KathDMD - I know how much you love the Fab Five, and this next chapter will deliver more snark! Yep, Little AJ is on the way, but that's a story for another season. ;) And I purposely built the tension for this moment. You said this chapter better be epic, and I sure as hell will never disappoint my muse. "Without you, I am nothing."
Author's Note - Happy 30th Anniversary, Voltron! This is YOUR legacy! I want to send thanks to so many people...My muse, and the other half of my brain, KathDMD, my close friend and fellow DWC member selena devargo, Cubbie and the entire KAEX fandom, the SnarkTron Force (Yes, even Casey), and every single Voltron fan out there that continues to keep the legend alive, and wants to see this Legacy continue. You all keep me going, and I want to thank you for that.
Theme Music : "Black Widow" by Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora
Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD. Lieutenant Lysette Fabrere and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.
Episode 78 : "Black Widow"
"What do you mean, the Space Marshall disappeared?" JC asked.
"She and Lieutenant Fabrere were supposed to meet us at the South Gate," Jon replied. "They weren't there. I've dispatched every available security detail to find her."
"I don't believe they will find them," Lotor said.
"Excuse me?" JC asked.
"Just what I said," Lotor replied. "It's possible the watch may have played a part in this. I don't want to think the worst, Lieutenant, but we're dealing with a power that even my father couldn't comprehend."
"Perhaps I can shed some light on the subject," Dariana interjected.
"You mentioned something about Komori Syn," Jon said. "What do you know?"
"Vice Marshall," she continued, "I don't know if your wife told you, but I have dreams and visions of long ago. Most recently, I had a vision just as Voltron was about to come to life. A great evil was coming to challenge the Defender….Voltron. Pure greed took on the form of a demon by the name of Komori Syn. I believe it is one of the reasons Haggar gave her soul to give life to the Defender,"
"Haggar?" Lotor asked. He let out a defiant grunt. "I knew the witch was old, but I had no idea how incredibly old. You're saying SHE had a hand in Voltron's creation?"
"I am her great-granddaughter," Dariana replied. Lotor was taken aback. "The point is that this Komori Syn was powerful enough to manipulate a good man to commit unspeakable acts."
"It's possible the artifact containing his power may be manipulating the Space Marshall," Lotor said. "If that is the case, then we are all in serious danger."
"What do you suggest we do?" Jon asked.
"We'll find her, Vice Marshall," JC replied. "We owe it to her." Alarms began to go off.
"What now?" Jon asked as he turned on the com. "Mike, what's going on?"
"Long range scans are showing Supremacy forces converging on their way here!" Mike said.
"Is it Wade?" Jon asked.
"It's coming from all directions," Mike replied. "It's a force the likes of which I've never seen."
"I want you to get in touch with Arus," he said. "Notify them of what is going on. Also get in touch with Commander Aki and Admiral Benton. Apprise them of the situation."
"I will," Mike replied, "But I need to let you know another piece of news we found."
"What's that?" Jon asked.
"The video surveillance of the South Gate," Mike said, "…Alrek Holgersson passed through the gate." At the mention of his wife's former fiancée's last name struck a nerve.
"Direct search parties to the South gate and spread out from there!" Jon shouted. "I want him found!"
JC came into the apartment and saw Tails sitting on a chair, staring off into space, completely catatonic. Roxy approached him.
"What's up with her?" he asked.
"I don't know," she replied. "Since last night when she…um….yeah, she's been like this."
"They want us to take off as soon as possible to the South gate to search for the Space Marshall," he replied. "We need to snap her out of it." They walked in front of her, a blank expression on her face, with a vague twitch here and there.
"You'd think with a mind like hers," Roxy said, "she'd be used to…that."
"You think maybe it was an overload?" JC asked, tilting his head sideways. "Maybe behind the façade is a fragile, gentle mind that really isn't as raunchy as we thought."
"You think?" she asked. They looked closer at her, then all of a sudden, her expression changed, she pointed at the two of them and began to laugh loudly and hysterically.
"Oh my friggin' snart!" she laughed, nearly falling out of her chair. "You….and you….and….bow chick a wow wow! The pricelessness! So what, this makes you his…ahem…'top' Lieutenant? Mwa ha ha ha ha!" She fell off the chair and began rolling around on the ground.
"I think I need to learn to lock the door next time," JC said.
"If there IS a next time," Roxy snapped back.
"What's that supposed to mean?" JC asked.
"Guys," Seth interjected, "We need to get going." He helped Tails to her feet. "Dammit, McGovern, pull it together. We have a mission!" They all left the apartment, Tails still snickering.
"What do you want from us?" Lenora shouted, herself and Lysette tied back to back to a pole.
"You know, this isn't the first time someone's tied me up and tried to have their way with me," Lysette shouted.
"I feel its presence," a dark figure said. "I know one of you has what I am looking for."
"I've heard that one before," Lysette replied.
"I assume you mean the watch," Lenora said. "You really think we'd be so careless as to bring it out into the open?"
"You lie!" the man shouted. He stepped out of the shadows, and Lenora experienced a moment of shock.
"What is it?" Lysette asked.
