Pinky, Voltron & the Brain

A Crossover Literary Work of Shameless Fandom

By KittyLynne and The Bandit

Chapter 6

The Brain gazed in wonder at the rejuvenated Big Suit and his mind filled with superlatives. He walked around the entire vessel, and then stood back to survey it, then walked around it again, marveling at the awesome battle warrior mecha guise his creation had become.

A mighty feat of engineering. A masterpiece of design. Perfection.

And best of all, it had a mechanical head now! His two benefactors had assumed the old one had been destroyed, and of course the mouse couldn't dispute that unless he talked. In addition to the head proper, it had four more heads, one at the end of every extremity in addition to the one above the shoulders. It pleased him to no end that the one called Hunk had suggested that the five heads carry The Brain's fearsome, scowling likeness (although the big man had remarked in an aside to Pidge that the sight of Mr. Noggin's mug would scare the enemy without having to fire a shot, and his friend had laughingly agreed).

The Brain, blissfully unaware of this exchange, had privately reveled in the fact that, even though his actual person would now be under wraps, his noble brow would still be visible to his adoring public.

All of the 'Large Noggins', as Pidge referred to them, (much to the Brain's displeasure) also had the capability of detaching and forming into independent, pod- like ships, although the extremities themselves couldn't separate due to lack of proper materials and time.

The paint on the cyborg's suit had been changed from a loud brown and gold plaid to a more subtle shade of gray, with pinstripes. The ecru shirt, maroon tie, and a hanky embroidered with the Royal Crest of Arus added stylish panache to the contraption. Hunk and Pidge had installed several advanced weaponry systems that the megalomaniac mouse was terribly anxious to get his paws on, plus a communications and tracking system that was second to none.

The mouse genius smiled in appreciation of the effort that had been put forth by his companions. It was a joy working with individuals that understood all aspects of mechanical and electrical engineering. Yes, The Brain had to admit that these two humans had been especially resourceful and clever in giving his creation such limitless possibilities. Too bad they wouldn't go for serving a Benevolent Despot, otherwise he could have offered them both paid positions with good benefits once he'd established his empire on Earth.

The Brain's brow furrowed as he considered the idea. Come to think of it, they might actually be open to such an offer- from what he could tell, they worked for room and board, and with all the Doom raids and RoBeasts stomping on people, he doubted they even qualified for affordable life or medical insurance. They never bought anything and always wore the same clothes day after day on their show. Certainly they'd give some consideration to a tempting proposition to steal them away from their current employers?

They could be very useful with their knowledge that surpassed what was presently available on Earth as far as space travel went. It would be worth the trouble to take them with, even if the young one was mouthy and a bit of a grandstander. Pinky would help distract the boy with his inanities once they'd revealed their true identities. It would be amusing to see if Pidge would tolerate the silly, verbal ticks. A few days of living with those incessant poits, zorts and narfs, and the lad would be seeking an asylum...

The Brain chuckled to himself, then sighed, unexpectedly missing his zany cohort at this pivotal moment. ~I wonder where Pinky got himself off to, and if he's pondering the same things I am?~

He decided after further seconds of reflection that it was premature for him to ponder any staff decisions until he got to test-drive the Big Suit. There were bound to be glitches that would need his full attention, and everything needed to be fully operational for The Plan to succeed.

~Your name shall be Braintron, and you shall be mine.~ The mouse genius thought with elation. ~With your power, I will achieve my goal of taking over the world at long last. You are destined to become a global phenomenon, and a mighty Champion for all ages!~

The Brain was so enthralled with their handiwork, so wrapped up in his vision come to life, that he didn't so much as flinch when the alarms went off. Klaxons blared and running footsteps could be heard in the outer corridors. Someone shouted right outside the door. The Brain didn't twitch or give any sign that he heard.

"Something's going down!" Hunk boomed. "Gotta go!"

Not waiting for permission, the Big Guy reached out one beefy hand and scooped the bemused mouse off the worktable.

The Brain came to life, struggling, and then subsiding with a glare.

"Sorry, Noggie old boy, but duty is calling, and we have to answer!" His captor said as he slid Brain into his vest's inner pocket. "Stay with me, I'll get you to safety!"

