Quintessence Effect the Rise of Lotor

by EvaShinobiKaiserKnight

A year has passed since the battle of the Citadel. Haggar has all but vanished and despite tragedy the Paladins continue to defend the Universe. But those from the ancient past have arrived seeking the aid of these new Paladins. A clue to her people is found. Now the Paladins must aid the mysterious Lotor to save not only the Alteans but construct a weapon to defeat the Reapers.

1. Chapter 1 The Prince of a Fallen Empire

The Rise of Lotor

ESKK: This is the sequel to Quintessence Effect. Thing of it as something similar to Mass Effect Paragon lost. Anyway, let's get this new fanfic started.

"Talking."

'Thinking.'

(Scene Break)

"Reaper/Leviathan/Rachni Queen."

-Music Insert/Lyrics-

Disclaimer: Neither myself nor Mr. Unknow claim any ownership of Voltron or Mass Effect. Voltron is owned by World Event Productions and Mass Effect is owned by BioWare. Please support the official release for both major franchises.

Summary: A year has passed since the battle of the Citadel. Haggar has all but vanished and despite tragedy the Paladins continue to defend the Universe. But those from the ancient past have arrived seeking the aid of these new Paladins. A clue to her people is found. Now the Paladins must aid the mysterious Lotor to save not only the Alteans but construct a weapon to defeat the Reapers.

But beware of the snake and its silver tongue.

(Start the Illusive Man Cerberus)

In a room void of light aside from a simulated sun that glowed stood two people, the Illusive Man and Miranda. "Shepard and the Paladins did everything right." Miranda said as she stood there. "More then we could have hoped for." Miranda said staring at the holographic sun before her.

"Commander Shepard and the Paladins uncovered the truth." The Illusive man added in, on what the truth was when it came down to it.

"Voltron and Shepard have the trust of the entire Galaxy." Miranda said calmly as she knew those two were their best bet in stopping the Reapers. "But still, it's not enough." Miranda said as she made a good point.

"Our sacrifices has earned the Council's gratitude, but the Shepard's and Voltron remain our best hope." The Illusive Man said holding it infamous cigar.

"But they're sending them to fight Geth. Geth..." Miranda stated, a little more irritated as she began to make her towards the Illusive Man. "We both know they're not the real threat." She said as she now stood in front of her boss. "The Reapers are and they're still out there. Waiting." Miranda stated, as the Illusive man took a moment to tap his cigar against the ash tray installed into his chair.

"And it's up to us to stop them." The Illusive Man proclaimed, as Miranda chuckled a bit.

"Hard to do so, all of our attempts to recreate Voltron have been met with failure." Miranda said as she looked towards her boss. "The closest we've got barely stands a chance against Voltron." Miranda said as she knew why. the Metals used in Voltron's creation was the deciding factor in the end. "The council will never trust Cerberus. They'll never accept our help." Miranda said as she crossed her arms as they were without exterior aid. "Even after everything humanity has accomplished." Miranda said before looking back to the image of the sun. "But Shepard and the Paladins, they'll follow them their galactic heroes bloody icons in every way that counts." Miranda said but there was one issue.

"But they have limits, Shepard is just one man and Voltron... one Reaper pushed him to the limits... imagine two or even an army." Miranda said recalling the battle of the Citadel. "If we lose Shepard or Voltron then humanity might well follow." Miranda said and thus The Illusive Man snuffed his cigar.

"Then see to it that we don't lose them." The Illusive Man said as he looked to Miranda.

(Prologue)

One Month has passed since an attack on the Citadel occurred by the rouge SPECTRE Saren, AI humanoids called Geth, and a being known only as a Reaper.

The attack left those who survived to rebuild from the ruins and even now they still struggle some.

During this attack, the human Alliance fleet made a tremendous sacrifice to save the Council itself. Thanks to that, Humanity was given a spot within the Council itself.

Thanks to the efforts of Voltron the defender was galactically recognized as a hero saving the Citadel and all its people with his tremendous power. Voltron was known since as the Defender of the Universe. The Council in that time had granted Voltron limited rights to act as they need to bordering towards actual SPECTRE's.

But for the hero crew of the Normandy and the Paladins of Voltron. They were sent out to take care of any remaining Geths, but more on their own terms as they were on the lookout for signs of the Reapers though no signs have been found. Officially the blame for the attack was placed solely on the rogue SPECTRE Saren to quell any rumors about the Reapers that wiped out Galactic Civilization 50,000 years ago both the Protheans and Galra.

