Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron, and I make no money off of this.
Chapter 3: The Grinch
"Uh, what's a grinch?" Allura pondered.
"It's a children's story about a green monster who tries to destroy Christmas." Hunk's reply was horror stricken.
"I can't believe that bastard Lotor even knew about the story," Lance said.
Suddenly, a vision emerged on their com displays. An elegant, stately blue face with high cheekbones, long pointed nose and elongated ears wearing a pristine tailored suit in black and white and sporting a black top hat greeted the pilots with a small grin. "Good evening, Voltron Force! Some of my spies back on Terra have reported a curious phenomenon that happens this time every year, and thus I have done extensive research into your holiday. I, too, would like to join in the festivities, so I brought you a present. Happy Holidays! In the spirit of giving and gift-exchange, I would be delighted to accept Princess Allura as my largesse. Otherwise, I'm afraid your cities will turn to coal by morning. A bit of a 'Ba Humbug' attitude, don't you think?" It dawned on Lance and Keith that Lotor's clothes were styled in the late 18th century Victorian era.
"What, two story references?! Give it a rest already. You could have saved one for next year."
Keith rubbed his temples in annoyance. "Unfortunately, we only have the ghost of King Alfor, and even then I don't think images of past and future Christmases will be enough to change his mind. Sorry, Lotor, this is one gift we'll be returning unopened."
Lotor's face soured. "I grow weary of this continued defiance, Voltron Commander. I'll be sending you to the prisons soon enough." With that, he cut the link.
"All right, team, let's take out this thing. Lance finish off the last fighter. The rest of you, come with me."
Four lions leapt at the robeast. The Grinch lashed at Green Lion who deftly dodged and landed strikes on the robeast's arm. Hunk got in a good bite to the stomach, while Keith and Allura fired their guns at its head but those just bounced off the hat. The attack enraged the creature. It sent streams of shiny, silver metal at Yellow and Blue Lions.
"It's trying to trap us in tinsel," Hunk stated while his lion ripped the strands apart.
More metal was sent Black Lion's way. Keith opened up its mouth and poured fire on the incoming attack. The tinsel went up in a puff of smoke like incense. "Okay, fire works on the tinsel. Lance, we're going to need your help." Red Lion's specialty came from the volcanic fire around its resting place.
"I'm done with that last fighter. Sorry you guys missed the dogfight; it was good. On my way."
In the meantime, Blue and Green Lions had been busy firing missiles at the monster to no avail. "Its skin is impenetrable with normal gunfire or physical attacks. I'm not reading any structural damage at all," informed Pidge.
The robeast took out rotating saw blades and began lunging at the lions. Most avoided the blows but Yellow Lion took a glancing strike.
"Ow!"
"Hunk, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just shaken a little and dented."
"We'll fix you back up," said Pidge. "Nice of you to join us, Red."
In response, Lance sent fire arrows the Grinch's way, but those only managed to singe its fur. "No luck there either."
Enraged further by this latest attack, the robeast sent more tinsel out in all directions. Black Lion burned through the lines in front of him. Yellow , Red, and Green Lions slashed through theirs. Blue Lion, getting caught in the densest section of the web, was not so lucky.
"Princess! Lance, try to get her out. Hunk and Pidge, see if we can get anything past its eyes or mouth."
"Roger!"
Lance flew over to the princess and started tearing off metal strips.
Pidge jumped on the monster's head and tried clawing into the eyeballs. The creature's high-pitched scream pierced the air, pain shooting through everyone's head. Pidge clamped his hands over his ears.
Hunk and Keith tried sending missiles into the robeast's mouth, but its teeth chomped down on them, seemingly enjoying the taste.
"Team, this isn't having any effect. Pull back and form Voltron. Lance, distract it with a fire torch," Keith ordered.
Everyone did as instructed. The commander initiated the sequence to begin Voltron formation. "Activate interlocks." All the members pressed respective buttons on their control panels. "Dynotherms connected." Practiced hands flew over the controls while dark brown eyes watched the read-out. "Infracells up." Energy climbed as power cells warmed and sparks crackled in the cockpit. "Megathrusters are go." Full startup sequence completed.
"Go Voltron Force!"
Five lions soared into the sky, colored bands radiating behind them. Lightening flashed all around, protecting the robots from harm. As Keith yelled out the formation, the lions transmuted and connected. The result was the fabled warrior, Voltron, defender of justice, mighty and proud.
"All right, let's end this quickly. Form Blazing Sword!"