~NO! This can't be happening!~ The Brain shouted silently. So close, so close to his objective, and then... he looked at his tiny watch resignedly. ~Of course, should have known, we are getting to the part of the story in which our customary bout with unmitigated failure begins to loom on the horizon. I wonder what Pinky Banderas has done this time to foul up The Plan. The vastness of deep space has nothing on the gap between that boy's ears!~

The Brain was pulled from his despair, and grunted as he was jostled and bounced into the rock hard body of the Yellow Lion pilot, who was now running full tilt to answer the emergency summons. ~Ow! This fellow is a lot fitter than he looks-oof! The Princess was a much more comfortable ride!~

He crouched low in the vest pocket, immersed in a sulk...but stopped as he realized that they were probably headed for the castle's Control Center. All was not lost, maybe this little emergency wouldn't be such a waste of time after all, if he could get a first hand look at the inner sanctum of the Voltron Force!

Five minutes later In Castle Control found Keith and Allura already standing behind Coran at the Ops panel when the rest of the team entered the main computer room.

One look at the Princess and Hunk knew something truly terrible must have happened. Her features were pale and set, and her eyes were glistening with tears that she was refusing to let run onto her cheeks. Keith looked stern and foreboding with his thick black brows pulled down over blazing eyes. Coran was quickly punching information into the computer and frowning worriedly.

"Is it Lotor again?" The Yellow Lion pilot blurted out.

"The Blue Cat was here and it accosted the Princess," Keith stated grimly.

"Uh-oh...that means another Doom plot is underway." Hunk rasped, while crossing his muscular forearms firmly across his bulging pectorals. Thank goodness the Princess was okay, and he hoped that darn cat would choke on a hairball.

He gave a start as he felt one bulge start to move violently and sheepishly pulled out a glaring large headed mouse. "Oops! Sorry Noggie, I forgot you were there!"

~Imbecile! You almost crushed me! What were you thinking? That's right- you weren't!~ The Brain snarled silently.

"Sheesh, I said I was sorry, Noggin!" Hunk addressed the glowering mouse, as he set The Brain on one brawny shoulder. "Get over it now, we got bigger fish to fry!"

The Brain subsided, but fumed as he sat. That name! He loathed the sound of it! Why couldn't Pinky have introduced him as 'the Iconoclast' like he was supposed to? The thought of hearing that moniker for the rest of their stay was almost enough to make him rethink his vow of silence...

Almost.

~It will take more than hatred of a ridiculous nickname to get me to jeopardize The Plan! Sticks and Stones, and all that.~

With renewed resolution, The Brain turned his full attention to his Hostess.

She seemed quite agitated, if one could judge by her wildly gesturing arms, high- pitched tone and heaving bosom.

"They've kidnapped Antonio. He tried to defend me against that horrible cat and it grabbed him took off in a space coffin ship." Allura's voice shook with emotion. "We tracked it; it has gone all the way back to Planet Doom! We have to do something to save him!"

~Pinky...Pinky has gone to Planet Doom?~ The Brain's eyes widened in horrified comprehension of the situation. ~If I remember correctly, that's where the Voltron Force' s sworn enemies, the fish eared guy and the son of a fish eared guy live, along with some sort of witch!

It was inconceivable! But it had happened- the Princess had seen it! The witch's fiendish feline familiar had mousenapped his best friend and carried him into the heart of pure evil.

"That wicked piece of work probably thought our guest was one of Princess' pets, and took him in for interrogation." Lance offered. "Either that, or he was tired of canned space rations."

"Oh no! Don't say that Lance!" The Princess closed her eyes in anguish. "This is all my fault. If I had just kept the door shut..."

In a voice shaking with emotion, she relayed exactly what had happened to the shaken Brain and her teammates.

"Don't blame yourself, Your Highness, you had no way of knowing that it was Blue Cat, it was our perpetually second-rate security systems that failed you and Antonio." Coran spoke up, turning in his chair to look at his Princess. "It sounds like Antonio freely made the decision to defend you, a noble choice indeed from a stranger who only met us by fate."

~My dear man, you have no idea.~ The Brain thought with a stab of strong emotion. ~He did it for love- the poor, misguided, infatuated fool! This is what following your heart gets you, Pinky! A harsh lesson, one you did not deserve to learn!~

Lotor wants to get hold of him." Pidge remarked quietly. "He covets anything he thinks belongs to the Princess."

"If he does, I am sure we'll be hearing from the creep right away," Keith replied briskly. "He'll use Antonio as a bargaining chip to get to the Princess, you can count on it."