The crew of the Normandy did complete their official assigned task with the Geth and currently making their way back to Council Space.

(Start Normandy)

In deep space the Normandy and the Castle of Lions were at work in their search moving silently through space in their search for any Geth activity. They were travelling over the ice Planet of Alchera as part of their current mission. One last sweep for Geth before they'd make their back to council space. For this crew, it was a long-awaited return too as being out in the Terminus wasn't fun one bit.

Still, they would be returning soon and once there a much need shore leave would be accounted for. Currently inside the cockpit of the Normandy the ace pilot of this vessel, Joker, was going through the motions as the crew behind did their part.

To his right was Navigator Pressly, doing his job. "The Board is green; we are running silent ladies and gentlemen." Joker said over the comms, always having fun doing that, while Pressly rolled his eyes.

"Same here we're all clear." Allura was heard over the comms as she reported from the Castle of Lions.

"I don't think we're going to find anything out here." Pressley said as he had a data pad in his hand. "We've been around this sector three times today and still no signs of Geth. I think we're in the clear." Pressly stated, before lowering his data pad and looking ahead alongside Joker.

"Three ships disappearing in this area in less than a month isn't normal at all well as normal as a slightly cheesy giant super robot counts." Joker said and thus Allura cleared her throat.

"Pardon me did you lot just call Voltron, cheesy?" Allura asked showing she did not appreciate that.

"Well, what I mean is... uh..." Joker trailed off knowing how defensive Allura could get about Voltron. "So Allura any clues as to how those ships have been vanishing?" Joker suddenly asked opting to change the subject.

(Over on the Castle of Lions)

The Castle of Lions had hardly changed much in the month since they began this mission. Even the crew had hardly changed with the Paladins all sitting at their designated spots in the Castle of Lions. Shiala was currently sitting in the Blue Paladins seat taking a more permanent role as part of the crew. Several changes had occurred mainly that the entire crew was comprised solely of volunteers. Each position on the ship had been filled with such after the original Alliance crew members took their leave.

"Hard to tell Joker." Allura began with the Normandy's pilot letting his quip on Voltron slide. "But it is cause for concern." Allura added as Kalvin agreed with his girlfriend.

"Let's just keep a look out then." Kalvin said and thus the group agreed.

"Personally, I'm looking forward to my own bed." Leon said as he sat with his feet plopped onto his console.

Penny nodded as she looked to where Rover used to float. She really missed the AI construct she had once befriended, but he sacrificed himself for their group, so Penny had to live on for his sake. Just then an alert popped up on her screen drawing Penny's attention. "Hey I got something." Penny said and thus all eyes fell to her. "It looks like a cruiser but not one I've ever seen." Penny added as this got the groups attention.

"We're getting the same thing here." Joker said as he found it concerning as well.

"Put it on screen." Kalvin said and thus Penny did so. What they saw was the oddest design ship they had ever seen.

"Well, that looks welcoming." Hector said as he looked at the ship in question.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Allura said as Coran also felt it.

"Princess..." Coran trailed off when Penny found something.

"Uh... guys the ship seems to be changing to an intercept position." Penny said but the group went wide eyed.

"But that's impossible no Geth ship could." Leon began but then Hector cur him off.

"Wait a second..." Kalvin said as the younger Shepard glared at the ship. "Every brace for evasive maneuvers now!" Kalvin called out and thus the enemy ship fired on both the Castle of Lions and the Normandy. Everyone held on as the Castles shields were able to endure the shot.

"Ok not friendly!" Hector cried out but Kalvin glared at the new foe.

"Paladins to the Lions now!" Kalvin called out and thus they all got moving.

Four doors activated color coded with red, yellow, blue, or green. Leon stepped into the red door, Hector into the yellow door, Allura into the blue door, and Penny into the green door. From there the four Paladins stepped into lifts that began to lower them downwards.

Kalvin on the other hand stood around the Black Paladins chair on the control deck revealing it had its own lift exclusive for him that began to lower. Once all the Paladins got to the bottom, they were met with handlebars for ziplines that they jumped and used to travel down a tunnel. Once they got to the end of the tunnels, they flung themselves down a slide like tube and landed inside hover pods and began to ride towards their individual lions.

