Chapter 49: Scars of Sacrilege
In Outer Space, the Castle was headed towards the ruined Daibazaal while in the hangar, Allura, Lotor, and Alphus stood in front of their newly finished Comet ship as he spoke to them before Alphus turned to Allura.
"I've waited an eternity for this."
"We're so close... how can we be so sure it's not going to go wrong?"
"We've done everything we can to prepare us for this moment, Alphus. We're ready."
As Allura and Lotor turned to Alphus, she looked at the latter and sighed before looking to the ship as she and Lotor spoke.
"Alright. For the universe."
"It means so much for me to share this with you both."
Inside the ship, Lotor booted it up as Alphus sat in-between him and Allura as they assisted in the ship's maintenance while Lance, Jenny, Ayame, Pidge, Coran, Babak, Hunk, Shiro, Belle, Cilia, and Sapphire watched from the Castle's main hub.
"Beginning system check. Front and rear stabilizers."
"Front and rear stabilizers are go."
"Quintessence collection array."
"Quintessence collection array is go."
"Infracells."
"Infracells up."
"Dynotherms."
"Dynotherms connected."
"Switching on mega-thrusters."
"Mega-thrusters are go."
As the ship powered up, ready for transport, Hunk couldn't help but feel the situation to be mysterious.
"I can't be the only one who sees that this is nuts, right? I mean, just getting in there is a long shot. Then they have to make it out again?"
With that, Babak spoke up in agreement to him before Pidge spoke up.
"I must concur with Hunk. This whole plan, by itself, is a foolhardy and unnecessary risk."
"I don't know. I mean, we've traveled through the Quintessence field to another reality. This isn't just theoretical physics. Mathematically, we know it's possible."
Hearing this, Coran spoke in favor of Pidge as he got in Babak's face.
"It is hard to argue with math, Babak. Believe me, I tried."
As Babak growled, Ayame spoke of the bad side of it.
"But even if they do reach the Quintessence field, then what? The last time anyone got in there, Zarkon became corrupted and this whole mess happened."
Seeing his point was made, Babak got in Coran's face as he mocked him.
"Ah-ha! Looks like Math lost that argument."
Despite the back-and-forth banter, Shiro spoke of another side of that event.
"Zarkon fell prey to his own evil instincts. The Quintessence field didn't create them, it revealed them."
As Shiro said this, Lance noticed Jenny's concerned look as he spoke towards her, trying to get to the root of the problem.
"You okay, Jenny?"
"I don't know... lately, Alphus has been acting all worried. Like she saw something that made her deathly scared, but she wouldn't even tell me. Do you know what it's about?"
Unfortunately, Lance only knew as much as she did as he shook his head before he spoke.
"No. But, maybe she's having nightmares. People don't usually like to talk about them. I know I don't."
"Maybe... except where did those nightmares come from?"
In the hangar bay, the doors opened before the Comet ship's lever was pushed by Lotor, propelling it towards Daibazaal while Coran spoke up.
"So, this is goodbye... for now."
Not willing to let anything happen to Alphus, given how worried she's acting lately, Jenny spoke up to Alphus to put her own worries at ease.
"Alphus."
"Yes, Jenny?"
"You better get back safe, okay?"
Seeing the worry on Jenny's face, Alphus gave a small smile before she replied back to her.
"Don't worry. I will."
As the ship got closer to Daibazaal, they noticed a portal gate that should take them to the Quintessence field as Coran spoke up.
"T-minus ten ticks to gate entry. Nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one."
As they got closer and closer, the comet ship began to glow blue, making Sapphire widen her eyes at its beauty as she spoke.
"Wow..."
Inside the ship, Lotor spoke to Alphus and Allura before they replied.
"Are you ready?"
"Ready as we'll ever be."
"Here we go."
With their resolve bold as ever, the pilots of the Comet ship pressed onward inside the gate and braced the blinding light that came.
Eventually, that same brightness became easily accustomed to as when they opened their eyes, they found small blue light specks around them, as if they found an invisible forest. As they gazed at the scene around them, Allura spoke of its beauty while Alphus couldn't find the words as she gave a small tear while remembering the lives that were lost at her hands and what she could do for them now.
"Extraordinary."
All the while, Lotor smiled as he looked at the scene around him.
Back at the Castle, they received an alarm, making Sapphire hide behind Cilia as the mother grew curious.
"What's going on?"
As Babak checked the systems, he took notice of an incoming ship as he spoke to Shiro.
"I've got an incoming craft."
"Shields up, and out it on screen."
As Babak did just that, the group were surprised to see an Altean pod along with the Violet Lion, making Cilia and Sapphire gasp while Babak and Coran grew shocked as if they'd seen a ghost before Ayame spoke to Shiro about the Violet Lion.
"That... that can't be!"
