The Cryon IV Incident, Episode 4: The Battle on Arus
by Papa Palpatine 2008
Notice: All characters of the Voltron franchise are copyrighted by someone else, don't sue me. Do not mix with alcohol; do not operate heavy machinery while taking. See our ad in...
Alright, alright, on will Chapter 4...
Lazon blasts crackled through the Arusian sky like lightening. Missiles burst into bright orange fireballs all around the four Voltron Lions and the Doom attack fleet alike. The explosions rocked the Red Lion, despite Lance's deft maneuvering. Sweat was already rolling into his eyes beneath his helmet's visor, and his heart beat was pounding away in his skull like a jackhammer. On his screen, he could see the others weren't faring much better.
The Robeast de jour, a gigantic creature that looked like a rabid, plum-colored squirrel with exposed cybernetic components—not to mention a set of metal jaws that could chomp through the Caste of Lions's walls in a single bite, had already sent Pidge and the Green Lion hurling into the next providence over. Yellow Lion was on the monster's back, vainly trying to bite through the armor at its neck. Black Lion was latched onto the massive, bushy purple tail; hanging on for dear life as the Robeast swung it around in overlapping figure eights.
"Keith, if you've got a halfway decent game plan you can pull out of your ass, now would be a good time..." He shouted into his com. "...because we're getting ours handed to us on a silver platter!"
I don't know Mister Wiseass, maybe you could try getting YOUR butt over here and giving that thing a face full of magma, assuming that's not too much trouble for you…Keith thought. His teeth were gritted and his eyelids clinched tightly closed as he held a white-knuckle grip on the controls. His stomach was on verge of going into "reverse gear," and introducing the bacon, eggs, and Captain Crunch he'd had for breakfast to every surface in the Black Lion's cockpit.
"You know, it'd be nice if the dearly-departed King Alfor would grace us with his ghostly presence and give us some helpful hints." Hunk said through grunts of pain as he was bucked back and forth in his chair. "I mean what the hell? Is he on the john over in…whatever spiritual realm he's in?"
"I heard that, you insolent little…" An otherworldly voice growled from the Great Beyond. In his mind, Hunk heard the distinct sound of a toilet flushing and someone jiggling the handle…
Meanwhile, in the cockpit of the Green Lion, Pidge was desperately trying to pull his lion ship out of its spin before it hit the ground hard…
Cossack stood laughing and holding his sides as he watched the four mechanical lions struggled with Hagger's newest toy. To think, the members of the "Mighty Voltron Force" were about to meet their maker at the hands of something as silly-looking as a giant, purple squirrel. And all while their precious Princess Pinky was trapped on Cryon IV with His Royal Heinousness. He sat down and thought about having one of those tin cans that crewed his battleship bring him up a hot dog and a bag of popcorn from the galley, but decided the show would be over long before he even got to enjoy them. He grinned malevolently and put his hands behind his horned helmet. Oh well…
Hagger sat in her chair opposite him, cackling like the Wicked Witch from Oz and lovingly stroking the blue cat that lay across her lap; purring drowsily. She remembered King Zarkon saying he'd marry her if one of her creations ever succeeded in defeating the stalwart defenders of Arus. Even though it was said in sarcasm, she felt it would be well within her rights to hold him to that promise nonetheless…
Back in Castle Doom's throne room, Zarkon and Merla both chortled as they watched the live video feed of the battle between his military forces and the Voltron Lions. Even Merla's buzzard-like pet let out a mocking caw from its perch as it gazed at the screen with them.
The Black Lion had smashed hard into the side of a mountain; Keith was out for the count. Yellow Lion was lying motionless on the ground, rolled over on its side while inside it an unconscious Hunk was doubled over in his chair. As for Pidge and Green Lion, they had, ironically, plowed through a forest of pine trees before coming to a rest. The youngest member of the Voltron Force was sprawled on the floor in his cockpit; helmet off, glasses askew, and a nasty bump on his forehead. Naturally, none of them could hear Lance's desperate attempts to get them on the com.
The Red Lion stood alone between the castle and the Robeast. Staring down the deceptively farcical-looking creature, Lance thought grimly to himself: So this is what it comes down to? Just me, one lion ship against this thing? I am SO screwed…
Coran and Nanny watched the main screen in silent despair. Nanny leaned heavily against the command console. Gods save those poor, brave boys…
To Be Continued…