Chapter 6: Taking Flight

At the castle, Jenny and Lance were smiling as they slept by each other in stasis as Hunk grew confused.

Hunk: "I can't tell if they look healthy or not."

Babak: "Neither can I. Those pods were only meant to hold one at a time."

Pidge: "I think he's breathing weird."

Keith was getting impatient and tried to press it to deactivate it.

Keith: "Oh, come on!"

However, Allura stopped him.

Allura: "Not yet! A few more ticks."

Keith: "How much better do you think they're gonna get in a few ticks?"

Pidge: "And what exactly is a tick?"

Allura: "You know, a time slice."

Lapis: "From what Shiro told me, it's known as seconds in his world."

Allura: "What is a 'second?'"

Then, Pidge got out a timer and showed it to Allura.

Pidge: "Like this."

As the clock is ticking, Allura felt unsure.

Allura: "I'm not sure. I think ticks are bigger. Coran, do we have a ticker?"

Coran: "Right here, Princess."

Then, Coran got out the ticket and watched as it counted slightly slower.

Hunk: "I think ticks are a little slower."

Lapis: "Uh, yeah. Allura just said that."

Pidge: "I can't tell. We have to start them at the same time."

Coran: "Okay. Ready, go!"

Then, Pidge and Coran started their timers at the same time, with the theory that ticks are longer proven to be correct as Lapis, Keith, Sandra, and Belle joined in to watch with Shiro trying to see the timers.

Hunk: "Yes! I think we're winning."

As they talked, Zaltron, Babak, and Azix noticed the pod opening with Jenny and Lance waking up.

Keith: "Winning what? The intergalactic time-measuring competition?"

Hunk: "Yes."

Then, as Zaltron held onto Jenny while Azix held onto Lance, the former spoke up.

Zaltron: "They have awakened from their pod."

Hunk: "Wow. Even when you ruin it, I can't help but think that voice is super cool."

At that time, Hunk has finally noticed that Jenny and Lance were awake as she giggled.

Hunk: "Hey, guys!"

Then, he hugged Jenny and Lance as they grunted before he loosened the grip.

Jenny: "How long ago were we out?"

Allura: "We can tell you all about it while you get something to eat. Are you able to walk?"

Lance: "Yeah, but I'm still a little woozy."

Jenny: "That's okay. I'll carry your shoulder."

Lapis giggled at their moment before responding.

Lapis: "Yep. They're okay."

Pidge: "Yep. There she is."

Keith: "Classic."

Later, at the table, Jenny and Lance were sitting beside each other as one of the mice squeaked.

Zaltron: "Were it not for Azix's assistance, Jenny would've been made victim to a fate worse than death."

Pidge: "Well, she wouldn't have been able to use those powers if you didn't help reverse-engineer the Dark Quintessence."

Jenny: "Wow. I gotta say thanks, everybody, for working so hard to keep me alive. Sounds like Lapis and Pidge did more than Keith, though."

Keith felt hurt by that.

Keith: "I punched Varek!"

Lance: "Yeah, when she was trying to fight off the Dark Quintessence that was poisoning her."

Lapis: "Touché."

Lance: "So, what happened to Kaecilius, Haxxus, and Sendak?"

Allura: "Kaecilius escaped Zaltron, but Haxxus and Sendak are frozen in a cryo-pod. We're keeping them here in the Castle."

Lapis immediately felt offended.

Lapis: "What? Why?!"

Allura: "I agree that wasn't my first call, but they're too dangerous to be set free. Besides, we might be able to get some information about Kaecilius and/or Zarkon from them."

Lance: "So, what's the plan now?"

Jenny: "I heard the word Balmera when I was still fighting it off. I think we should get as much of those crystals as we are allowed in case something like that happens again."

Hunk: "Well, that's a good idea, but aren't you able to do that with your powers, or whatever?"

Jenny: "Well, yeah, kinda. But it takes a lot out of me. I mean, who knows what'll happen the next time I try?"

Hunk: "Oh. Right. You are onto something, though. We're going back there alright, but it's to save Shay and her people."

Jenny and Lance knew it meant one thing.

Lance: "Wow! You are really hung up on this lady."

Jenny: "Sounds like you've really got it bad for her."

Hunk: "No, it's not like that. Look, guys, when you see how Zarkon has treated these people and destroyed their home— they've been under his thumb for so long, they don't even know what it is to be free. It's up to us to set this right. This is what being a Paladin of Voltron is all about. It's time to man up."

Jenny: "Well, in case you haven't noticed, not all of us can exactly 'man up'."

Hunk: "Well, you know what I mean!"

Pidge grew uneasy about it as Shiro spoke up.

Shiro: "Then let's get moving. Time to go defend the universe."

Then, Pidge decided to speak up.

Pidge: "Wait, I have something to say first. I need to come clean. And I'm afraid this may change the way you all think about me. Just so there are no secrets between us anymore, I can't 'man up.' I'm a girl. I mean, I can 'man up' because that's just a figure of speech. I don't have to actually be a man to 'man up.' I just have to be tough. But what I'm saying—"

Then, the stunted Lance broke his silence.

Lance: "Wha...?! You're a girl?! How?!"

Allura: "I've known for some time, but I'm glad you've shared it with everyone."

Hunk: "Yeah, I figured."

Keith: "Oh, yeah, me too."

Sandra: "Me three."

Lapis: "Me four."

Babak: "Me five."

Azix: "It was not so hard to notice."