"It's an Altean pod! A really old one!"
"And the Violet Lion, too. What do you think that all means?"
"Let's find out. Attention, Altean pod, identify yourself."
As a result, the pod changed into that of a monitor, showing Keith with Sandra.
"Shiro, it's Keith."
"And Sandra, too. Lapis and the others are on the Violet Lion."
Seeing their faces again, the group became shocked while Ayame had a look of longing over her as she, Hunk, Jenny, and Lance spoke.
"Keith? A-Are you alright?
"Sandy? Where have you guys been?"
"And how did you guys get that pod?"
"Does he look bigger to you guys? He's bigger, right? No?"
This made Sandra give a small smile before she answered.
"Yes, we have gotten bigger, Lance. But that's not important right now. Where's Lotor?"
"He's already in the Quintessence field."
This made Keith and Sandra widen their eyes at Hunk's news as they spoke.
"Oh, no."
"Guys, you need to know what's going on."
Within the Quintessence field, Lotor looked at the systems and grew amazed at the energy output.
"Readings are beyond anything I could have imagined. What we do here today will change the course of the universe forever."
As he said this, Allura and Alphus looked at the specks around them as the latter had memories of how Zarkon turned out after his trip in the Quintessence field as she spoke.
"In the hands of the wrong person, this power could easily corrupt, like a virus."
"Together, we'll see it never does and continue the work your brother started so long ago. Now, let's see if we can collect some samples."
At the Castle, the Violet Lion and the pod entered the hangar bay before its mouth opened to reveal Lapis and her team walking out of it alongside Krolia and Xarnas. As they got out, Keith and Sandra took their turn to exit from the pod as Ayame and Shiro grew amazed at his growth as the latter spoke.
"Keith... it's so good to see you."
As Shiro said this, Ayame only ran toward Keith and hugged him, catching him by surprise as she spoke.
"You came back..."
A moment after she did so, however, Ayame realized her situation and quickly stopped herself before she looked at him with a blush and a smile on her face before Keith returned the same gesture while Lapis smiled and Adea giggled a bit from this before Lance spoke.
"Hold on. How do we know you're the real Keith and not his bigger, cooler, grizzled, older brother?"
To answer his question, Keith returned his usual answer towards him.
"I don't have time for this, Lance."
"Hey, everybody, Keith's back!"
"We need to stop Lotor. He's been lying to all of us!"
This made Shiro confused as he spoke up.
"Wh— Lying about what?"
At that moment, they heard a voice they didn't expect to hear as Jenny's skin began to crawl at this.
"Everything."
As they turned to the Violet Lion, they noticed Komar in cuffs with an Altean and a cosmic wolf leading him out as he eyed each one of them as well as the scenery inside while Babak, Lance, Jenny, and Hunk asked their questions before Komar spoke up.
"You're... you're an Altean!"
"And how did you find Xarnas? I thought he was a goner."
"What is that creep doing here?!"
"Is that a wolf?"
"So... this is where the magic happens."
Keith then turned to the others as Ayame spoke up, knowing her own history with Komar.
"What's going on here, Keith?"
"I promise I'll explain everything once we get to Lotor."
Jenny then gave him the news about the event of the Quintessence field.
"Didn't Hunk tell you? He's already in the Quintessence field with Allura and Alphus."
"We traveled through realities before. Can't we fly in there and attack?"
Lance then spoke up about another situation.
"She said Allura and Alphus are with him. We can't risk hurting them."
This made Hunk more confused as to why more than how.
"Why are we even attacking?"
Shiro, trying to prevent the situation from escalating any further, spoke out to the group.
"Look, Keith— Everyone, calm down. When they return, we'll get this all sorted out."
At that moment, Komar spoke up, despite his being prisoner.
"You won't have that time, you know. When Lotor gets back with the Quintessence, he'll have more than enough to advance his plans."
This made Ayame glare at Komar, knowing the pain he caused as she walked toward him.
"And why should we trust your word at face value?"
"We need not be adversaries at the moment, Xaira."
"It's Ayame."
"Regardless, we have our differences. And there will be a reckoning, but not today. Today, I've come not on Kaecilius' behalf, but to protect you from Lotor."
In the Quintessence field, Lotor and Allura spoke of its effects as he looked around and collected the Quintessence from in the ship.
"I can feel the Quintessence coursing through me."
"It's like my spirit, my whole being, is more alive."
As for Alphus, however, when she looked around, she only saw a flash of the robot silhouette and saw her own hands covered in moss for a moment, making her gasp before Allura spoke up.
"Are you alright?"
"I... I don't know. But this place... I think it's getting to me."
Meanwhile, Haggar conducted surveillance from her spell as she witnessed Keith, the cosmic wolf, the Altean, Krolia, and Ayame as if she was facing them herself before Shiro spoke up.