Travelling a short path, the pods arrived at another lift that began to lift them up towards their lions. The pods were loaded into the lions and from there each of the Paladins went to the cockpits and activate their individual lions. The Lions eyes flashed to life before they each let out a mighty roar showing they were ready for battle.

One by one the lions launched with red, yellow, blue, and green launching from the four pillars of the Castle while the black lion launched from the main tower.

Moving towards the new ship the Paladins saw that the Normandy had suffered severe damage from their view of it. From the looks of the Normandy the kinetic shields are toast, and the ship was suffering several hull breaches. Chances are the crew would have to abandon ship.

"Paladins draw that things fire on us!" Kalvin called out and thus they got to work. Flying towards the enemy shit the Paladins opened fire with laser to get its attention. By the looks of it, their plan was working as the new vessel was firing on the Lions now.

"Ok we got its attention!" Leon called out before Allura contacted Corran.

"Corran gather the escape pods from the Normandy and prepare for an emergency escape." Allura said as they had to work fast.

Moving at their enemy the Lions kept the ship busy attempting to draw it away, but it did not follow. So, in turn the Paladins began to summon their Lions weapons. First was Leon and red as they summoned their ion cannon and fired it at the ship tearing through its flesh like hull. Following it up was Allura and blue using the sonic gun on the ship allowing for Hector and yellow to move in and bash through one of the areas with his lions claws and booster rockets. Penny came next as she fired off her own lions weapon that caused roots to grow from where she had hit it.

Finally, was Kalvin whose own weapon formed from the black lions wings. As the booster wings formed Kalvin roared and with his lion charge through the ship taking out whatever he can find from it. But when he got out of it, he looked and to his shock found the ship while damage was still moving. In fact, it was starting to regenerate as something rose from within it.

"ESTABLISHING CONTROL." A voice echoed and from it a massive Robeast like creature came out and went after the Lions forcing them back.

"What the heck is that a Robeast!?" Leon asked clearly caught by surprise with this.

"Whatever it is it's going down!" Kalvin called out and thus all the Paladins needed was for him to give the word. "Paladins its time, FORM VOLTRON!" Kalvin called out and thus it was time to form Voltron. The Lions roared out, their colored auras flashed to life, and their eyes flashed with fury before they flew in formation to form Voltron.

(Forming Voltron)

Black Lion roared out as it flew forward with its arms folding into the needed sections. First it folded backward before folding into the container units and once secured Black Lion began to take on a more humanoid look. Then Green and Red Lion flew in as they flew upward leaving behind a trail of energy in there colors as when they did their legs began to fold up and secure themselves to form the arms of Voltron as once, they did they flew off to continue the formation.

Next up was Yellow and Blue Lion as they flew in and began to fold up their legs to be secured and become more leg like themselves as once, they were secured they now looked more like legs. They were now ready for the finishing touches as they got ready to form up with their prides leader the Black Lion. Red Lion attached first as once it was in the socket a connecter shot out and not only secured the arm but also made sure it was usable as this caused the Red Lion to extend a bit to be the right arm of Voltron.

Green Lion was the next to connect as its back shield was now the shoulder pad for Voltron as once Green Lion was in the socket the connection was made and secured in turn allowed the arm to extend a bit to better form the arm like with Red Lion. As this was done Green Lion roared out. Once this was done Blue and Yellow Lions began to form the legs as when they did it was shown that once the Black Lions rear legs were inside Blue and Yellow Lions it began to seal up to both connect and secure the connection as once it did and both legs were secured the transformation was almost done.

Now that the body was formed Black Lion's head was now ready as the yellow eyes then flashed as the maw opened up as first the crown formed and in turn the maw opened up to reveal the face of Voltron as soon Voltron formation was done. When the formation was done Voltron then crashed the mass of Red and Yellow Lions before splitting them apart while a current of energy went through them. Voltron then struck a pose with legs and wings spread and the right arm pointed upward before releasing a burst of Quintessence that formed the Galaxy behind it in turn as Voltron was ready for battle.

(End formation)

Voltron glared at the new enemy as the new foe glared back before moving in for an attack. Voltron did the same and in turn the two clashed before parting and firing lasers at each other. Both attackers showed to be powerful and at the moment were contained to beam combat. Once they parted the creature reached out with its right arm and from it a large blade shot out from the wrist before it pointed it at Voltron.

"Leon! Form Sword!" Kalvin called out and thus Leon got it. With a roar Leon inserted his Bayard into the Red Lions slot and in response Voltron slammed his fists together and proceeded to form his sword. Once the weapon was drawn Voltron took a battle stance before both giant charged and began a sword fight against each other.