~Brilliant deduction, Captain! How many episodes did it take you to figure that one out?~ The Brain thought with rancor. Of course, he had to admit his own plight was rather predictable as well, The Plan for Global Domination was in danger of failing again. But it had never involved Pinky being in harm's way...

"Well, what are we waiting for, let's go get the little guy!" Hunk exclaimed.

Keith shook his head. "We can't just go flying off half-cocked to Doom, Hunk. It could be a trap!" Or maybe they just got lucky. The Big Guy stared at the Captain. "All their RoBeasts are incapacitated after our last run in, what better time to go and whomp on the rest of the place?"

His leader thought a moment. "You know, you have a point there. Let's go for it!"

The rest of the team stared at Keith in astonishment. So did The Brain. ~Well, I'll be a hamster's uncle!~ The mouse thought. ~The guy is breaking out of the script! He's improvising!~

"No need to look so shocked, " The Black Lion pilot said defensively."I can be as impetuous as the next guy."

Allura blinked her big blue eyes before reaching over and patting the Captain's arm. A bright flush instantly stained his cheeks.

"I'm not shocked." She said. "I'm pleased."

"Nicely done, Captain Vengeance." Lance murmured. "Let's just hope you don't get us all killed on a whim."

Keith shot his friend a look, then he glanced back at the Princess, who was still gazing at him with admiration and something else glimmering in her limpid eyes. His flush grew deeper and he looked away.

The Brain rolled his eyes. For a battle-hardened warrior, Captain Keith was annoyingly coy. Watching him and Allura interact made his fillings hurt; good thing the Smirky Guy was there to keep things tart.

"You all right Chief? You're looking a mite feverish." Lance said, with a sly half smile.

"I'm fine," Keith responded brusquely.

Allura smiled at the two men, before becoming completely serious once again. Antonio Banderas was in dire peril. This was certainly no time for big kitten eyes and flirting.

"We'll need a special plan," Coran interjected suddenly. "The Doomian castle is heavily fortified."

"Right. Let's brainstorm and see what we can come up with, team. Then it's off to Doom!" Keith cried.

The rest of the team responded as one. "All right! Let's go, Voltron Force!"

~Rah, Rah.~ The Brain thought, a couple of beats behind. His sarcasm was a reflex, as his thoughts were in a jumble. Pinky getting kidnapped was not conducive to the success of The Plan, but suddenly that didn't matter.

It was time to follow the Captain's lead, disengage all fail-safes, and see what the Voltron Force could do to save his friend.

On Planet Doom, a terrified Pinky found himself being carried by the Blue Cat into a creepy, cave-like room that smelled strongly of sulphur. It appeared to be a laboratory, but it bore little resemblance to the one he called home.

As his eyes adjusted to the ultra red lights, he could see the outline of a wizened figure, a long staff clutched in its clawed hand, hunched over a console holding a crystal ball, and numerous beakers containing solutions of some sort. A harsh muttering filled the air as whatever the entity was trying to do obviously failed.

"A curse on that Voltron Force and their enigmatic weapons! Those RoBeasts are still too pooped out to fight!"

The figure turned abruptly, and Pinky gasped. He knew this person- those glowing yellow eyes, green skin and extensive facial wart problem were a dead giveaway!

It was Hagar, the old witch!

The gangly mouse shuddered in revulsion as the Witch floated nearer to him. She was truly hideous looking in person, although he had to admit she appeared slimmer and younger than on the telly- it must be true what they said about the camera putting on years and weight on a body. Of course, that didn't apply to everyone. Case in point- the Brain's oversized cranium, and Princess Allura's stunning figure. Those were truthful depictions.

~Egad! I wonder how I look like on T.V., I guess I'll have to watch myself watching T.V. and find out. Zort! Hm... now wouldn't that be an odd sight, really just like holding a mirror, in front of a mirror, in front of a mirror, in front of-...~

The witch's wicked cackle unmercifully brought Pinky's wandering thoughts back to stark reality. "What have we here? A mouse from Castle Arus? Ah, well done, my pet! A confidante of the pretty Princess...let's see what he knows."

Pinky gulped and trembled as the clawed fingers reached out and detached him from the cat's mouth.

Back on Earth, watching the show, he'd often gotten a secret kick out of the witch...she had a wicked sense of humor, and he liked how she was able to put the evil Prince and the King in their places.

But this Haggar was scary. And not funny, no, not funny at all!

~The Brain will help me! Voltron Force will save me!~ He thought doggedly, before fainting dead away.

To be continued!