"I've only seen pictures," Lenora said. "But it can't be….he's dead…"
"You'd be surprised the secrets you can keep from the living," he replied. "And I have waited far too long for this day…the day I return to power."
"I told you I don't have it!" Lenora shouted. "The Drules came and took it!"
"I told you," he said through his teeth, "I can feel its energy. Don't tell me you can't feel your own heart beating….moving in time with it? What do you think would happen if it suddenly…" He snapped his fingers. "…stopped." Lenora's head fell to one side, unresponsive.
"Leave her alone!" Lysette shouted.
"SILENCE!" Alrek shouted, holding out his hand. Lysette felt as if she were choking. "I've seen your past as well, daughter of Arus. Your ancestors tried to lock me away, splitting my essence over and over again and trying to contain me….but I am reborn! There is nothing you or your precious Defender can do to stop the end of time…." Suddenly, the roof caved in, and an army of Drule soldiers dropped in. They tried to attack Alrek, but their blaster fire bounced off them. He waved an arm, and crowds of them were swept away. Lenora gasped for air, and Lysette felt the grip on her neck release.
"We gotta get out of here," Lysette shouted.
"You got a plan?" Lenora asked. Lysette relaxed, and easily slipped her hands out of the ropes, and worked her way out of the bindings, which then went limp and fell off Lenora. "How did you…"
"No time," she replied. "Talk later. Right now, we need to escape." Several soldiers blocked their path. Lenora held up her arm, and a throwing axe appeared. As she was about to throw it, Lysette stopped her.
"Allow me," she said, holding her forearm in front of her. In a flash of white light, a diamond studded rapier appeared in her hand. She ran at the soldiers, blocking their blaster fire with the swing of the rapier, then quickly sliced through their blasters, knocking two of them down, and stabbing a third. She then turned to look back at Lenora.
"Not bad," she commented. Her eyes widened and she threw the axe, nailing another.
"You're not so bad yourself, Hawkins," Lysette replied.
"We're not out of the woods yet," Lenora said. "Let's go!" They ran out of the room. Alrek knocked down several more, then let out a heavy growling shout.
"They musn't get away!" he shouted, knocking several more out of his way as he tried to give chase.
"Something down there is attacking our forces," a soldier commented.
"Then send more backup!" Wade shouted. "Lord Kanji was able to track Syn this far, and I won't stop until I have retrieved the artifact, and crushed the life out of that loathsome woman!"
"Allow me to go down and lead them for you," Kala begged. "I'll gladly end her pathetic life for you!"
"No, Kala," he replied. "That honor is mine and mine alone." He turned and walked away, opening his closet and pulling out a makeshift shotgun blaster, cocking it before leaving the bridge. Kala turned to the soldier.
"Commence fire on the southern gates," she ordered. "Lay every last one of their ships and tanks to waste! Once the way is open….release the robeast!" She laughed maniacally.
"We're almost to the south gate," Jon said as they rounded the corner. They suddenly came face to face with a seemingly endless army of Drule soldiers.
"This is where we come in," Roxy shouted, her guns forming in her hands. She began to open fire, and Seth pulled his crossbow and began firing as well.
"We better get a move on," JC said. "Come on, Tails."
"Right behind ya, chief!" tails replied with a mock salute.
"Please be careful," Roxy said. "Don't get yourself killed."
"Have I ever let you down before?" JC asked with a grin.
"Get bent, Grend," she said with a smirk. Katanas sprung out of his Voltcom, and he ran into the fray.
"Wait for me!" Tails shouted, a pair of axes forming in her hands as she took off after him.
"Keep us covered," Lotor said. "I'm pretty good with a blaster…" He pulled his longsword. "…but I'm a much better swordsman." He took off into the fray as well, fighting hand to hand against the onslaught. Jon pulled out a blaster and continued to fire as well. Dariana went to run after JC and tails, but instead fell to her knees.
"What is it you desire most, my child?" a dark and sinister voice asked.
"I want my mama back," the little girl said in a soft voice.
"Would you give anything?" it asked. "Anything at all?"
"Why did she have to go?" The girl said, tears streaming down her face.
"I can bring her back for you," he said. "But…I would need something from you in return."
"Huh?' she asked, looking up. What she saw was the light green complexion of a Drule royal, grinning at her.
"Limitless power lives inside us all," he said. And all you need to do to bring them all back to life….everyone you love and miss….is to give me your soul."
"My…soul?" the little girl asked. She couldn't fathom what this man was asking. It scared her in a way she couldn't fathom. "Where's my papa?"
"Forget about him!" he shouted. The man calmed down. "Young one, we haven't much time. All you need to do is pledge yourself to us, and we will end the suffering. You have my word…as ruler of the Seventh Kingdom." Dariana felt the girl's heart sink. She was confused and hurt….but above all….out of control.
"Let her go!" another voice shouted.
"Papa!" the little girl rejoiced. The man who had spoke with her, promising her her hope's desire, withdrew his sword and attacked. And her papa fought back with everything he had, a stalwart longsword at the ready, engraved with the crest of the Black Lion.
"I won't let you take my daughter like you took what was left of my wife!" he shouted, their swords clanking fiercely.