They continued their clash for a bit as the humanoid insectoid clashed with Voltron. They soon collided and their blades struggled against each other attempting to overpower the other.

The creatures, eyes flashed and what it said next surprised the Paladins to no end, it spoke. "We meet at long last... Voltron." The creature as Kalvin was shocked by this. The two parted ways as the creature looked at Voltron.

"Did that thing just talk?!" Hector asked shocked at what he heard.

"This is just like with..." Kalvin began and then recalled how they fought Sovereign and Zarkon's mech armor.

"That's a Reaper!" Allura realized as this changed everything.

"You are a being much like ourselves created to preserve life and order you can help us preserve order we can help you preserve order." The Reaper said through its proxy looking directly at Voltron.

"Sorry we're not going to help you psychopathic robots." Kalvin responded but the Reaper possessed entity did not respond to him.

"Does the organic infesting your form speak for you, Voltron?" The Reaper asked as he looked to Voltron.

"Ok rude." Leon said as he glared at the Reaper.

"You are called the defender, but you are only a destroyer by defending these organics you perpetuate the chaos they invoke." The Reaper said and thus it made its offer. "Join your kind, Voltron defend order with that great power of yours." The Reaper said as the Paladins glared at the reaper possessed monster.

The Paladins all glared at the Reaper when a growl echoed through their minds all saying one word, attack. In turn Voltron under his paladins control attacked the creature and cleaved it in two. "Even now you fail to see the truth very well, Voltron you shall be destroyed." The Reaper said before he released the creature that it had control over where it died instantly.

Just then an explosion caught the Paladins attention as they looked and saw the Normandy was in flames torn apart and destroyed. Several escape ships had already deployed and were being picked up by the Castle of Lions. "Kalvin!" Joker was heard from the comm links. "Your dad the commander he got spaced!" Joker called out and thus Kalvin was wide eyed to this.

Looking towards the wrecked Normandy he saw it was falling towards the planet making him panic. "DAD!" Kalvin called out and Penny was already on it.

"I got a read on his vitals but he's fading fast!" Penny called and thus Kalvin added.

"Boosters full fire now!" Kalvin called and the group got moving. Flying towards the wrecked Voltron zeroed in on Commander Shepard's form amongst the wreckage. "Come on! Come on!" Kalvin called out as Voltron reached towards Shepard.

"Vitals are dropping!" Penny cried out as Leon saw why.

"His suits been compromised." Leon called out as they reached for Shepard.

John was already trying to stop the air from leaking out but when he saw Voltron reaching towards him, he saw his son was desperately trying to save him. But before Voltron could grab him the enemy ship hit Voltron again knocking him off course. Shepard saw this and in turn felt the life fading from him. Entering an atmosphere, the loss of air, and the resulting impact... Shepard's life faded in a blaze of agony.

"No, we can save him! We can save him!" Kalvin cried out but Allura knew what was happening.

"Kalvin stop! Kal!" Allura cried as she knew what was happening. "He's gone... he's... gone." Allura said as the Paladins were pushing Voltron away from John knowing it was too late to save him.

Kalvin held back the tears as he saw the Castle of Lions before flying towards it. The enemy ship was still firing on it, but Voltron and the Castle's shields held it back. Voltron then split into the five lions, returned to the Castle of Lions before opening a wormhole. From there the Castle of Lions escaped.

(Meanwhile elsewhere)

In a ship hidden away from the attackers on the command bridge five figures were seen gathered as they observed what had happened. "Intriguing." The one on the command chair said as he looked upon the scene. He was quiet handsome in many regards his violet skin and ivory hair gave him this suave and mysterious aura around him.

"Intriguing how?" Came a red skinned alien as she walked over.

"The Reaper I mean." The man said as he explained himself. "IT seems they have a desire for Voltron as well." He said as they observed the scene.

"Well should we finish that fight then?" A larger being said as she cracked her knuckles itching to throw down.

"No." The commanding officer of the ship said calmly to his crew.

"No?" A blue skinned humanoid woman said to her leader.

"As the witch said we've been out of the loop for well over 50,000 years since the Reapers destroyed both Prothean and Galra empires." The man said as he made it clear as to what was to happen. "We need time to get ourselves acclimated, acquire resources and allies." The man said as he looked to his crew. "As we are all we have is us five, a vessel of androids and ships, and an incomplete unit stored away in combat freeze." The young man said as he tried to think of the best way to approach this.