Coran: "Wait, we were supposed to think you were a boy?"

Jenny: "Well, I'm glad that's out in the open. Now, maybe, I won't get so exhausted trying to keep it a secret."

Belle: "That's a good first step, Pidge."

Shiro: "Pidge, owning who you are is going to make you a better Paladin."

Pidge sighed in relief.

Pidge: "It's good to get that off my chest. Now, let's launch this Castle-ship!"

Lance grew shocked about this.

Lance: "Wait, what? Pidge is a girl and the Castle is a ship?"

Jenny: "Uh, yeah. What'd you think, we'd leave Arus on pods? Besides, my grandpop said so, remember?"

Lance: "Oh, yeah. I think I'm still recovering from that bombshell."

Jenny giggled at his dumbfoundedness.

Later, Allura stood at the center of the hangar as it glowed on her and showed three holographic panels in front of her while Keith and the others watched as five chairs each pertaining to their color rose up before two podiums for Allura's hands rose before she placed her hands on them.

Allura: "Activate interlock."

Coran: "Dynotherms connected."

Babak: "Mega-thrusters are go."

Outside, the Castle of Lions glowed bright blue before Coran spoke up.

Coran: "We are ready to depart Planet Arus on your mark, Princess."

Just then, the monitors turned on and revealed the sky of Arus.

Allura: "Firing main engines for launch."

Then, the Castle started shaking as it broke the ground that was holding it back and took off like a rocket as the Arusians watched the rocket take off from its atmosphere.

Meanwhile, at Kaecilius' lair, Vaxel beheld a metal armor with sharp teeth and robotic eyes with a round-ended sword to boot. Then, Vaxel turned to Kaecilius before he spoke.

Vaxel: "So, this armor will eradicate Voltron?"

Kaecilius: "Assuming you survive the process."

Vaxel smiled at him as he set foot in the container in front of it, its wires connected to the armor.

Vaxel: "Why, I find your lack of faith disturbing."

Then, Vaxel sat back as the container closed itself as Kaecilius pulled his hands back. Then, he grunted as he thrusted it toward Vaxel, who yelled out as his Quintessence got sent into the armor.

Then, Vaxel felt a dizzying sensation before turning to see two Alteans, one of which is wearing red armor, and a Galra in a lab on a familiar planet. Inside the jar that resides in said lab it was the Dark Quintessence in its primal state that squiggled around as if it was alive. As it did, one Altean spoke to another.

Altean 1: "I thought we discussed this. We must exercise caution. We have no idea what is out there."

Altean 2: "The ancients thought that lightning was shot from the bows of the gods until science proved otherwise. We always push into dangerous territory in pursuit of knowledge."

Then, the Dark Quintessence screeched, causing Vaxel to snap back to reality.

The moment he came to, he slumped to the floor as he panted. When he looked up, he saw Kaecilius, as well as his old body. That was more than enough indication that Vaxel's consciousness now resided in the new armor. He then relayed what he'd witnessed during the process to Kaecilius

Vaxel: "There were mortals... tampering with Dark Quintessence... in pursuit of knowledge..."

As Vaxel hissed at that last word, Kaecilius explained what event that was.

Kaecilius: "A sin that has destroyed Daibazaal long ago. Soon, the Paladins and Voltron will receive that same judgment."

Vaxel: "No. They will not receive the same judgment as Daibazaal. Their judgment... is death."

Later, Kaecilius and Prorok, a Galra Commander, were called to meet with Zarkon.

Prorok: "Sire, if capturing Voltron is the Empire's number-one priority, then I suggest we begin moving the main fleet toward its last known location posthaste."

Kaecilius: "No point. They'll have no doubt left Arus by then."

Haggar, however, had other plans.

Witch Haggar: "Lord, after many years, the Komar experiment is finally ready. Soon, we could have more Quintessence at our fingertips than ever imagined. We must test it before moving the fleet."

Prorok: "We don't have time for any more of your magic. We must move our ships now."

Witch Haggar: "Voltron is the most powerful weapon ever created. His puny ships will never be up to the task. We must be well prepared for our next encounter."

Kaecilius: "Why even bother with Voltron at all? It wouldn't have existed were it not for Alfor's arrogance."

At this statement, Zarkon slammed his claws into the throne, causing an echo that told them to be silent.

Zarkon: "I know better than anyone the power of Voltron, as well as what it proves. Haggar has my trust. We will perform her test."

Kaecilius felt it to be bittersweet at this point. He was happy that they're focusing on a task other than Voltron, yet he hated that they'll focus on it anyway once they've finished.

Later, Prorok talked with Kaecilius and Thace.

Prorok: "The witch has his ear."

Kaecilius: "And for good reason. Both of them possess powers you can't comprehend, as do I and my Drule Army."

Prorok: "Don't be so smug just because you have all the power, Kaecilius."

Kaecilius growled at Prorok before he spoke.

Prorok: "Thace, keep sending our offer out to any scum between Planet Arus and Balmera X-95-Vox. I'll capture Voltron on my own."

Kaecilius: "Better yet, you could leave that task to my friend here..."

Then, Prorok turned behind him where Kaecilius pointed to see Vaxel in his new Robeast armor walking toward them.

Prorok: "C-Commander Vaxel! I didn't expect you to..."

Suddenly, Vaxel extended a black and purple whip from the top of his right arm and snatched Prorok before gripping him by the armor.

Vaxel: "No more words. Remain in your position. I have matters I must attend to."