"Lance is right. You have changed."
"Time is different where I've been."
"Shiro, Keith has told me all about you. Thank you for raising him to be the man he is today."
At that moment, Ayame noticed the space wolf near her and found herself drawn to it as she gently placed her hand on its fur and brushed it back, making him go closer to her as it enjoyed her touch before she smiled as Krolia spoke.
"And Ayame..."
When she heard her voice, Ayame became nervous and refused to look at her, knowing she must hate her for being Zarkon's daughter, only to hear a different response.
"Keith told me about you, too. You don't have to be afraid. In fact, I'd think you and him would be great together."
As she held her hand to her, Ayame and Keith blushed simultaneously, making Jenny giggle at this before she brushed it off and smiled as she gratefully shook her hand.
"Thank you."
As Krolia smiled, Lance, Coran, Jenny, and Cilia spoke up to Keith about the unanswered questions.
"Okay, this is nuts! You and your sister come back with your Galra mom, a supposedly dead guy, a wolf, the life snatcher, and an Altean?"
"Yes, I'm still wanting to hear the story on how you found this Altean."
"And why that same guy who made me look like a grandma is in the same room as us!"
"Me, too. Sapphire and I thought our family were the only survivors, outside of Princess Allura and these two, of course."
This made Babak and Coran drop their chins as they felt they were dissed on purpose before Komar spoke up.
"Ah, yes. Believe it or not, our paths happened to cross on different motives when we met. I believe Romelle should tell her own story first."
With that, Romelle turned to Jenny as she spoke.
"I come from a planet where there are thousands of Alteans. We have lived there since the war with Zarkon began."
"For real? But... wasn't Altea turned into a wasteland?"
"Every Altean child knows about the story of how Lotor saved us from destruction. When Zarkon and Kaecilius attacked, many were off-planet on trading expeditions. When news spread about the destruction of our home by a white flash, those of us eco remained went into hiding for deca-phoebs. But Lotor, with his deep knowledge of Altean culture, managed to track some of them down."
In the flashback, it showed Lotor in a hood walking into a bar before meeting with two beings with green skin and white robes as he removed his hood, making them worried before he spoke unto them.
"Hear me out! I know who you are. I come in peace."
This made the two Alteans look to each other outvof concern before they sat back down while he spoke.
"I have come to save the noble Altean people, to preserve your customs and traditions before they are destroyed like Altea itself. Please, come with me. I have created a haven where the Galra will never find you. It may not be Altea, but it will keep you safe. If my intention were to kill you, then you would be dead already."
After their consideration, the Alteans revealed their true forms before looking to Lotor out of hope that what he speaks is the truth.
Over time, it showed many Alteans taken to the new haven with a blue sky and lush, green fields before they settled there while Lotor worked with a few Alteans in designing structures as more time elapsed to show a village as Romelle continued to explain.
"To keep the Alteans secure, Lotor hid them on a remote planet beyond the Quantum Abyss."
This made Coran, Hunk, and Jenny speak up, still confused on why they should stop Lotor altogether.
"So, Lotor saved Alteans?"
"Man, Lotor is even nicer than we thought."
"But... why are we trying to stop him, then?"
At the village, Lotor stood before a group of Alteans with two scientists by his side before they lined up on the ships.
"You'll see soon. Anyway, over time, the Alteans cane to worship Lotor as their savior. Generations ago, in an effort to increase our odds of survival, Lotor announced that he was creating another colony far from our own. But in order to do so, he needed to assess which Alteans were viable candidates to survive the journey. One by one, every Altean in the colony was given a series of tests."
When they got to the front of the line, some Alteans were shown to be worthy as the scans went blue before they allowed them to enter the ships with Lotor in one of them before they took off as Romelle continued explaining.
"Those who were deemed fit for the journey were loaded onto a cargo ship and taken to the second colony. It was considered the highest honor. Any communication between the colonies was strictly prohibited for fear that it would compromise the other's location. This was the world I was born into, one of unquestioning devotion to a supposed messiah. My brother Bandor was always faithful, but I had questions."
Later, it showed a Brown-haired young Altean standing beside Romelle as they looked at Lotor's statue and the engraving below it as she spoke.
"So many of our people gone to the new colony. Petruilius, Gnautu, Rahz, and of course, Mother and Father. I miss them all so much."
"I'm sure we'll have a chance to see them again when we're chosen to travel to the new colony."
"But why can't we talk to them now? Lotor must have a way of communicating with them. He travels there all the time. So, why does he keep us in the dark?"
"You know why. Communication with the other colony would risk discovery by the Galra."
"So we're told."
Even later, at a village, another cargo ship was parked while they lined up with Romelle being deemed unfit for the journey while Bandor was chosen, much to the sister's concern while she narrated.
