cubbieBlueMako - Stick to coffee indeed. Though I assure you, the season isn't over.

animebookchic - Oh, it'll get worse before it gets better.

Author's Note - I like how this chapter starts out a lot like a Voltron Force episode. This finale is going to be awesome!

Without my muse, I am nothing.

Theme Music : None

Disclaimer - Voltron and all associated characters are the property of WEP. Space Marshall Lenora Hawkins and associated characters are the property of KathDMD. Admiral Lysette Fabrere and associated characters are the property of selena devargo.

Episode 123 : "Connections – Part I"

Keith and Allura stood on the sidelines of an outdoor training facility on the Academy grounds. They looked on as Daniel and Larmina sparred.

"Feeling any better?" Allura asked.

"Yeah," Keith replied. "I had just enough time to check in on Alexander and the baby before heading over here."

"Nanny's been a lot better since the baby came," Allura laughed.

"Even more overprotective, if you ask me," Keith replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I sneezed while holding Rory, and she took her away and shoo'd me out of the room!" Allura laughed.

"She's just being cautious," she said.

"I know," Keith replied. They watched Daniel and Larmina going at it. "The cadets are getting along well."

"They're not exactly cadets anymore," she said. Keith chuckled.

"You're right," he replied, looking on. Daniel and Larmina stared one another down. Daniel came at her, and she poised ready to defend, as he training taught her. He went to strike, and she turned to trip him with her staff, then redirect his momentum, but he countered by tumbling forward, turning and firing his claws into her staff and pulling it from her.

"Hey!" she shouted.

"You knew I'd have to beat you eventually," Daniel snickered.

"It was a fluke," she snorted.

"Try again?" he asked.

"Without weapons?" she asked. He tapped his Voltcom, and it deactivated. She did the same.

"Alright," he replied, "let's do this." They came at one another, and exchanged blows, fighting hand to hand. Keith leaned forward, watching intently.

"He's getting better," Keith remarked. As they landed a few more blows and pushed off one another, Allura suddenly slumped over, doubling over in pain and holding her head. "Allura! What's wrong?" She felt a strange sickness in her stomach, and a dull pain from her stomach to her chest, her head pounding. Larmina crouched as well, and fell to the ground.

"Larmina!" Daniel said, rushing to her aid. Keith cradled Allura in his arms.

"Allura, speak to me!" he shouted. "What's wrong? What's happening?" She weakly opened her eyes, fighting against the pain and uttered a single word.

"Blue…." She eeked out before losing consciousness.

Darkness covered Castle Doom as the planet approached its nocturnal phase. In the depths of the castle, deep within her lab, Haggar was working on her latest creation. As she was about to add a liquid to her cauldron, a Drule General entered the room.

"Your Excellency," he said, his arm across his chest with a bow of the head in reverence, "Our forces are ready to deploy. Where shall we focus our attack?"

"The Castle will still be somewhat guarded," she replied, continuing her actions, "but their forces will be scarce. I do not think we can take the Black Lion, but perhaps Red or Green would be easier targets, being furthest away from their defense grid."

"An excellent idea," he replied, bowing his head once again.

"Wait!" she shouted abruptly, her head down, staring deeply into the cauldron. "It seems we may have another option."

"What is it?" he asked. She smiled as she stared into the cauldron.

"It appears that the tainted water of Lake Arus has had a surprising effect," she replied. "I want you to carry out plans as ordered. Lord Kanji would have us take out the furthest lion…the Red one. But in doing so, it will of course lure the others. But the advantage would be ours!"

"I don't understand," he replied.

"You will in time, General," she cackled. "And the Voltron Force won't realize it until it is too late!" She continued cackling, Cova letting out a screeching meow in agreement.

"She's coming around," Doctor Ecron said as Allura's eyes fluttered.

"Allura," Keith said, looking into her opening blue eyes, "are you alright?"

"I'm not sure…" she said, still feeling woozy. "Something is wrong….with Blue."

"Blue Lion?" Daniel asked, turning away from an unconscious Larmina for a moment. "How can it affect her?"

"Whether you want to admit it or not," Allura said, looking directly into Keith's eyes as to say 'See?', "the lions bond with their pilots. They share a connection. And right now, something is happening to Blue. It's affecting me….and Larmina."

"So you and her are connected to Blue Lion," Daniel said. "Could all this have something to do with the contaminated water?"

"Blue Lion was in contact with it?" Allura asked.

"Flooded with it," Daniel said. "Lake Arus surrounds the den." Keith activated his communicator.

"Vince," he said.

"Yes, Keith," Vince replied, "what's up?"

"I need to you have Blue Lion brought into the repair bay," he said. "We need to run a diagnostic and find out if Blue has been contaminated."

"I'm on it," he replied. The communication ended.

"Even if we find it's contaminated," Keith said, "I'm not even sure how or if we can contain it."

"We still have the solution Pidge developed," Daniel said, "and we have Vince. Maybe he can do something."

"Let's hope," Keith said. Larmina began to stir.

"What….what happened?" she asked, trying to sit up.

"How are you feeling?" Daniel asked.

"Sick to my stomach," she replied. "I don't understand…"

"Your aunt thinks there's something wrong with the Blue Lion," he replied. "And it's affecting you and her through your bond with the lion."

"Huh?" she asked.

"Vince is bringing Blue Lion in to check it out," Daniel replied. "Let's hope whatever it is, it wasn't serious."

Kerza began to stir. As he awoke in the cell, his eyes opened to see Malva sitting across the room on the floor, her knees against her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them.

"I'm a monster," she said softly.

"I wouldn't say that," Kerza replied. As he got up, he realized his memories were still intact. His proximity to Malva and the ring proved to stave off his impending amnesia. "Haggar spoke through you. She may even be hearing the words I speak to you at this very moment." Malva closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Her focus isn't on me at the moment," Malva admitted. "But you're right, if she wants to, she can hear and see through my eyes. All the more reason for me to give the ring back to you."

"Your death will not help matters," he protested.

"She's already seen your memories," she replied. "The woman you spoke of….she implanted the memories in it. I have already seen her hard at work trying to find her." She closed her eyes again. "You were more than just a prisoner to Haggar. She believes you are a bargaining chip for her….granddaughter?"

"If you have seen the memories," he said, "then you know I'm not from this universe. I was drawn here. I shouldn't even exist." She placed a hand over her mouth in shock and gasped. "It is why even though Haggar was able to manipulate you into physically trying to harm me, she cannot cast even one spell on me. Her magic will not work on me. That alone makes me a threat to her."

"All the more reason to give you the ring," she said. "Without it, you will forget it all. And me….there's no hope for me. As long as I contain Haggar's essence…."

"We'll find a way," he replied adamantly. "There's a reason you're here, wearing this ring, and still alive, I know it! We just need to…." The castle alarms began to blare. "What's happening?" She closed her eyes once again.

"The lair of the Red Lion," Malva said. "She's sent a force of ships to try to destroy it!" He gasped and ran out of the cell, the field resuming after passing through it. She sat there in silence, contemplating what it all means.

To be continued….