Then, Vaxel chucked Prorok to the floor as he walked away.

Meanwhile, the Paladins were flying towards the path to the Balmera.

Hunk: "Okay, so, when we get there, what do you think? Do we just roll up and, like, start blasting? Or do we have some kind of public address system, like, 'Attention, Galras, this is Voltron. Turn yourselves in'?"

Hunk looked left to right for everyone's response before he spoke again as no one else talked.

Hunk: "No. Blasting, right?"

Keith: "Hunk, calm down. And, yes, blasting."

Shiro: "It's our first big rescue mission. He's excited."

Then, Pidge and Jenny joined in.

Pidge: "Excited to see his new girlfriend."

Jenny: "Yeah! You're so into her!"

Hunk was caught off guard and defended himself.

Hunk: "She's not my girlfriend! She's just a rock that I met and I admire very much."

Just then, the alarm blared.

Shiro: "What is it? Are we being attacked?"

Coran: "No, it seems to be a distress beacon."

Lapis: "From where?"

Allura: "It's coming from a nearby moon. Apparently, a ship has lost power."

Pidge: "I wonder who it is."

Sandra and Hunk were impatient.

Sandra: "Whoever it is will have to wait."

Hunk: "Shay has first priority. We can check back on them when we're done."

Sandra heard this and grew strangely infatuated with his fixation on Shay.

Sandra: "Wow. You really are obsessed with her."

Hunk: "I'm not obsessed! I'm just... concerned is all."

Allura: "The Paladin Code states that we must help all those in need."

Belle: "So that means whether you like it or not, we have to go by the book."

Jenny was all the more excited about it.

Jenny: "Cool! This is like some sort of Space Cop show I saw once!"

Lance: "Coran, do we have a siren we can turn on?"

Coran: "Uh, no, but we could record you making a siren noise and broadcast that to them."

Lance grew happy about that.

Lance: "Perfect!"

Just as Lance tried to imitate a siren, Jenny placed her hand over his mouth before speaking.

Jenny: "Nope! Sorry, Lance, but you're not exactly siren-material."

Lance: "Aw!"

As the Castle reached orbit, it blew the sand and dust on two aliens, one a blue humanoid one and a yellow one, and a robot. Then, Allura spoke through the speakers.

Allura: "Attention, damaged craft, this is Princess Allura. We are coming to assist you."

As the ship shifted to a 90 degree angle upwards, it used the boosters to land safely with one of the aliens complimenting in the majesty of the Castle of Lions.

Unknown: "Whoa. Nice ship."

Inside the ship, Allura turned to Coran.

Allura: "Stay aboard and try to get as many of our systems clear of the Dark Quintessence as you can Babak is keeping an eye on Azix and the others with Zaltrin if you need their help. We'll see who hailed us."

Coran: "Yes, Princess."

With that, Allura and the others took a landing pod and used it to get to the surface and meet up with the aliens.

Unknown: "You don't know how glad we are to see some friendly faces. Most folks don't want to get tangled up with anyone who's on the run from the Galra."

Then, he noticed Lapis and grew suspicious.

Unknown: "Wait. Are you guys with the Empire?"

Lapis: "N-No. We're actually fighting Zarkon."

Unknown: "Oh, good."

Lapis: "We can tell you must be doing the same."

Unknown: "Well, I don't think Zarkon is exactly quaking in his boots at the three of us, but we do what we can. I'm Rolo. This is Nyma, and our cyber-unit, Beezer."

Nyma: "Hi."

Having laid eyes on Nyma and Beezer, Lance and Pisge found themselves entranced with them, with the exception of Jenny.

Jenny: "Uh, guys? Why are you just—"

Suddenly, they darted towards the robot and alien of their desires.

Pidge: "Cool robot!"

Lance: "Hi! Name's Lance."

Then, Jenny puffed out smoke from her nose before vice gripping Lance by his shoulder, breaking it in the process and dragging him away.

Jenny: "Not today of all days, lover boy."

Shiro: "Was your ship damaged in a fight?"

Rolo: "Yeah. We've really been through it with the Galra. Parts are hard to come by. Luckily, we were able to limp to this moon about a week ago. If you didn't pick up our distress signal, I—"

Allura: "We're happy to help. I am Princess Allura of Altea, and from now on, you won't be alone fighting the Galra. You'll have the Paladins of Voltron by your side."

Rolo drew a breath from his nose before looking behind him to see Lance chatting it up with Nyma as Jenny waved her hand in between them, trying to get their attention getting angrier every second they ignore her while Pidge flopped Beezer's ears around.

Rolo: "Okay."

Shiro: "I don't think they've heard of us."

Belle thought it was obvious.

Belle: "Really? What gave it away?"

Keith: "It has been ten thousand years."

Sandra: "Yeah. The odds of anyone remembering Voltron are, well, 10,000 to 1."

Lance tried to explain to Nyma as Jenny stopped waving her hand in frustration.

Lance: "Voltron? Five robot lions that combine into this big robot... guy?"

Rolo: "Sounds impressive. I'd love to see it. Or him. Them."

Jenny, desperate to put as much distance between Lance and Nyma as possible, wanted to get back to the task at hand.

Jenny: "Why don't we just get to work on your ship? I'm sure we all have places to be."

Rolo: "Sure."

Then, Rolo opened up the side of the ship.

Rolo: "Pretty much our whole flaxum assembly is shot. I don't know what kind of extra parts you carry in this rig of yours. I've never seen anything quite like it."