"Olan, you are a fool!" the King shouted. "You could have been nothing less than a god! And all you needed to do was succumb to the will of Syn!"
"Your greed is your own folly, Maverick!" Olan shouted. As they fought, a woman in the shadows drew a daggar, dripping with poison. Dariana saw it. She tired to cry out in her own mind…and as the woman ran out to stab Olan in the back, the girl screamed….and time froze.
"Papa," she said softly, "I'm sorry." She closed her eyes, crying, then held out her hands, and clapped them together. In a flash of light, the Drules that tried to harm her papa had vanished, and a force of energy flowed through her…..a force of pure evil tried to devour her. But the little girl was no fool. She collected the light together in the one thing that she had saved from her papa….a pocket watch. As she closed the lid, it began to tick, and time unfroze, Olan stumbling over himself.
"Kovinx," he said, "my little girl….what have you done?"
"I'm sorry, papa," she said. "I had to destroy them to save you. The evil inside them was more than they could bare…."
"Give me that," he said. She gave him the watch. "Never speak of this again. What's left of the evil will be destroyed by the Defender. And this…." He held up the watch. "…needs to be lost for eternity. The greed brought to the Empire by Syn must end here, my daughter." A white light enveloped them all, and Dariana briefly saw Voltron standing over a demonic robeast, driving the blazing sword through its chest. And she suddenly felt herself slip into madness….
"Nothing left," Merla said softly. "Not even ashes. In one foul swoop, they were taken from me by greed….by the awesome power of Komori Syn. I can't allow that power to continue to rule my life, and destroy my world." She walked over to the com. "How much longer before we are in range?"
"Within minutes, Your Excellency," the voice replied.
"As soon as we arrive," she said, "I want you to launch the robeast we've had under construction."
"But Your Excellency," he replied, "construction has not been completed. If we send it out now, not only will your husband be furious, but Lord Kanji will…"
"Which is a drop of blood from a paper cut compared to what I'll do to you if you don't launch it!" she shouted. She turned off the com.
"Komori Syn took my parents," she whispered. "He intends to turn me into his vessel. I'll sooner die first. I don't care what happens to the Alliance, but I won't let this monster destroy my people."
"Do you know the way out of here?" Lysette shouted as they ran.
"It looks like one of the buildings outside the South gate," Len shouted back, "but I have no idea." Suddenly, the floor in front of them exploded, and Alrek, possessed by Syn, floated into the air in front of them.
"You can't escape your destiny," he growled. "Give it to me before I wrench it from your cold, dead hands!" Just then, Alrek was hit in the back by blaster fire. Lysette pulled her rapier once again, prepared for the worst, but the Drule who fired lowered his weapon.
"This way," he said. "The demon won't stay asleep for long. We have to get out of here."
"Who are you?" Lysette shouted.
"My name is Aran," he said. Upon hearing the name, something inside Lenora surged. She heard the ticking of the watch get louder, and suddenly, nothing in the world mattered. Her rage boiled over, and her teeth gritted, accentuating her black lipstick.
"You!" she shouted as she ran at him. She reached back and punched him in the face so hard he went flying backwards. Lysette ran to her. Lenora held out her arm, and the shotgun appeared from the voltcom, point blank in the face of this Drule man.
"Shoot me if you must," he said, "but don't do it for him! Don't let Syn win! You have to escape, with or without me!"
"Hawkins," Lysette said, trying to hold her back, "let him be. We'll deal with it later."
"HE MURDERED MY FATHER!" she shouted. "He ruined my life, he ruined my mother's life, and my entire family! All over a stupid watch! Don't you see, Fabrere?" She took a few gasping breaths. "He has to die!"
"Syn must die," Lysette replied. "Hawkins, two wrongs don't make a right." Lenora felt the rage overtaking her, but finally noticed the ticking in her head.
"If you hear the ticking," Aran said, "he is in your mind. If you hold his power, he will determine your fate. Don't let him." She fought with everything she could. She reached into her pocket and grabbed the watch. Just as it did the other Drule spies, the watch began to burn and sear the palm of her hand. But she ripped it from her pocket and threw it across the room. The shotgun vanished, and she collapsed. Aran got to his feet and hoisted the Space Marshall over his shoulder.
"Is she alright?" Lysette asked.
"She fought hard," he replied, "and won. Yes…I was the one that killed her father. But the watch was just as much to blame. Syn was inside my head just like it was inside hers….and it guided her destiny." The room shook. "We must hurry!" They took off running.
"Doesn't this ship move any faster?" Maahox groaned. "I don't want to miss the rebirth of Syn."
"It won't be long," Haggar replied. "I have created the perfect robeast….and with your gentle modifications, it will become something much more than even Lord Kanji could imagine!"
"The perfect vessel for the perfect being," Maahox said, beaming. "And all under my control!" Haggar shot him a look. "I mean….OUR….control, of course."
"Soon the legend of Voltron will be stricken from history," she said, "and the secret of Voltron will return to where it belongs."
"So what's so special about this watch?" Dari groaned.