"Eventually, Bandor grew old enough to be assessed for the journey to the other colony, and he was selected to leave immediately."
"Don't do this!"
"It is Lotor's will."
"I'll never see you again! Don't let him tear our family apart."
Bandor only gave Romelle a smile as she hugged him and brushed her hair back.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be selected to come to the colony soon. In the meantime, I made you something."
As a gift, Bandor handed Romelle a small device as he placed it in her hand while he spoke.
"It's a communicator."
Romelle looked around for a bit before placing it on her chest to keep it hidden as she spoke.
"Will I be able to talk to you on the other colony?"
"I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but I hope so. Just remember, we suffer this isolation so the next generation may not have to. Goodbye, Romelle."
With that, Bandor slowly walked away as their hands slipped before he went inside with a blue-haired Altean standing beside him before it took off with Romelle watching before it showed her sitting on the field of grass as she looked at her communicator, finding no signal as she narrated.
"When Bandor left, I felt completely alone. I tried to use the communicator he had given me, but it never worked."
Then, in Outer Space, it showed the cargo ship headed towards a moon while a Galra fighter followed them while Xarnas spoke up his own narration.
"And it was at this point in her story where I came in. The Galra Empire had recently discovered someone using an unauthorized communicator and tried to follow the source. I initially believed it was the Blade of Marmora trying to find a new base, so naturally, I had to think of a way to resolve the issue and make a clean getaway."
As the cargo ship landed, it loaded off a load of Alteans, including Bandor and the blue-haired Altean, much to Xarnas' partner's surprise as he spoke.
"Alteans? What are they doing here?! We need to tell Emperor Zarkon about—"
Before he could finish, Xarnas chopped him in the neck, making him pass out before he spoke.
"Sorry, my friend. Too risky."
With that, Xarnas stealthily hid behind the cargo ship and saw the so-called cargo walking in with the scientists before the door closed and he assumed it safer to press onward, seeing as they had a head start as he narrated onwards.
"When I had taken a good look, however, I realized it wasn't the Blade of Marmora, but neither was it Zarkon. And what's more, there were Alteans, a race previously thought to have gone extinct. So I decided to infiltrate the base and get the answers myself."
As Xarnas walked in, he made sure that he didn't attract too much attention before he notice blue glowing light from a corner before he pressed onward and looked through it. But to his horror, he found a tank of Divine Quintessence with the valves from the ceiling adding more of it in. As he saw this, Xarnas realized what it actually was.
"This is no base... it's a Quintessence bank. But where are the donors?"
This made him gasp as he realize what the donors were as he saw them not too long ago.
"The Alteans..."
Not long after he found out for himself, he heard a shriek from far away and ran to the source before he noticed the same blue-haired Altean being bound to a tank by the scientists as she yelled out.
"Let me go! Please!"
When they did not hear her pleas, Xarnas grew and angry and went toward them, making her gasp and allowing the scientists to strap her in and turn on the tank before it began to siphon her life force as she grew tired before they heard footsteps, catching their attention before he spoke.
"Didn't anyone tell you? Your shift was supposed to be over."
"We didn't hear about it."
"Look over there, and you'll see why."
As they looked to Xarnas' left, he didn't hesitate to attack them as he took their heads and smashed them together, making them go unconscious before the Altean began to whimper in spite of her essence being drained before he spoke.
"Compose yourself, Altean. I'm not here to harm you. I'm here to rescue you."
To prove it, Xarnas used his luxite blade to dispatch of the tank and the bars before he carried her in his arms before he spoke.
"We have to go. We don't have much time."
"N-No... Bandor... not without... Bandor..."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Somewhere in here..."
"Well, fine, But I can't take anyone else with me even if I wanted to. Just tell me when to stop."
With that, Xarnas set her down by the tank he'd broken her out of to recover while also making sure to move the glass away from her before he looked at the tanks as he sidestepped with his blade at the ready and the Altean watching carefully before he happened to step into a fresh tank with Bandor, who is now becoming quite pale and thin before she spoke.
"There... he's in there..."
"Not anymore."
With that, Xarnas tore into the tank and broke Bandor out as he rasped and had difficulty breathing before Xarnas carried him and the Altean with him outside. As they got closer to the ships, however, when the other Altean was strapped in, Bandor spoke up as he could barely stand up from where he was set down by Xarnas.
"W-Wait! The others! They need to know...! The colony...! Romelle...!"
"I've told your friend before, I can't take anyone else with me."
"No, listen. I need to take a pod to the colony. They must know the truth..."
"Look at the state of you, boy. In a condition like that, you won't be able to warn one soul before you meet your maker."
"Not quite... I have this."
With that, Bandor showed Xarnas his custom communicator as he widened his eyes before he spoke.