Allura: "I'm sure we can get you back up and running. Give Hunk a list of what you need. Coran and Babak can show you where to find it."

As she spoke, Lance flexed his muscles and signaled Nyma to call him later as if asking for a number, to which she giggled, causing Jenny to grunt before she tripped Lance and replied sarcastically.

Jenny: "Oops. Sorry."

Shiro saw this and clearly wasn't happy with it as he gave her a glare, causing Jenny to feel bad. Meanwhile, Hunk still wasn't quite sure.

Hunk: "Okay."

Rolo: "We'll go with you. Don't want you to have to carry all that yourself. Come on, guys."

However, Hunk stopped Rolo, much to Jenny's relief.

Hunk: "Uh, I don't think so. You can just wait out here."

Jenny: "I think Nyma should wait outside, too."

Allura: "Hunk, Jenny, don't be rude."

Lance figured out what was going on.

Lance: "Wait a tick. Are you... jealous?"

Jenny snapped at him like a twig.

Jenny: "I'm not jealous! It's just... did you forget what happened the last time people waltzed in the castle? I was almost killed, remember?"

Lance grew mortified of remembering that and grew dismal.

Lance: "Oh, yeah."

Shiro: "Jenny's right. Sorry, but we have to be cautious."

As Jenny smiled and made a stink face at Nyma mocking her, Rolo spoke to Hunk.

Rolo: "Hey, I don't take it personal. That's how it is out here. You've got to look out for your own."

Then, Beezer printed out a list of supplies before Rolo took it and handed it to Hunk.

Rolo: "You're doing a good job, big man."

Hunk replied back to him sarcastically, not quite sure about Rolo.

Hunk: "Yeah, thanks."

Later, a campfire was set up with the Paladins, Allura, Rolo, and Beezer sitting around it as he told his story.

Rolo: "My planet was destroyed by the Galra for some Komar Experiment test and I was taken captive."

Lapis: "Wait, the Komar?"

Keith: "What exactly is the Komar?"

Lapis: "I've only heard rumors in the prison walls, but... the Komar is a project they're working on to completely rob an entire planet of Quintessence."

Everyone at the campfire were shocked to hear that.

Keith: "Is that what happened? Your planet was robbed of Quintessence?"

Rolo: "Yeah. I managed to escape, but not before I lost something."

He then pulled up a pants leg to show he has a metal prosthetic leg. Shiro and Belle could relate to that.

Shiro: "I know exactly how that feels."

Belle: "Well, at least you didn't get your mind wiped."

Then, Hunk and Sandra spoke up.

Hunk: "Well, I hope there are some parts in here that'll fit."

They turned to stool and saw he didn't respond.

Sandra: "Uh, hello? Your parts are right here?"

Rolo: "Great! Thanks."

Sandra grunted in exasperation at Rolo's words.

Sandra: "Who does that guy think he is?"

Allura: "So, what can you tell us about Zarkon and Kaeculius' forces? Where are they concentrated?"

Rolo: "Well, his command ship sits right in the center of the Empire. He mostly calls the shots from there and has his minions do the work, depending on who's closest. This is the territory of a real nasty bugger named Sendak."

Keith: "Oh, we've met."

Rolo: "But not even that guy holds the candle to pure savagery like Vaxel. He's the reason I lost my leg."

Sandra overheard this and grew sorry for him.

Sandra: "Oh. Sorry to hear that."

Rolo: "Nah, it's alright. It's gonna take more than that to keep me down."

Shiro: "How far are we from the center?"

Rolo: "We're way out on the fringes."

Just then, Hunk interrupted.

Hunk: "Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I think you guys are kind of keeping Rolo from working. It's just that we're kind of in a hurry. A hero named Shay saved my life, and I swore I would return and do the same for her and her people. You understand."

Rolo: "Sure. Sorry."

Then, he patted Hunk on the shoulder before walking to the parts as he looked at Rolo suspiciously.

Later, as Rolo dig through for parts, Shiro talked with Hunk and Jenny.

Shiro: "Guys, we're going to get going soon, but I think Rolo might have some information that could be helpful to us."

Jenny: "Information, schminformation. I'm not letting my boyfriend anywhere near that seductress!"

Hunk: "Not for nothing, but I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him. I think we ought to leave him with parts and just say, 'Adiós, amigo.'"

Then, Rolo spoke up.

Rolo: "Hey, bud! Sorry, but do you think you could hunt down a length of thermal pipe about yay long?"

Hunk groaned before he went right to it.

Hunk: "On the way."

As Hunk walked over to get the part, Shiro talked to Rolo.

Shiro: "So, are there more freedom fighters? Any kind of organized resistance to the Galra?"

Rolo: "Only folks who haven't been colonized yet, or the lucky few, like us, who managed to escape somehow."

Keith: "Well, we're going to change all that."

Rolo: "That's good to hear, but I've got to warn you, it's pretty bad out there. You don't know what you're up against."

Meanwhile, Jenny noticed Lance with Nyma and snarled before Lapis spoke to her.

Lapis: "Jenny? What's up with you?"

Jenny: "None of your beeswax."

Then, Jenny stomped over to Lance and Nyma before hiding behind a rock. Lance talked with Nyma, both unaware that Jenny is spying on them.

Lance: "I mean, there are only eight of us in the entire universe, so I guess you could say it's kind of a big deal."

Nyma: "I don't understand. The lions are ships? Are they, like, flying statues that you ride on?"