"Long ago," Twyla explained, "an ancient being of great power tried to crush the enemies of the Empire, and put an end to Voltron. It was said something happened that caused it to lose his powers, tearing him apart. It is said his power….the ability to manipulate space and time itself, was captured and locked away inside an artifact of great significance." She walked over to the veiwscreen and watched as the ship passed into the Solar system. "This power gave the wielder limitless control over all…and that is why we need to find it first."
"Are you going against Lord Kanji's orders?" Dari asked in defiance.
"I am looking out for our well being, General," she replied. "With that power in our hands, we can finally crush the entire Voltron Force, and possibly even pull Gran Deram back together! This is our ticket to total victory, and the revege you crave! You do still want revenge, don't you?"
"More than anything," Dari replied. "As soon as we are in range, we'll launch a small land quadroon to recover the artifact, and one of your robeasts to deal with Voltron, should he get in our way."
"Excellent," Twyla replied. "Soon the entire universe will be in the palm of our hands!" She laughed maniacally.
Dariana suddenly sprung to her feet and took off running.
"Dar!" Seth shouted. "Where are you going?" She sprinted into the building, swinging her chargers furiously, knocking all in her path. As she ran, she heard the voice inside her head.
"My little Kovinx," it said. "The power of Syn is returning to the world. Do not allow another innocent light to expire by his hand." Her eyes were completely white, and alight with energy as she ran through the halls, searching for the force that was drawing her rage.
"I'm going in after her!" Seth shouted.
"Oh no you're not, Sergeant!" Roxy shouted, still firing. "That's a flacking order!"
"We can't just let her go!" Seth argued.
"You want me to shoot you?" she asked.
"No," Seth replied.
"That's what I thought," she said. "Keep holding the line!" They continued firing.
"This way!" Aran said. When they ran out the door, they came face to face with a mixture of Drule and Drinja forces. Before they could react, however, something came crashing out of the sky and skidded across the ground, taking out the mass in front of them. When the smoke cleared, they watched as the White Lion turned around and fired, causing them all to scatter. White leaned over and opened its jaws, and Sven ran out to them.
"Is she alright?" he asked Lysette.
"She passed out," Lysette replied. She did a double take. "Sven Holgersson?"
"Where is he?" he asked.
"She said it was your father," Lysette replied. "But it's not him….it's Syn!"
"I don't care what it is," he replied. "I'm going to find it!" He ran into the building.
"Stop!" she shouted.
"We can't go after him!" Aran said. "We have to get her to safety! When this is all over, I swear on my own life I will explain everything!" They took off running for the South gate.
"This is incredible!" Daniel shouted.
"No time for sightseeing, Ensign," Larmina replied. "It looks like we have more than robot fighters to deal with." They watched as several ships opened. The first released a robeast that resembled a minotaur, and it glowed an eerie purple. The second was a seemingly half-armored mechanized robot. The third resembled a wolf-monster, aglow with fire. But the fourth seemed the most impressive….a seemingly perfectly accurate replica of the Lider Robeast.
"I think maybe it's time for the big guy," Vince said. "Don't you think?"
"Everyone ready?" Daniel asked.
"Ready to rock and roll, little buddy," Hunk shouted.
"Let's Voltron!" Daniel shouted. "Flash Form, Go!" He connected his voltcom, and the lions flew quickly into formation, forming Voltron within five seconds. The first robeast opened its mouth, and a beam of energy shot at them, but Daniel jerked the controls, and it narrowly missed them.
"We're getting quickly outnumbered," Marina shouted, "and there's no sign of Lysette!" Laser fire came from behind them and hit the robeast, Beta and Gamma flying past.
"Someone say we're outnumbered?" Taye asked.
"Looks like we're more than ready to even the odds!" Aidan laughed.
"Dammit, Dalloway!" Kelly shouted. "Take it easy on this thing! We barely finished repairs!"
"Relax, Admiral Worrywart," he replied with a ton of snark. "After all, this IS a warzone. Hey team, how about we show these lions how we do things on Terra?"
"We're ready when you are," Lisa shouted.
"Rah, frickin'….." Morgan started to say when the Lider beast grabbed Beta and pulled it in, starting to wrap it up.
"Oh no you don't," Daniel shouted. "Vince, take point! Form Green Center!" Voltron reconfigured to Green Center.
"Boomerang Shield!" Vince shouted. The shield formed in Voltron's left hand. He threw it, and it swung around the Lider beast and sliced the webbing, freeing Beta.
"Thanks!" Morgan shouted.
"Another minute and we'd have been spider food!" David commented.
"Guys, can we skip the formalities and bring this snart together?" Taye asked.
"Oh alright," Aidan shouted. The mechas flew into formation and broke apart to begin combining. "Form Feet and legs! Form arms and Torso! And I'll form the head!" Voltron configured into Djinn Dimension. He arched his back, the energy field around them exploding.
"Two heads are better than one," Daniel commented.
"Easy, Ensign Gordon," Aidan replied. "There's only room for one smartass on this force."
"Can we focus?" Kelly shouted. Aidan yanked the controls, narrowly missing the werewolf monster charging at them.