"So that's where the unauthorized communication came from. Well, I'm glad you've kept it. I'm just sorry I couldn't help you."
"You already have..."
With that, Bandor began to run limping towards a pod before he went in and went for the Quantum Abyss, much to Lotor's surprise as he got the news from one of his scientists.
"Prince Lotor, there's a Galra fighter on the premises. And one of the subjects is headed for the Quantum Abyss."
As Lotor saw both vessels on the monitor, he became ghastly frightened. First, a Galra vessel had found them, and now a pod's headed towards the Quantum Abyss. If that fighter follows him...
"No... go after that fighter! I'll check on the pod!"
With that, Xarnas took off from the base while he had the Altean in tow before he found himself under fire from the other fighters as he spoke.
"You monsters will not get away with this!"
With that, Xarnas swerved upward before he managed to shoot down the fighters from behind, ensuring that he and the Altean were safe before he looked to her while setting it on autopilot. As he gazed at her, Xarnas carried her in his arms before he sat down on the chair, looking to the stars before showing Romelle in her house alone on the bed with the communicator on the nightstand while Xarnas narrated.
"While it was true that the Galra were despicable on their own, none of the officers I worked with held a candle to the monstrosity I witnessed. Romelle saw it as no better, either."
Suddenly, the communicator began beeping before she picked it up and heard Bangor's weak voice.
"Bandor!"
"Romelle... you were right."
"Where are you?"
"The forest outside town. Hurry..."
Later, Romelle ran to the forest where she saw a smoking crater and a breach in a barrier above her before seeing the crashed pod and the weak Bandor before running to him and lifting him up before she spoke.
"Bandor!"
"Lotor... the other colony... it's all a lie."
With that, Bandor gave his last breath before he ceased to breathe any more, making Romelle saddened as she held him close.
"No..."
It was also at this moment when she heard Lotor's voice.
"Over here."
With that, Romelle took her cue to hide before Lotor and two armed scientists went with him before he spoke.
"Clean up the wreckage. Leave no evidence this ever happened."
With that, Romelle took off from the crater as Lotor had a disheartened look for a moment before replacing it with that of determination.
The next morning, Romelle stood to face the stature once again, but this time, it wasn't out of questioning but of hate and malice towards him, followed by a determination to expose him as a fraud he is.
"My brother was dead. I knew the truth, or at least part of it, but I also knew that no one would believe me without proof."
Later, Romelle was seen to be washing up by the river as she gunned before she heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Keith, Sandra, Krolia, Xarnas, the Rogue Thrust, the space wolf, and Xanthia as Xarnas spoke to her.
"Calm yourself, Altean. We come in peace."
With that, Romelle stood up as she faced them before they were in her house with Adea on top of Xanthia as she narrated before Keith spoke up.
"When Keith, Sandra, and the others arrived, they were my last chance at finding it. I told them what happened to my brother, and as it turned out, so many Alteans that had been taken before him. As they explained their mission to me, as well as Xarnas' daughter, we knew there must have been a connection between the missing Alteans and the pure strain of Quintessence."
"Given your brother's weakened state, he couldn't have piloted this ship for very long. The other colony has to be somewhere nearby."
This made Adea curious before Krolia answered her.
"But that could mean anything. What could possibly be nearby?"
"There is a moon orbiting this planet that could house a colony."
Hearing this, Xarnas widened his eyes before he spoke.
"Now that you mention it... I do seem to recall finding this other colony when I rescued Xanthia."
This made the whole group widen their eyes before Romelle spoke.
"You... you saved Xanthia? Where is she?!"
"Right here. Although, that colony didn't transform her into this. An unfortunate series of events have made it occur, as I've told you."
Hearing this, Adea began to realize why she was adopted: she was never Galra to begin with.
"Wait... you're saying that Xanthia's—"
"An Altean? Yes."
For a while the group gasped in surprise before Adea looked at her and spoke before Lapis and Keith.
"Huh. I did not expect that."
"But it would make sense. That would explain why she's hated the Galra."
"Well, whatever happened there, it's our only lead. But how will we get there with the Violet Lion out of commission?"
Romelle knew what to do about that as she spoke up to them.
"I have an idea."
As the group walked outside, Romelle explained her idea to them.
"These transports haven't been used in generations. None of the Alteans in the colony would know how to fly one, even if we desired to."
With that, Keith gave a smile before he spoke.
"I think I got us covered there."
This made Lapis speak up about their own transport.
"Well, I know how you guys are going, but what about the rest of us?"
Adea has a curious idea spark in her mind as she turned to Xanthia.
"I think I got us covered, too."
With that, the Violet Lion and the pod headed for the moon with Xanthia on top of it as she powered it up with her hands before they took notice of the base on the moon as Krolia and Xarnas spoke.
"There's something down there."