Jenny overheard that and whisper-shouted.

Jenny: "Flying statues?! Ugh, who does she think she is?!"

Lance: "No, no, no. They're magic, but also super scientific and advanced. And they fly crazy fast and have all these incredible weapons. Really, the entire Castle is just insane. I wish you could see it."

Nyma: "Yes, it's too bad we're not allowed inside. I would love a tour from one of the knights."

Jenny heard this and shouted.

Jenny: "WHAT?!"

Lance and Nyma heard this and looked to where the voice came from, but didn't see anyone there as Jenny hid herself in time.

Nyma: "But I guess the big one is in charge, huh? You have to obey his orders?"

Lance: "Who, Hunk?"

Lance scoffed as he took Nyma's hands and went in the Castle.

Lance: "I don't have to listen to him!"

As Nyma giggled, Jenny immediately followed them undetected, except to Belle who could easily tell what's going on as she whispered to her sisters who was repeatedly dashing from one rock to another.

Belle: "What do you think you're doing?"

Jenny: "What does it look like? I'm trying to get some dirt on Nyma. She's not good enough for him."

Belle: "Jenny, just stop and let this go."

Jenny: "And let her take Lance away from me?! Never!"

Belle usually figures out whether or not she's jealous, even when she doesn't admit it. But she also knew that there's no compromise with her at this state. If it gets worse, it might have to come to confrontation. But, until then, Belle will let her cool off.

Belle: "Alright, fine. Just don't say I didn't try to help."

Inside the Castle, Lance was showing Nyma the hangar much to Jenny's chagrin.

Nyma: "This place is incredible!"

Lance: "Yeah, I guess. You get used to it."

Nyma: "But it's so gigantic. It must take you forever to get to your lion."

Lance: "Ooh, you'd be surprised."

When he opened the zip liner and went in with Nyma holding onto him, Jenny fumed like a tea kettle with steam coming out of her ears.

Jenny: "Lance McClain, when I get my hands on you, I'm gonna throttle your air supply senseless!"

Then, Jenny darted away from the hangar as she made a break for one of the pods.

Meanwhile, as they zipped to the lion, Nyma laughed as she held onto Lance, who blushed from it. When they got inside the lion, Nyma was in the chair while she held onto Lance bridal style.

Lance: "Pretty slick, right?"

Nyma: "Unbelievable! Take me on a ride around the moon?"

Lance blushed at this and tried to get out of the situation, as he also remembered how worried Jenny would be.

Lance: "We should probably get back to the others."

Nyma: "Yeah, you're right. Maybe Keith will give me a ride."

Hearing that, Lance immediately changed his mind.

Lance: "No! Hold on a second. I mean, what's the point of having the lion of you can't enjoy it, right? Giddy-up, buddy!"

As the Blue Lion took off from the castle, Jenny saw this and ground her teeth against each other as she took off after them before shouting.

Jenny: "You boyfriend swindler!"

Outside, Hunk and Sandra saw the Blue Lion and the pod taking off and easily deduced what it meant.

Hunk: "Oh, Lance!"

Sandra: "Oh, boy. Jenny's really gonna let them have it."

Rolo: "Aw, let them have their fun. Thanks to you guys, this thing's just about ready, so we're going to be on our way soon. Too many light years on that guy, I guess."

Hunk and Sandra grew suspicious about this.

Hunk: "Yeah."

Sandra: "I guess."

Meanwhile, Zarkon's command center floated above a peaceful world as four Druids each floated above the mechanism that prepared the Komar. Above the center of it was Haggar.

Witch Haggar: "Begin the ritual."

Suddenly, the platforms the four Druids were on glowed purple.

Witch Haggar: "Druids of the four directions, join us!"

Then, the platforms shot at the center in which Haggar prepared a ball that expanded as the beans hit it. Then, Haggar yelled as she gave it a dark black hue on the inside and shot it at the mechanism, causing it to spread throughout the mechanism and power up the ship before it summoned a giant black orb that began calling forth the blue light towards it, but at a price. As a result, it drained the planet of life as the Quintessence that supported it is now in a jar.

Witch Haggar: "The Komar experiment was a success. We have gained an entire planet's Quintessence, a feat that would have normally taken us years."

Zarkon: "Most Impressive. This will revolutionize the way we advance throughout the galaxy. Mining and colonizing planets is a thing of the past. With this much power available at our whim, we can now spend all of our time hunting down and capturing Voltron."

Back at the moon, Nyma showed Lance around as the envious Jenny followed them.

Nyma: "Look, a kinetic spring! Let's land over there."

As the Blue Lion grazed over the spring, it resulted in the drops of it making a rainbow. Unfortunately, that caused Jenny's pod to become covered in the rainbow as well.

Jenny: "Aw, come on!"

Nyma: "The minerals reflect off the water, making a rainbow."

Lance: "Wow. Is there anything you don't know?"

Then, Nyma pushed a button on the bracelet causing it to beep.

Meanwhile, Rolo got the signal and got out of the ship's interior.

Rolo: "I think this thing is just about ready for a test flight. Beezer, come co-pilot for me. Be back in a tick."

Then, as they went in the ship, the Paladins looked in confusion as the ship turned on and fired its thrusters to a certain area around the moon.

Meanwhile, Jenny had just landed on the moon and opened the rainbow covered pod as she coughed and swayed the air away before hiding behind a tree adjacent to them.

Lance: "So, you want to see how fast I can climb this tree?"

