as they got close to the Galra ships. Then, they blasted through the hole in a fiery inferno before flying away from the Balmera.

Hunk: "Whoo-hoo! We did it!"

Later in the ship, Hunk noticed Sandra's shaking fist.

Sandra: "It was all his fault. He had to be the reason they're here in the first place."

Then, she slammed her fist onto the pod's controls, worrying Coran.

Sandra: "I should've shot him dead when I had the chance!"

Hunk could tell she was extremely upset and tried to comfort her.

Hunk: "Yeah. I know how you're feeling. I kinda hate the guy now, too."

Coran: "Yes, but that's not a way a Paladin acts. They do, they'll instantly be seen as the very enemy they're trying to stop. You are strong for the choice you made, Sandra."

Sandra felt a little better from Coran's words.

Sandra: "Thanks, Coran. But just let me make one thing clear. Next time I see Rax, he's not going to hear the end of it."

Back to the Present

Keith: "So, the Balmera's suffering because of the Galra?"

Sandra: "Worse. Because of Rax."

Hunk and Coran groaned in annoyance.

Hunk: "Seriously. Let it go."

Shiro: "Well, whoever's responsible, we have to get to the Balmera and give them their freedom back."

Zaltron: "The Balmera is a sacred creature of this universe. It must not be defiled, even by my own race."

Belle: "Then it's settled. Once everyone's ready, we set sail for the Balmera."

At Zarkon's Central Command, Vaxel appeared before Kaecilius in anger.

Kaecilius: "What do you want, Vaxel?"

Vaxel: "What do you think?! I demand POWER!"

Kaecilius, unfazed by his angry shout, spoke to him.

Kaecilius: "And as it happens, I've found a way to reciprocate it."

Then, he showed Vaxel a vial of Dark Quintessence and handed it to him.

Kaecilius: "It'll go to your new armor once it's finished. I trust you will use it wisely."

Vaxel gave a menacing grin in response.