"That's the one. Prepare to land."
With that, they landed by the base before running into it. As they did, they noticed a closed door blocking the way before Xarnas used his luxite blade to pierce into the wedge and pry it open before the whole group went in. As they looked around, Luzria began to get chills while Atchiam felt petrified.
"Is anyone else getting cold in here?"
"If by cold, you mean terrified."
And Atchiam was right to feel that way. When Romelle saw a tank with a being inside, she wiped the frost from the cold climate away before seeing a familiar face and grew scared as she spoke.
"No! Petrulius! What's happening to them? These people were supposed to be headed to the colony!"
As they looked around, the truth dawned onto Keith as he spoke up.
"Lotor is harvesting their Quintessence."
Then, unexpectedly, they heard Komar's voice reply to them as he spoke.
"Of course he is. This is the true purpose of the colony."
When the group turned, they saw Komar in front of them as he glared at them before Krolia and Xarnas spoke to him.
"Komar..."
"So, couldn't stand another minute of isolation?"
"Not anymore... not since Haggar stole this concept from me, and Honerva's son managed to find it and repurpose it. It's sickening how much delight they find in taking from me."
This made Xanthia growl before roaring as Adea grew concerned.
"Xanthia, wait!"
When she tried to attack, however, Komar vanished before he reappeared as he spoke.
"So... you're the source of my returning youth. Sad to say as it is, I'll have to take your Quintessence."
With that, Komar got out his siphon before he fired it at Xanthia as Adea grew worried.
"No!"
As a result, however, Xanthia's body began to shrink as did her extra arms before her skin color changed and her jagged teeth went back to normal as she regained her blue eyes and fell unconscious as Adea widened her eyes in surprise before she and Xarnas ran over to her and checked her to notice her Altean features as well as the blue markings before she spoke.
"She's... back to normal?"
"She is... and unconscious at that. It'll be a while before she wakes up. Still..."
As Adea checked up on her, Xarnas glared at Komar as he spoke.
"What have you done?"
"What you could not, Xarnas. I cured her of her condition. But more importantly, I've found the necessary Quintessence to regain the damaged cells I've lost."
As he said this, Krolia began to realize his true goal.
"Is that why the Alteans are here? To make sure you've regained your essence?!"
"I'm afraid you're mistaken, Krolia. These Alteans' Quintessence can't even hold a candle to the stockpile I've just siphoned. I knew that it alone was the key to regaining my cells that you robbed me of on Earth. Besides, even I didn't know about it until you've brought me here. So really, I should thank you on both counts."
While he said this with a glare towards her, Lapis spoke up about their suspect as Xarnas glared at Komar.
"How do we know he's telling the truth?"
"We don't. But so far, given how Lotor is farming their Quitessence, it checks out. And while that may be the case, that doesn't mean he gets to go free."
Komar only gave a smirk as he spoke.
"Of course. I would expect nothing less..."
At the Castle, Coran couldn't believe the story they've heard as he, Jenny, Lance, Keith, and Ayame spoke.
"That's horrifying."
"All this time..."
"So many good people... just rotting away like that."
"I can't believe he fooled us."
"He's a monster."
"No. I don't believe you, Komar. You've got to be lying."
Komar only gave her a smirk as he spoke.
"Oh, Xaira. I thought we agreed not to lie to each other."
As he said this, Ayame couldn't take the news anymore than she could stand. First, Zarkon committed horrible acts against the universe, and now her half-brother is doing the same? None of it was acceptable for her.
"Excuse me. I need some time to myself."
As Ayame walked out, Keith glared at Komar as he spoke.
"I don't know what you're really up to, but if you hurt anyone, you'll answer to me."
"Consider it noted."
With that, Keith went out of the hub and found Ayame in the hall shedding tears about the news before Keith spoke.
"Hey, calm down, Ayame."
"How can I? Lotor harvested those Alteans, and I helped him! How is any of that okay?!"
As Ayame wept at this, Keith gave her a hug in return for the hug he gave her when he arrived before he spoke.
"It wasn't your fault. You just didn't know. No one can blame you for that."
While feeling the warmth of Keith's arms, Ayame nestled her head against his chest as she sighed before they heard an alarm from the hub as Coran noticed this.
"They're back."
Seeing this, Romelle saw an opportunity to strike Lotor, regardless of Allura and Alphus' presence and in desperate need of vengeance.
"What are you waiting for? Open fire!"
Babak, naturally, had to vie against it, as did Cilia.
"Out of the question!"
"Princess Allura and Alphus are in there!"
At the same moment, Hunk grew afraid of what they have to do as he and Babak spoke up.
"We're gonna let him back onboard."
"We must. As long as the princess and Alphus are with him, we can't risk any sort of attack unless we don't have a conscience, like one of us in this room."