Jenny gasped as she knew this moment was a callback to when they'd first met as children, back when she was seven years old.

At the park, they stood by a tree and looked at it.

Lance: "You wanna see how fast I can climb this tree?"

Jenny: "Oh, you're on!"

Then, the two of them climbed up on the tree. Suddenly, when Jenny couldn't get the right footing she slipped before Lance caught her by her hand and helped her up.

Lance: "That was close, huh? Come on."

Then, kept his hand on Jenny as they scaled the tree and were finally able to climb onto the branches before they peeked up through the leaves and saw a beautiful sunset.

Jenny: "Wow! It's so pretty."

Lance: "Yeah. It really is."

Jenny: "So, who won?"

Lance forgot about that and stammered.

Lance: "I, uh, don't know. Who got to the leaves first?"

Jenny giggled before she offered a solution.

Jenny: "Let's just say we won and call it a tie, okay?"

Then, she snapped back to reality before she saw Lance with Nyma, who giggled at him.

Nyma: "Aw, you are cute. Let me show you something. Give me your hand."

Then, Jenny's face turned red as she blew more steam out of her ears. Suddenly, what happened next, wasn't quite what Jenny expected as Nyma grabbed his hand and placed it in an energy cuff that chained him to a tree.

Lance: "Whoa. This is kind of..."

Then, Lance felt a gust of wind and saw that their ship is capturing the Blue Lion with Beezer dancing around as Rolo smiled. Then, Nyma left for the ship as Lance tried to figure out the situation.

Lance: "Nyma, what's going on?"

Nyma: "Sorry, Lance. Maybe we'll meet again."

As she went up on the bungee cord that lifted her into the ship, Lance looked sorrowful as they took off with the lion. Then, once they've taken off, Lance looked to see his helmet just out of reach for him.

Lance: "Oh, quiznak."

Then, the helmet rolled over to him, much to Lance's surprise. Lance looked to see Jenny by the other tree.

Lance: "Jenny? Oh, thank goodness. You've gotta help me out of this."

However, Jenny didn't feel he deserved it.

Jenny: "And why should I?"

Lance: "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Jenny: "What do you think? You left me for that witch! I should've had a tour of the Castle! I should've been on that zip line with you! I should've been across the river with you! But most of all, I should've climbed that tree with you, like we did 10 years ago!"

Then, Jenny began to shed tears, much to Lance's realization about the seriousness of his decision to spend time with Nyma. Though, in fairness, he never considered Nyma to be that way. All the same, he felt all the more worthless just seeing that he hurt Jenny like this.

Lance: "Jenny. I-I had no idea. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Jenny retorted back at him as she wiped the tears from her eyes, unable to contain the hurt in her voice.

Jenny: "Well, guess what? You did. You can get yourself out of that tree, for all I care. I'm through with you."

Then, Jenny walked away from Lance toward her pod as she shed tears. Then, as the pod flew off toward the direction that ship took off to, Lance felt all the more ashamed. He had one chance with her and he blew it. The fact he didn't know made it even worse.

Lance: "Argh! What is wrong with me?!"

Then, he noticed his helmet that Jenny kicked to him earlier. Then, he knelt down to the helmet and got an idea.

Lance: "You may be through with me, Jenny. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna give up on you."

Meanwhile, the others were waiting for Rolo.

Pidge: "How many ticks have they been gone?"

Allura: "I don't know. I hope they didn't break down again."

Hunk: "Something ain't right."

Sandra: "Yeah. I haven't seen Jenny come back either. Something has to be up."

Just then, they received a transmission from Lance.

Lance: "Guys? Hello? Little help?"

Shiro: "Lance? Lance! Are you all right? What's going on?"

Lance: "Listen to me. You have to go after Jenny. She could get hurt!"

Lapis: "Why? What happened?"

Lance: "Look, Nyma chained me to a tree."

Hunk: "I knew it!"

Lance: "Then, Rolo and Nyma stile the Blue Lion."

Hunk: "I knew it!"

Belle: "What about Jenny, though?"

Lance: "She... she dumped me before going after them herself. She was really hurt, all because I was such an idiot."

Sandra saw that coming a mile away. To her, any romance with Lance is doomed, just like Romeo and Juliet.

Sandra: "I knew it!"

Shiro: "Where are they?"

Lance: "They went just outside the atmosphere!"

Hunk/Sandra: "I knew it!"

Lance: "You guys go on without me! I'll find a way to get out of this and help!"

Keith: "Copy that, Lance."

Hunk: "Uh, I never trusted those guys right from the beginning!"

At the zip line, as he went to his vehicle that led him to the Yellow Lion, Hunk rambled on about how he saw it coming.

Hunk: "I mean, okay, at first, it was just like a feeling in my gut, you know? But when I was replacing that thermal pipe, the pipe was cracked, but none of the hardware around it was damaged."

Keith: "Okay, we get it!"

Hunk: "I mean, if the thermal pipe is cracked, then, obviously, hello, the entire assembly should be totally roasted."

Sandra: "Okay! We get it."

Hunk: "We should've had to replace the entire undercarriage of that reactor. So, right then, I was, like, positive. Foul play."

All: "Okay, we get it!"

Lance wasn't any more excited than the rest, but he was more annoyed than the rest with Jenny's life at stake.

Lance: "Just shut the quiznak up and get Jenny back!"

Hunk: "Geez. Touchy."

Then, the lions took off for Jenny and Rolo as they roared.