"Trying," Taye added. "A lot going on out there." Gladiator Voltron raised his arm and fired missiles at the passing beast, but they exploded on the surface, not damaging it at all.
"He's coming around," David shouted.
"So is that half-assed robot!" Morgan shouted. Aidan hit a button, and they took off strait upwards, the two robeasts clashing into one another.
"Oldest trick in the book," Aidan commented.
"Form Blue Center!" Daniel shouted. Voltron reconfigured.
"Form Titantic Trident!" Larmina shouted, the trident forming in Voltron's hands. "Let's see if we can cool this guy off." They pointed the trident at the charging flaming wolf and fired. The ice bolts melted, but the beast came to a stop as the trident blocked his charge.
"If the Lider comes back," Daniel said, "I don't think we're gonna be able to fend off all of these beasts."
"I don't think we're gonna have to wait long for that," Hunk said as the Lider beast fired a web and latched onto Voltron's leg.
Alrek staggered to his feet and opened his eyes.
"Stemmene er borte," he said to himself. "Am I….dead?" Sven came around the corner and came face to face with him.
"Far," Sven gasped. "How is this possible?" He started to walk towards him, but Alrek held out his hand, and held his head with the other.
"Stay back, son!" he replied. "Don't come any closer! You don't know what I have done!"
"I don't understand!" Sven shouted.
"Syn…." Alrek said, then arched back in pain. He tried to hold on. "Syn killed your mother…..Syn betrayed the Alliance….caused the crash….." He arched back and suddenly started to laugh maniacally.
"Fools!" he shouted. "Who cares about the Alliance? Who cares about the Supremacy? All that matters….is POWER!" Alrek pulled a sword and ran at Sven, who blocked with his axe. They fought back and forth, swinging like madmen. Sven backed him against the wall, but Sven hesitated to give the killing blow, and Syn took advantage and kicked Sven off him. He went to counter, aiming to stab him, but Dariana ran into the room and held out her arm. Tick leaped from it, using the momentum to fly through the air and latch on to his arm. Alrek swung around, and Tick released, flying into the corner of the room.
"I stopped you once," she said, her voice undertoning another, "and I'll do it again!"
"Little girl," he said laughing. "Is that the helpless little thing that killed two innocent people to lock me away? HA HA HA HA HA! What's wrong? Don't have your precious 'Papa' to protect you anymore?"
"This is between me and you, Syn!" she shouted. "You're not dealing with a helpless child anymore! You're dealing with a full fledged lamia!"
"I'm dealing with a ghost!" he shouted. He threw his sword at her, and she managed to hold both her hands up and freeze it solid in mid air, causing it to drop to the ground and shatter. Before she could recover, he ran at her and tackled her through a wall, pinning her in the next room. She hit him with her charger at point-blank range, and sent him flying backwards. She spun around and kicked him in the face, sending him back through the wall.
"I won't let you take another life!" she shouted. "You've done enough!"
"You're wrong!" he shouted, getting up. "I haven't done enough!" Tick scurried out of the corner, and snatched the watch laying on the floor. She fired a charger at Tick to catch him, but Alrek intercepted it, grabbing it and swinging her into the opposite wall. Her eyes suddenly changed back to yellow. He pulled the other end, grabbing Tick. Tick swallowed the watch, but Syn punched through the mouse's gut and yanked the watch from it. He smiled and threw the twitching robot to the floor.
"Tick!" she shouted as she staggered to her feet.
"Now, little girl," he said, "witness the true power….of Syn!" He opened the watch, and time began to slow to a stop. Dariana felt the rage Syn was feeding off. She launched her other charger as he held up the watch, and it smashed into the face, knocking it out of his hands. Time suddenly sped back up.
"It's not over!" she shouted. She held out her hands and sent a blast of cold that froze Alrek's feet to the ground.
"You think you've stopped me?" Syn shouted. "You may have destroyed the watch, but its power….is forever!" He began to chant.
"We must stop him!" Sven shouted. Just then, JC, Roxy, Tails and Seth ran in.
"Dar!" Seth yelled. "What do we do?" She ran to them and took their hands.
"Your keys," she said. "Hold out the keys! Call out to the jets, I KNOW they can hear us!" They did as she said, and the five of them held up their keys and closed their eyes. The wind picked up as the chanting became louder. "Focus, please!" They opened their eyes, and saw the Lion Spirits soar from their keys, flying into the air and out through a window. Within seconds, the outer wall was blasted open, and Alrek flew into the opposing wall. They ran to the opening, and sure enough, all five jets sat there waiting for them.
"I don't understand how…" Tails said.
"They know, Sherri," Dariana said. "They know." She turned to see Alrek trying to get to his feet. "Syn has escaped. I don't know why or how, but he is searching for a new host! We have to stop him!"
"I will carry him to safety!" Sven shouted. "If Syn is out there, you need to stop it!" Dariana nodded, then looked at JC. JC smiled.
"Let's fly!" he shouted, and the team leaped over the edge onto the hovering jets, and climbed into their cockpits.
"Can we slice through it?" Marina asked.
"Not without letting this one slice through us!" Larmina replied.
"Commander Dalloway, can you help?" Daniel asked.