This made Komar snarl as he spoke.
"I can't help but feel I'm insulted."
Despite this, Shiro spoke in their favor.
"Babak and Cilia are right. We can't do anything until they're safe. Once Allura and Alphus are secure, we will take Lotor down."
In the hangar bay, Lotor held his hand for Allura while he and Alphus went down before he spoke to the Princess.
"We accomplished something amazing today, and it would've never happened had it not been for you."
"It is a moment I will never truly forget."
As they gazed in each other's eyes, Allura and Lotor leaned in towards each other's faces before they each had the other a kiss on the lips as Alphus smiled before she spoke up.
"Okay. Let's go tell them the good news."
When they got to the hub, however, Allura, Alphus, and Lotor were surprised to see Coran and the Paladins standing in place as if they were expecting an enemy. Allura grew confused about the reason for this as she spoke.
"What's going on?"
In response, Keith, Ayame, Komar, Xarnas, and Krolia filled the circle and trapped Lotor, Allura, and Alphus with Lapis, Rogue Thrust, Belle, and Romelle closing the gap alongside Babak, Cilia, and Sapphire (who bore a look of fierce determination) as Jenny spoke to Allura and Alphus.
"Guys, step away from Lotor."
"I will do no such thing!"
"Jenny, what's going on here?"
As an answer, they heard the voice of Romelle, shocking Lotor as he widened his eyes before the two grew shocked.
"Lotor is a monster and has been harvesting Divine Altean Quintessence for generations!"
This made Allura and Alphus surprised to see Romelle before the former spoke up first as they turned to Lotor who showed a saddened, guilty look.
"An Altean!"
"Lotor, what did you do?"
To answer, Romelle and Pidge spoke for him.
"You killed my brother and thousands of others!"
"Lotor's been lying to us the whole time! He's a murderer, just like his father!"
As Lotor tried to explain, Komar took his cue to speak up.
"You know nothing about you speak!"
"Don't they?! You do not get to speak for them, Lotor! Not now they know your secret!"
This made Allura worried before she spoke to him while Komar continued to splotch his reputation for the worst.
"What are they talking about?"
"To think Kaecilius always spoke of mortals' crimes when what you've done is far worse! You've turned the Alteans into glorified batteries!"
"Allura, listen to me. I've dedicated my life to preserving Altean culture. Now that we've unlocked the Quintessence field, all of your people, who would've been hunted down long ago had it not been for my intervention, can live in peace. Were some lives lost in the process? Yes. But they were martyrs to a noble cause."
Komar interrupted Lotor with another rant as he shouted.
"OPEN YOUR EYES! As much as it pains me to say this, Kaecilius was right about one thing. You are a vile sinner! You got enable and inspired the Galra!"
"I sacrificed a few to preserve the future for millions."
"You helped to light the flame of his so-called Justice! You helped to launch the Komar Experiment! So the next time you mourn your people, remember they're dead because of YOU!"
"Allura, do not let him ruin everything we've worked for. Think about what we experienced in the Quintessence field."
The moment she heard this, Allura widened her eyes before she gripped his hand on her shoulder before slamming him to the floor, making Lotor pass out before he fell unconscious as Allura shed tears at this betrayal before Alphus found herself in disbelief.
"Why would he do this?"
Before anyone can answer, they received another alarm, seeing Ezor, Zethrid, and Acxa moving in as Adea spoke up.
"Guys, it's Ezor and the others! They're here!"
Hunk can already assume what they're here for as he spoke before Lapis got confused on where they came from.
"Lotor's troops. They're stealing the ships!"
"But how did they find us?"
At the same moment, Shiro began to suffer an incredible headache as he placed his hands on his head and knelt down before Belle spoke up before Ayame.
"Shiro!"
"Are you okay?"
Shiro could only grunt in response before he heard Haggar's voice speaking to him.
"Give in. You cannot resist..."
As Shiro groaned, Coran grew worried about what's going on as he spoke to Belle.
"What's happening to him?"
"I don't know. That's what I'm trying to find out."
Suddenly, the scene changed to show Haggar in front of him as she spoke again.
"You are mine now... give in!"
With that, Shiro's pupils began to glow light purple, making Belle widen her eyes in realization as Lance.
"Allura, Alphus, Jenny, and I will secure Lotor. Hunk, Lapis, Ayame, Belle, help Shiro. Everyone else, get down to the hangar and stop those guys!"
As the group took off, Hunk noticed Shiro growling before he tried to check on him.
"Shiro?"
At that moment, he looked at him with a vicious look before Belle spoke to him.
"Hunk, get away from Shiro before you—"
However, it was too late as Shiro tossed Hunk at Babak and Coran, sending them flying before Lance spoke to him.
"Shiro, what are you—?"