As Rolo's ship drifted in space, Rolo commenced transmission with Prorok.

Rolo: "Commander Prorok, my name is Rolo. I understand you're offering a reward to anyone helping capture the Voltron Lions."

Prorok: "That's correct. Do you know where they are?"

Rolo: "I know where the blue one is. It's in my ship."

Prorok: "Excellent. Bring it to me and you'll have your reward immediately."

Rolo: "Just a tick. My friends and I have a bit of a checkered past. Some stolen merchandise from the Galra Empire may have fallen into our possession without us knowing about it."

Prorok: "Well, I'm sure that a full pardon can be arranged for the brave souls who bring Emperor Zarkon a Voltron Lion. Is that all?"

Nyma: "We'll take the reward, too."

Prorok: "Of course."

Rolo: "All right. We're on our way."

After the transmission ended, Rolo cracked his knuckles before speaking.

Rolo: "I almost feel sorry for those Voltron folks. Seemed like a nice bunch."

Nyma: "If you're feeling guilty, you can turn yourself in. Stealing from Zarkon carries a life sentence."

Rolo: "They don't seem that nice."

Far away at a Galra ship, Vaxel walked toward Prorok.

Vaxel: "He said his name was Rolo. To think it was only a Quintant ago when I robbed him of his leg. Such a splendid time."

Prorok: "Are you sure he's the same one?"

Vaxel: "Of course. I never forget a face, even that of a bounty hunter."

Later, Rolo's ship blared its alarm and opened up to reveal that Jenny is directly behind them and could easily see her angry tear-stained face.

Rolo: "No way."

Jenny: "You've hurt me for the last time! Now, you're going to pay!"

Rolo: "I've got an idea."

Nyma could easily tell she meant business and didn't want to poke the bear.

Nyma: "Are you sure you know what you're doing? There's no way we can outrun that pod."

Rolo: "Not in the open. Good thing the Zorlar asteroid belt is right up here. I know that like the back of my hand."

As Jenny's pod gave chase, it evaded the asteroids around them. However, the lions themselves were stuck.

Pidge: "We'll never get through this asteroid field!"

Hunk: "Maybe I can jus bust through!"

However, when he tried, he only succeeded in bonking it forwards towards another asteroid before it hit another like a stack of dominoes.

Hunk: "Nope. That was wrong. That was a bad idea."

Shiro: "Keith, Sandra, you're the only ones who could possibly fly through this. We need you, guys. Get in there and flush them out."

Keith: "You got it. See you on the other side."

Then, the Red Lion went after Rolo's ship narrowly avoiding the asteroids while jumping into them like parkour. As it scaled the asteroid, Keith and Sandra saw Jenny's pod desperate to collide into Rolo's ship as Jenny showed a look of extreme anger. Sandra spoke through the transmission to reason with her.

Sandra: "Jenny, you have to let this go!"

Jenny: "After what they did to me?! No deal!"

Keith grunted in frustration as he engaged the Red Lion's boosters and shoved the pod out of the way, much to Jenny's fury as she put her focus back on Rolo's ship.

Meanwhile, Rolo saw the Red Lion as well.

Rolo: "No way. Get on the blasters. Take them down!"

Nyma: "Copy."

Then, Beezer beeped as he and Nyma began firing blasters at Keith, Sandra, and Jenny. However, they were swift enough to evade the blaster fire before Jenny activated the pod's weapon systems and started going crazy, firing its weapons at Rolo, causing him to panic.

Rolo: "What's made her so crazy?!"

Nyma: "She's gaining on you!"

Rolo grunted as he swerved the ship away. However, that didn't work as Jenny fired a large laser beam at the asteroid from the undercarriage of the pod, causing the asteroid to disassemble and end up having a hole in its center, one which Jenny went through before she took out the turrets with her own and caused the machinery inside to lose grip on the Blue Lion's barrier.

Nyma: "Blasters are offline!"

Rolo: "We've got to get out of here!"

Then, Jenny spoke on their transmission.

Jenny: "No one is leaving! Not until you burn!"

Then, Jenny charged her laser before firing it at one of their engines, causing it to spin out of control as Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer braced for impact. Then, Jenny began charging another one to go for the kill.

Jenny: "One more should put you out of my misery."

Just then, Belle's voice spoke to her in a worried, if not angry tone.

Belle: "JENNIFER STARDUST SHAYBON, STOP!"

Jenny heard her voice and stopped herself.

Jenny: "S-Sis? You said my whole name..."

Belle: "What do you think you're doing?!"

Jenny: "I can't let them get away! They have to pay!"

Belle: "For what? This isn't the way a Paladin acts and you know it!"

Jenny: "Well, what else am I supposed to do, just let them walk away?!"

Then, Jenny broke down in tears as she explained.

Jenny: "They've hit me way too close to home! Nyma, she... she took Lance from me... He was supposed to be with me..."

Belle: "I know you're hurting, but that won't change anything. Just let it go."

Jenny grunted as she tried to let go of her rage before she relaxed and pulled the laser back as she took a deep breath.

Belle: "Are you alright?"

Jenny weakly replied as she tried to wipe her tears away.

Jenny: "Yeah. I'm alright..."

Belle: "Good. Just let us handle this."

With that, Jenny stayed back as Keith seized the ship before the other lions swarmed around it.

Keith: "Yeah!"

Keith then chuckled before he spoke to Lance.

Keith: "Hey, Lance, Jenny got your lion back."

Lance: "She did?"