Red and Green Lions, now Right and Left Arms, touched in front of Voltron's body. Massive energy waves glimmered in between the hands as they parted and hardened into a huge blade. As Voltron lifted it for a downwards strike, the lions roared their approval.
As the blade came swinging down, the Grinch took off its red hat. It whipped the cap towards the sword, catching it in mid-strike, and twirled around the shaft like a chain. The two fighters strained against each other until the robeast kicked Voltron in the chest, yanking the blade out of Lance's hand. The mighty warrior went hurling backwards into the countryside as the sword disintegrated.
"Dammit, this doesn't look good," Lance said.
"This doesn't FEEL good," moaned Pidge.
While lying on his back in the dirt, staring at the Grinch as it put its hat back on, Hunk got an idea. He started pacing through menus on his console until he found just what he was looking for, then piped it into the external feed.
Cheery music started sounding from Yellow Lion and a deep voice commenced singing:
Fah who foraze, dah who doraze,
Welcome, Christmas, come this way.
Fah who foraze, dah who doraze,
Welcome, Christmas, Christmas Day!
"Hunk, are you sure you're feeling alright?" Keith asked.
The Grinch, who had started forward to press the attack, paused in uncertainty. It tilted its head to listen.
Pidge spoke up, "Hey, maybe he's on to something." He also began playing the music and singing along.
"You both have gone batty!" Lance stated incredulously.
At the combined voices, the monster began shaking its head trying to dispel the noise.
"It may be crazy, Lance, but I think it's working." Keith too entered the chorus.
Soon all five members were singing the tune loudly over the landscape. Stars twinkled above in time to the rhythm. The wind even danced around them. By now the robeast had grabbed his ears and was screaming in agony. Within a few minutes, pressure had built up internally so that it exploded outward in a huge gooey mess.
"Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle," Lance mused. "Looks like the heart grew two sizes too big. I thought that only worked in the movie."
"We still have two transports and those command ships to deal with," the ever-practical commander stated. But, upon inspection, the Drule ships were nowhere to be found. "Coran, can you locate those ships?"
"Yes, Captain, they left the planet's atmosphere moments ago, after the music began."
"I guess it was too much holiday cheer for Lotor," quipped Lance.
"Time to call it a night, team." The group enthusiastically agreed, disbanded and returned to the castle.
Upon returning to castle control, Coran congratulated the team. "I have no idea what actually happened out there, but I'm glad you found and exploited the robeast's weakness."
"Thanks go entirely to Hunk," said Keith seriously.
Hunk looked sheepish. "Oh, it was nothing. We all saw earlier that its skin was impenetrable from the outside, so we needed to hit it from the inside. I then noticed that its screech sent disruptions through all of us. I figured to turn its tactic back on itself."
"Well, however it was accomplished, good work, Voltron Force."
They all smiled tiredly and headed out of the control room.
"What are we going to do now?" Pidge was perky and wide-awake. Youth.
"Feel free to sit in the lounge listening to Christmas carols. The hot cocoa will be very cold by now, but if you dare, you can go wake Nanny to make you some more. Personally, it's late; we've all had a lot of stress lately, and we all got roughed up a bit out there. We need some good sleep to be fully functional again. Besides, Santa can't come if your eyes are still open." Keith's eyes sparkled at that last sentence.
"Who's Santa? Why is he coming?" Allura felt this was another Christmas riddle.
"Oh, he's a big guy in a red suit who comes secretly at night to deliver toys to all the good little girls and boys!" Pidge answered excitedly.
"Well, I guess that leaves you out, uh, squirt?" teased Lance.
"Hey!"
Allura giggled. Lance never stopped.
"The kids leave milk and cookies out for Santa, so I better go see to that. Wouldn't want to disappointment the old man." Hunk waved to his friends and headed back to the kitchen.
The others acknowledged their tiredness so they called it a night.
Keith walked the princess back to her rooms. "Your Highness, wake up early tomorrow and meet us all in the lounge again. That way you'll see the other half of Christmas." Keith tried to maintain his calm formality but couldn't help it as a little nervousness entered his stance. He hoped she would agree.
"Oh, of course, Keith. I would love to continue with your celebration." Allura gazed at her commander with appreciation. "Thank you, and Lance and the rest, for inviting me. Its seems like a wonderful holiday; although I'm not sure what part this Grinch character plays in it."
Keith smiled and chuckled silently. "If you knew the rest of the story, it would make a lot more sense. Maybe I'll read it to you tomorrow."
"That sounds perfect. Good night, Captain."
"Good night, Princess."
Author's Note: Hope you're still enjoying it. One more chapter to go!