As an answer, he viciously turned to Lance and punched him before Jenny shouted out of worry.
"Lance!"
As Jenny went to him, Komar have a chuckle before he spoke.
"It seems Lotor wasn't the only traitor..."
As he vanished, Shiro got out his bayard and changed it before chucking it at Allura, who dodged it and landed near Romelle and Alphus before he beat them down and focused on Jenny as she closed her eyes and gasped as she graced for the worst, only for Belle to stop his attack with her robot arm before she and Ayame spoke.
"Shiro! Snap out of it!"
"Why are you doing this?!"
As an answer, Shiro gave Belle a sucker punch before flipping her to the floor as he lunged at Ayame and beat her down with his fist before he proceeded to attack Jenny only for Haggar to speak to him.
"You will bring her to me alive. Her and Lotor are all that I need."
With that, he hesitated to throw his punch as Jenny saw him struggling.
"Shiro. I know it's you in there. I know my sis saw something in you. And I believe her. Please, stop this."
However, Jenny was proven to be wrong as she was immediately sucker punched in the gut, making her double over before she spoke softly.
"Why...?"
As she passed out, Shiro picked her up in his shoulder before doing the same for Lotor as he walked out with Alphus and Allura seeing them walking out with the former having a look of fear over her.
"No...! Jenny!"
Meanwhile, in the hangar, they arrived just in time to see the Comet ship take off before Atchiam spoke up.
"We're too late!"
At that same moment, they noticed another ship hovering before Adea noticed Ezor inside as the both of them had a look of longing over them.
"Ezor..."
"Adea?"
That moment didn't last long, however, as Ezor put on a look of anger and opened fire on the group before Adea used her wrist communicator to hack into the ship's comma and spoke with her as she opened fire before Adea tried to reach out to her.
"Ezor, why are you doing this?!"
"It's not like I have a choice! I don't want to be taken out!"
"Taken out? By who?"
Realizing she's said too much, Ezor gasped before she shut off the comms and went out of the hangar, leaving Adea saddened before they noticed Shiro with Jenny and Lotor on his shoulder as she spoke.
"Huh? What the...?"
At that moment, Allura spoke up to the Paladins via comms.
"Shiro's gone mad! He's escaping with Jenny and Lotor! Stop him before he gets to the ship!"
Seeing this, Pidge ran out to the hangar as Shiro placed Lotor on a seat first before placing Jenny on top of him before jumping in himself as Pidge prepared to fire at the pod, only to meet Shiro's cold gaze as the visor went down and the pod took off as Haggar's voice congratulated him.
"Good. Now bring them to me..."
Meanwhile, in the hangar, Ayame and Belle caught up to Keith and the others before Luzria spoke up.
"You're too late. Lotor's troops took off, and Shiro went off with Jenny and Lotor. What's the plan now?"
Keith had an idea as he spoke to the others via comms.
"We need to stay focused. Hunk, Lance, Allura, Alphus, Lapis, can you still Pilot your Lions?"
"Yeah, I'll manage."
"We've got this."
"I think so."
"It has to be done."
"Oh, yeah. I'm ready."
"Then let's go. If we're gonna fight Lotor's ships, we need Voltron."
Pidge only saw one problem with that.
"Shiro's gone. Who's gonna pilot the Black Lion?"
"I will."
As Keith walked away, Ayame and Belle stopped him as they spoke.
"Keith, wait. We're going with you in the Black Lion."
"Shiro has my sister in there. And we want to save both of them as much as you do."
"Okay."
With that, the Trio got in their Paladin armor before they made a break for the Black Lion as it came online and roared.
Outside, the Sincline ships were flying in formation along with the pod before they suddenly came under siege from the Lions as they fired their lasers before the Black Lion focused in on the pod and Athens group inside spoke to him.
"Shiro, it's Keith!"
"And Ayame!"
"And Belle, too. Listen, I've been under someone's control before. It's gonna be okay. We just need to—"
However, before Belle could speak any further, Shiro cut off the feed before they received an alarm as the Paladins sent their alarms.
"I can't shake them!"
"Keith!"
"Help!"
Left with no other choice, Keith went back to the Sincline ships as they fired at the Lions with one of them successfully hitting Hunk before Lance got hit while Allura and Alphus managed to evade it and Pidge got hit just before Lapis arrived in the Violet Lion where in the cockpit, Adea held onto the unconscious Xanthia as she spoke softly.
"Oh, this is gonna hurt..."
As the Sincline ship fired, however, its weapon was interrupted by Keith who flew in the Black Lion with Ayame and Belle as his copilots before he spoke.
"Guys, were no match for them in our lions. Form Voltron!"
With that, while the main lions combined into Voltron, the White and Violet Lions transformed and stood ready to face the Sincline ships as they and Shiro glared at the opposing side.