Keith: "Yeah, she really went crazy on them. She could've vaporized them, too, but she didn't."

Lance: "Phew! Thank you, Keith. Now, can I talk to Jenny?"

Keith knew it was a touchy subject and tried to stay out of it.

Keith: "What's that? I, uh... You're cutting out. I can't... I can't hear you."

Lance: "Keith, I'm serious! She needs to know how sorry I am!"

Then, Jenny spoke to him.

Jenny: "You don't need to tell me. I know."

Lance grew relieved before he spoke to her.

Lance: "So, are we cool?"

Jenny: "We'll talk about that later."

Later, they've landed on the moon where Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer we're forced to stay there as Jenny's ruthless acrimony left their ship permanently stuck.

Keith: "Since your ship really doesn't work now, you'll have to wait here for a rescue."

Rolo: "Thanks for sparing our lives."

Jenny: "Whatever. It's more than you deserve."

Hunk: "Now that these guys are dealt with, let's get to the Balmera and save Shay and her family."

Sandra: "But not Rax, right?"

Rolo: "You may not believe this, but I hope you do stop Zarkon. It's a lifetime of fighting the Galra that led me to where I am today."

Jenny: "And I almost killed you for it."

Rolo: "Yeah. If I had it to do all over again, though, I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Then, they took off for the ship and left them.

Later, at the Castle, Lance walked to their room as he heard Jenny's sobbing on a pillow before he knocked. Having heard this, Jenny replied back, trying to hold back her sobs.

Jenny: "Yeah?"

Lance: "Jenny. It's-It's me."

Jenny didn't sound pleased to see him, as if the sobs weren't enough indication.

Jenny: "Oh. You."

Lance: "Can I come in?"

Jenny took a deep breath before answering.

Jenny: "Fine."

Then, Lance walked in to see Jenny on her bed, her pillow stained in her tears.

Jenny: "What do you want?"

Lance: "Look, I know I did you wrong. I can't deny that, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm really sorry for what I've put you through. The truth is, I do love you. I'm just... I'm just like all the other boys. I get distracted every time I see a beautiful girl."

Jenny: "So, why even talk to me then? You probably don't care, right?"

Lance: "What? Why would you say that? Of course, I care about you. Like I said, I get distracted, but that doesn't mean I love you any less."

Hearing this, Jenny grew surprised before being doubtful.

Jenny: "Wait. You... you're saying you actually love me?"

Lance: "Of course I do."

Jenny: "Well, how am I supposed to trust that? These days, words aren't good enough, Lance. I mean, how am I supposed to know you won't just turn your back on me for another gi—"

Before she could finish, Lance pressed his lips against hers, causing her to sport a surprised look before she welcomed it and breathed on him. When they parted their mouths, Lance answered.

Lance: "Is that proof enough for you? I could've asked you first, but... you needed to know. Sure, I hang around other ladies, but I haven't forgotten who my girlfriend is. I never have, and now, I never will. Because you're my first kiss. And you're the only one of them who deserves it, especially after everything you've been through. But I... ugh, I can't blame you if you don't want me anymore."

Then, Lance heard a sniffle and saw Jenny smiling at him with tears in her eyes.

Jenny: "No, don't go. Please. I... I want you to stay with me."

Then, she hugged Lance as she sobbed on his shoulder. As she did, Lance placed his arm around her back as she took a breath and closed her eyes, letting everything else fade away but the two of them.

Meanwhile, at the moon, Rolo and Nyma noticed a Galra ship landing and prepared themselves only to see a walking Galra commander armor walking toward them. Rolo recognizes that soul in the armor.

Rolo: "Vaxel..."

Then, Vaxel spoke to him.

Vaxel: "Long time no see, old friend."

Suddenly, Vaxel launches a purple whip from his right arm, snagged him and pulled him into his grip.

Vaxel: "Where are the Paladins of Voltron?"

Rolo: "I don't see why I should tell you."

Vaxel: "Because if you don't..."

Then, Vaxel pointed his arm cannon toward Nyma and Beezer as it prepares a black and purple light.

Vaxel: "They'll end up corpses, just like your race."

Rolo knew well enough what it could do and stopped him.

Rolo: "Okay, stop! I'll tell you!"

Then, Vaxel ceased his cannon and turned to him.

Rolo: "They just went to the Balmera. To save Shay and her family."

Vaxel smiled before chucking him to the floor.

Vaxel: "Pleasure doing business with you."

With that, Vaxel went back to the ship, leaving Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer on the moon. However, Rolo knew there was more to it.

Rolo: "That's it? I know, you Vaxel. There's more to it, isn't there?"

Vaxel: "Well, I doubt you won't have any rescue coming your way. There's nothing more to it. And even if there was, the end is near, my old, treacherous friend. What a shame..."

Then, Vaxel's mouth closed itself as the armor went over it.

Vaxel: "...that you are unable to see it."

As Vaxel walked away, Rolo, Nyma, and Beezer watched as he went back to the ship.

Meanwhile, at Zarkon's command center, Haggar and his Druids surrounded a purple lizard with green eyes.

Witch Haggar: "All this Quintessence will turn you into the strongest, most horrifying fighter ever created. One that even Voltron will not be able to defeat."

A/N: So, what did you think? Just thought you should know, my Jenny Shaybon would be different from the one in the series. Although, it's unknown if she'll appear next season, I would like to recommend Erica Mendez to be her voice actress. This idea just sounds really cool to me. Enjoy. :)