"I'm trying," he said, struggling against the minotaur and trying to avoid the half-constructed robot. "Kinda got our hands full here."
"How about a little cover fire!" Jeff shouted. "All forward arrays, open fire!" The Defender began to fire on the robeasts, trying to help the two Voltrons break free. "Voltron Force, Launch immediately!" The fifteen ships sped out of the cargo bay as quickly as possible, scrambling into formation.
"Let's not waste any time!" Krik said.
"In full agreement, captain," Jenny replied. "All units form Voltron!" The ships flew upwards and began to lock into place. "Form feet and legs! Form arms and torso! And I'll form the head!" The CJE locked in place, the bay doors opening to reveal Voltron's face, his eyes lighting up with power. The falcon swiftly came down, locking onto Voltron's chest. He reached into the air as the energy field dissipated, powering up with several air punches.
"Now what was that about us being outnumbered, Dalloway?" Morgan asked.
"That's enough outta you, Feld," he snarked.
"Let's give the Gladiator team a little help," Jenny said. "Keegans, you ready?"
"As ready as your mom was last night!" Eddie said.
"Duuuuude," Chet added.
"Ugh," Jenny said, rolling her eyes. "Form Solar Combat Spear!" Voltron reached down and grabbed the spear halves, then put them together into one solid spear. He launched it at the robot, piercing its shoulder and causing it to let go of Gladiator Voltron.
"The windup," Aidan said, swinging Voltron's arm, "and the pitch!" Voltron punched the Minotaur off them, sending it flying. Gladiator Voltron reached behind him and pulled out a staff and twirled it on front of him. "Now it's our turn!" They flew at the minotaur and swung, smashing its head in.
"Form Spinning Laser Blades!" Jenny shouted. Vehicle Voltron reached to his shoulders and pulled the blades, quickly throwing them at the Lider. One sliced the web holding Lion Voltron, the other cut off one of the Lider's legs. "Follow up!" Vehicle Voltron came down on the Lider and stomped it, sending it plummeting to the ground below.
"Now!" Daniel shouted. Larmina pulled the controls and whipped the Wolf beast around, sending it flying to the ground. Lion Voltron charged the Trident and dove downward, stabbing the beast.
The Drule soldiers began to fall back, and Jon and Lotor came upon Aran, Lysette and Lenora.
"Is she ok?" Jon asked.
"She's out cold," Lysette replied. "Sergeant Holgersson ran in there to confront Syn." They saw the side of the building explode, and a rush of energy emitted from the building and headed to where the robeast battle was.
"I don't think that's a good sign," Lotor said. He looked over at Aran. "I assume you're who we were looking for."
"Yes," he replied. "I will explain later. We have to get to safety. If Syn finds a new host…"
"Flack," Lysette said, "I think he already has." The energy swirled around the robeasts, and they broke apart and came together in a whirlwind.
"What's happening?" Jon asked.
"Something even Lord Kanji didn't expect," Lotor replied. "The young Drule girl said that long ago, Voltron destroyed a demon-possessed robeast. I have a feeling we are about to see the past come back to life." They ran through the South Gate, headed for the Garrison.
"What the hell is that?" Dixie asked.
"It looks like a giant whirlwind," Marvin said.
"It's got all the robeasts," Ken said, "and it seems the Drules are running."
"I think we need to make a hasty retreat," Dari said.
"Without the watch?" Twyla asked.
"I've got a bad feeling about this,' Dari replied as their ship turned and tried to distance themselves from Earth.
"That force," Merla said. "It's calling out to me. My worst fears are being realized!"
"Should we open fire?" General Binak asked.
"No," she replied. "Bring us back a safe distance. I sense something powerful is in our midst. I'm hoping that what I see in my mind is correct."
"What the hell is going on?" Wade shouted from the transport hold.
"The robeasts have been sucked into some kind of vortex!" Kala reported.
"That blasted trinket Kanji spoke of," he replied. "Back us off. I wanted to finish off the Space Marshall myself, but it looks like Komori Syn will beat me to it. If it wants the Lider….it will become unstoppable!"
"My…ahem…Lady, shall we move back a safe distance, and allow your creation to, shall we say, stretch its legs?" Maahox asked with a grin.
"I agree," Haggar replied. "It would be wise to back off and let the destructive power of Syn work for us! Helmsman, take us back a safe enough distance to observe." The ship began to move.
"I don't like the looks of this," Aidan said.
"Oh, so NOW you're worried?" Kelly snapped.
"Hey!" Aidan snapped back. "At least you're getting to see some of the…." A force shot out of the vortex and hit Gladiator Voltron, sending it flying backwards in a tumble end over end, then crashing into the ground.
"Damage report!" Kelly shouted.
"Rackens here," David replied. "Me and the Mrs. are alright."
"Kaga and I are OK," Taye replied.
"Gonna need a minute or two to restart the main engines," Lisa commented. The whirlwind stopped, and the beasts had fused together to form a monstrosity three times the size of Voltron.
"Look at the size of that thing!" Larmina shouted.
"That's what SHE said!" they all heard over the com as the Jet Voltron Force approached.