"We can't afford to waste any resources especially on a fool's errand." The ships commanding officer said and in turn his crew knew he had a point.

"Well, where do we start sir?" The woman said as a silent woman entered holding a cat in her hands.

"We start from the bottom of course." The man said with a smirk on his face. "But I will ask, Axca, Narti, Ezor, and Zethrid." The man said standing from his command seat to look to the normal looking woman, the silent woman with the car, the red one, and the larger ones in order. "Can I count on each of you?" He asked and thus they saluted to him.

"Of course, sir." Acxa said as she was ready to serve once more. Narti simply nodded as her cat let out a small meow to him.

"We don't have much of a choice not that we'd choose otherwise." Zethrid said as she smiled at her XO.

"We're with you... Lotor." Ezor said and thus the man now known as Lotor smirked.

"Very well, set course for Omega the best place to learn about our environment is from the scum of the universe." Lotor said with a smirk on his face.

"At once Lotor." Axca said as their crew got to work on charting the course.

"If all goes as planned then factoring in any unforeseen complications a year at most will be ample time for us to prepare ourselves." Lotor said taking a moment to run the numbers in his head. They needed a great deal of things but to make it happen they had to be careful as to whom they recruit to their cause. But with no Galra Empire... what cause did they have at this point? Lotor smirked already knowing the cause his cause the defeat of the Reapers and the acquisition of Voltron's power.

(Scene Break Elysium Weeks later)

It was raining as Kalvin stood in front of his father's memorial. All of his friends and allies came to pay their respects to the hero of Elysium. John had a grave of Mindior also but right now Kalvin needed to be here. He and his fellow Paladins all wore black as did the original members of the Normandy. Allura stood with Kalvin as she too wore black knowing it as the human color for mourning.

Kalvin's living arrangements had already been settled even if it was only until his 18th Birthday. Ashley stood behind Kalvin as she was the one who opted to look after the boy. If things had ended differently, she'd probably end up as Kalvin's stepmother. But life was cruel even to those who had saved the universe. As it stands Kalvin was the last Shepard in the Galaxy. The rain kept up and it would be hours before everyone began to take their leave of the memorial.

(Scene Break 1 Year Later Montage)

News outlets had constant reports on them, the Paladins of Voltron their legend spreading across known space. Voltron was becoming a symbol of the galaxy that the Defender of the Universe was amongst the stars fighting the good fight. In fact, hardly a day has gone by since the Normandy was shot down when the Paladins were not reported for their noble actions.

To start off a group of Batarian slavers were attacking a human colony grabbing every man, woman, and child like they were animals. They would have gotten away if not for the actions of Voltron as the Paladins descended upon the scene making quick work of the ground forces. The lions took out their ships engines leaving the Batarians stranded as the lions began to hunt them down. The remaining forces were dealt with by the Paladins.

Another area of note of their actions of heroic could be sighted in Citadel Space when a corrupt body had attempted less then savory tactics. The Paladins had acted upon a hunch and discovered a Cerberus cell enacting less then humane experiments in the area. Voltron took out their facility on the spot while apprehending those in charge when able.

Citadel news, Alliance news, and even other news outlets from other races were noting these stories about the Paladins. But actions were not the only role the Paladins played in keeping galactic peace. People wanted to see their heroes to know them and to know that they can be looked upon to keep morale up. Many times, over the Paladins had found themselves invited to many talk shows on the Citadel doing interviews and doing public appearances. Thankfully, they were able to limit those events to ones that were actually for good causes.

Anderson had been a great help as well in the Paladin's actions. Since they basically freelance and rely mainly on volunteer's they are able to afford a lot of aid via donations. Yes, while Sven's family footed the bill for a lot of things the Paladins paid that back with their actions. The Galaxy was a big place and had a lot of dangers and wonders all around.

At the end of it, Voltron was making the galaxy a better place just as the Paladins of old had done. In fact, the Paladins were once more on the move heading to their next mission and with it the start of a whole new battle.