"Commander Dalloway," JC asked, "is your team alright?"
"Gonna be a minute," Aidan replied. "She's hung over." Kelly kicked the back of his seat.
"Cadet Owens, Ensign Gordon, see if you can keep that thing occupied while we hook up," JC said.
"Let's see what we can do," Daniel said. "Form Black Center!" Voltron reconfigured once again. "It's probably gonna come for us first. When it does, give it all ya got!"
"You heard him," Jenny said. "You ready, Dixie?"
"If the snartbag twins down there can shut up for five seconds, I think I can handle it," she replied.
"Hey!" Eddie shouted.
"We resemble that remark!" Chet shouted.
"Brace yourselves!" Daniel said as the beast came at them.
"Electro-thermoblasters!" Jenny shouted. Vehicle Voltron arched back, and every laser fored from the chest plate and hit the beast, causing it to veer off course and turn.
"You dare defy the will of Syn?" It shouted. It let loose a blast that Vehicle Voltron narrowly escaped.
"That thing has the intensity of five red giants," Ken said. "Even with the upgrades, Jenny, we won't survive a blast like that!"
"We need to find a way to destroy its core," Christiane said.
"The core?" Jenny asked. "What core?"
"The source of Syn's energy," Christiane replied. "I can feel it from here….so much pain. So much death…."
"Hold it together," Jenny replied. "Everyone hear that? We need to find this core and take it out!"
"Let's see what we can do," Daniel replied.
"Dariana," JC said, "Can you locate this core she's talking about?"
"Kovinx is silent," Dariana replied. "I feel the presence she speaks of, but I can't pinpoint it. There's something blocking it."
"Shielding it," Vince added. "The thing seems to be spewing haggarium energy!"
"A dark nexus," Roxy said with a grimace. "Tails, begin calculating the approximate location of the dark nexus. JC, let's get ready to rumble!"
"One game of freeze tag, coming up!" JC shouted. "Teams, spread out! We need to buy time!" The Voltrons spread out, and Syn turned slowly, trying to blast them out of the sky.
"We're back online," Morgan shouted.
"Then let's get back up there and give Grend a hand," Aidan replied. Gladiator Voltron got to its feet and took off to join the others.
"Any luck with those calculations?" JC asked.
"Even if I get an accurate location," Tails replied, "I don't think we have any weapons powerful enough to break through its defensive shell." The monster descended to the surface and began striking buildings approaching the South Gate.
"We have to do something quick," JC said, "Or it'll toast the Garrison!"
"Jeff," Christiane said, what if we…" Cinda came onto the bridge of the Defender.
"Lock all weapons onto the plates around the chest area," Cinda finished. "If we manage to penetrate the shell, the Voltrons can take out the core."
"Cinda," Jeff replied, "the Defender has a lot of firepower, but we'd need a lot more to blast that thing open."
"I think we can help," Keith said over the com. Everyone looked up and saw the Castle of Lions in Spaceship mode flying overhead.
"It's time we put this legend to rest," Allura said, standing behind Keith with her hands on his shoulders. He began keying in commands.
"Coran," he said, "on my mark, have the troops open fire, full blast, concentrated on these coordinates."
"All hands, prepare to fire!" Jeff ordered. "….NOW!" Both ships opened fire and blasted the beast. It turned and tried to deflect the blasts, but the combined onslaught was too much.
"No!" it yelled. "Her power cannot contain me! I refuse to allow the Old Ones' magic to stop the flow of Chaos!"
"JC!" tails shouted. "I can see the core!"
"Form Blazing Sword!" the four team leaders shouted. Lion Voltron clanked Red and Green together and pulled apart, forming the sword. Vehicle Voltron put the Spinning laser blades over his head together and pulled down, forming its sword. Gladiator Voltron held up its right hand, and the symbol for Alpha, Beta, and gamma appeared, and the energy formed the sword in its hand. Jet Voltron very quickly reached over with Red to meet Green at the hip and pulled, unleashing the beam of light that became its sword.
"It's your show, Grend," Aidan said. "Take the lead."
"For you, love," JC said to Roxy. She nodded.
"FOR THE ALLIANCE!" Jet Voltron came strait down and stabbed the sword through its chest. Jenny let out a scream as she pushed the controls forward, Vehicle Voltron winding back and stabbing it through the right shoulder and through the core. Gladiator Voltron lunged forward and stabbed upwards throught the core. Lion Voltron took off high into the air and came down on the beast. Dariana had a flashback….just like she saw in the dream, the Defender…Lion Voltron….came hurning down to finish the beast. The sword penetrated, cracked, and destroyed the core.
"NO!" Syn screamed. "This can't be possible! I am forever! You can't escape Chaos!" They pulled away from the beast, and it exploded in a blazing flash of light. When everything died down, the Voltrons flew over to the South Gate and began to land.
"Is it really gone?" Seth asked. Dariana let out a sigh.
"Chaos is never really gone, Seth," she replied. "But for the moment, we've brought balance.
The teams all met in the grand foyer in the main building of the Galaxy Garrison. Everyone began talking.
"So," Aidan said, "what've you been up to in your neck of the universe, Viking? You look a hell of a lot better than when I saw you last."
"Worked through a lot of my issues," he replied.
"By issues, you mean a certain Space Marshall?" Aidan laughed.
"You can kid all you want, Aidan," Sven replied, "but I finally came to terms with everything." He looked over his shoulder. "But I am trying to avoid the Vice Marshall. It's awkward enough as it is."
"Speaking of," Aidan asked, "where IS Len?"
"You do know what this means," Lenora said, standing toe to toe, and eye to eye with Aran….the man who killed her father.
"Yes," he replied. "I have lived far too long…longer than I should have considering what I've done. Even though I was under Syn's influence, I still blame myself for it, and have had to live with that horror all my life. I don't expect you to ever forgive me, Space Marshall…but I hope what I have done here today at least begins to repair the damage I have caused." She looked him in the eye, and though part of her still did not want to accept it, she nodded. The guards handcuffed him and took him away. She sat down at her desk and placed her head in her hands.
"It was all for nothing," she said. "All this time, that watch….he died for absolutely nothing."
"I wouldn't say that's true, Space Marshall," Lotor replied. "From what your husband has told me, it was your father's death that caused your change, and that change is what made your mother enroll you in the Academy. It seems to me that through the horror of that event, you became the woman that you are today." She sighed.
"To some extent, you are right," she said. "But I still wish he were here." The doors opened, and Alrek walked in, still bandaged up from the incident.
"Space Marshall," he said, "I'm requesting permission to stay here on Earth."
"You're not going back to Pollux with Sven?" she asked.
"No," he replied. "As much as I would like to spend time with my son and his family, I feel I too owe a debt to you and the Voltron Force. Space Marshall, I know the pain of missing your loved ones, wishing there were some way to get them back. I know I can't bring your father back, but I would be honored if you would consider me a father figure. I want you to know no matter what, we will always be family." She flashed a small smile.
"I'd like that," she said. Alrek gave her a salute and left the office. She looked over at Lysette and Lotor. "I guess this means I have a job to do."
"Ladies and gentlemen of the High Council," Lenora announced. "I would like to personally thank you for allowing me the honor to make the following announcement. First, that the former Prince of Korrinoth, Lotor Sincline, has been granted full pardon, and asylum here on earth. His service to the Alliance in these crucial months has been exceptional, and it gives me great joy that you have decided to grant this request." The crowd was silent for a moment. "Also, I would like to announce the promotion of Lysette Fabrere….to the rank of Admiral of Garrison forces here on Earth. She has shown exceptional courage and skill in these last few months, and has more than earned her place in Admiral Carletti's former position." The crowd cheered. She turned to Jon and smiled, and he leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"Still convinced that'll be us in ten or fifteen years?" JC asked Roxy. Roxy looked at him with a sly grin.
"That depends," she replied. "Let's see if you can keep up." She winked at him, and he raised an eyebrow. She took off running, and he immediately ran after her.
"Christiane," Cinda asked, "do you think this really is the end of Syn?"
"Syn is gone," she replied, "but I fear there is more evil out in the universe just like it that hasn't been discovered, or even fathomed yet."
"At least we have Voltron to protect us," Cinda replied. She turned around and came face to face with Hunk.
"Tsuyoshi…." She started to say. Without warning, he swept her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Cliff and Justine looked on.
"Those two are brilliant," he said.
"Yeah, they are," she replied.
"You know," he said, "I've had a lot of time to think lately, you know, risking my neck and all in parts unknown. And a thought occurred to me."
"Oh?" she asked. He nodded.
"No matter where the Defender takes me," he said, "my thoughts are always right here with you, love."
"That's sweet," she replied. Without warning, he turned to her and got down on one knee.
"That's why I want to make it official," he said, "for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?" She started to tear up.
"Clifford Jack," she said, "….yes. Yes I'll marry you." He slipped the ring on her finger and stood up, and they too kissed. Fireworks went off in the distance in celebration of today's events….the Thirtieth Anniversary of the official founding of the Galaxy Alliance.
Jon and Len sat quietly on their couch in their Triplex, enjoying a glass of champagne and pondering over everything that happened.
"I'm so proud of you, mon ange," Jon said to her. "Matthias would be proud…and I think your father would have been proud as well."
"I know," Len replied. "There's not a day that goes by I don't think about it. I'm glad the High Council is taking my decisions seriously, and even happier we finally have peace, even if it is just temporary." She glanced over her shoulder a moment. "I can't believe how well they sleep. I want us to always be there for them."
"And we will," Jon said with a smile. She turned back to him again.
"And you know what else?" she asked.
"What?" Jon asked.
"I'm proud of Grend and his team," she replied. "They remind me of all of us when we started out. I think back to the day I met them and made the decision to appoint them as pilots. And you know…I haven't one day regretted that decision."
"Good," Jon replied. She stood up and walked out onto the balcony and looked up at the stars.
"And I'll keep fighting," she said softly into the night air, "because, father, my dreams are worth fighting for. And I'll always keep our world safe with the help of Voltron…..Defender of the Universe."
*Stemmene er borte – The voices are gone
*Far - Father