(Castle of Lions the Traverse)

1 Year it has been 1 years since the Normandy was shot down by the unknown vessel 1 year since the battle of the Citadel 1 year since the Galaxy came to know the Paladins of Voltron. The Normandy crew had parted ways ever since the ship was shot down and had been in relative contact with each other. Liara had been busy with some side project and had been unavailable in joining the Castle of Lions crew. Tali had returned to her people finishing her pilgrimage. The Paladins had gained some allies from the Quarians keeping an eye out for any on the Pilgrimage and letting them join the Castle crew.

Wrex had gone back to Tuchanka after the Paladins helped him retrieve his family armor. Allura swore Wrex was a doting uncle at times and she would miss him. Garrus went back the Citadel to apply for SPECTRE training, but they had not heard from him since. Ashley had taken up guardianship of Kalvin being Alliance Military and knowing his father it was easy for Ashley to do so. Kaiden was working with Anderson who had risen to the position of the human representative on the Citadel Council.

The Paladins themselves had not been idle in this past year. They had spent every moment doing good deeds for the Galaxy from tearing up Batarian slave raids, taking down criminal rings, and that one time capturing this crazy bald Biotic lady... that was not a fun fight. Kalvin and Allura's relationship has been going strong ever since they took down Saren and Sovereign. Zarkon's warning to them had not gone ignored and they had been attempting to prep the galaxy for the Reapers arrival.

Unfortunately, no one wished to pay attention to what the Paladins had to say when it came to the Reapers. All they could do was fight off the evils of the galaxy and attempt to find proof about the Reapers. In the Traverse, the Castle of Lions was seen patrolling the regions for any signs of dangers. The Paladins themselves have been gaining a deeper understanding and connection to their Lions rising ever closer to the peak that their predecessors had once been at.

At the moment Kalvin was resting in the master bedroom belonging to Allura. Spending most of his time here at night Kalvin had grown accustomed to the bigger bed and bigger room. Sleeping with him was the dozing Allura as she cuddled closer to Kalvin's chest. Kalvin smiled a bit but knew there was work to be done so silently slipping out of her grip Kalvin proceeded to prepare for the day.

(Later)

Kalvin walked down the halls of the Castle of Lions his outfit had changed in this past year. Now he wore something similar to the Alliance Military Uniform when onboard a vessel like this. However, Kalvin's was from an older variant his father left behind. Thankfully, it fit so Kalvin wore it for practicality. He had also cut his hair short not like his father had it but now it looked less like a mullet.

The day crew was starting to awaken as Kalvin saw several of them walking about greeting him. The crew was mainly comprised of volunteers, but the volunteers were in fact being paid. Since the Paladins act as a none profit group the Sven's family had been funding them so they can continue to operate.

Entering the lab Kalvin found Penny there a year older and with a new outfit. Still wearing her glasses Penny had cut her hair short and her outfit was now a green shirt, a pair of skinny jeans, and a lab coat over her shirt. She was working on a new machine as there was sizzling wires inside. Nearby was Hector as he had also changed a lot dressed more like a mechanic, he let his hair grow a bit and had the early signs of a beard on his face. There were a few other engineers mainly Quarians on their pilgrimages who helped to keep this place running.

"Penny how goes things?" Kalvin asked as he looked to Penny and Hector.

"It's going great." Hector said as he rolled out from under a Altean Pod heavily modified to act as a Kodiak.

"Yeah, been working on some new gadgets for us." Penny said as she smiled at the scene as nearby were several of her... gadgets... if you call an entire wall of it as such.

"Some?" Kalvin asked with a raised brow.

"Told you, you made too much." Hector said as he looked over to Penny.

"Always be prepared." Penny said as she got back to work. "I've also made some upgrades to our armors nothing major just some minor mods to get us through tight spaces." Penny said as she worked. She and Hector have become the main pair who handles modifications to the Castle of Lions, the lions themselves, and any upgrades to their gear.

"So, you just doing your rounds, Kal?" Hector asked as he looked over to Kalvin.

"Yeah, I'm about to go check in on Leon next." Kalvin said as he looked to the pair.

"Well don't let us keep you, better go now before Leon gets his Lion stolen by a pretty face." Penny said and thus Kalvin chuckled and walked off.

(Later)

Leon was found in the training neck working on his own combat. He was currently dressed in the jumpsuit made for the Paladins with a jacket over his shoulders. By the looks of it this was hand-to-hand training. Leon's hair had grown enough for him to put it into a bit of a tail which he took pride in as his warriors knot.

As he face against the gladiator, fought against it, well as he brought out a special battle rifle as he took aim at the Gladiator but before he could get a shot in, the thing came at him while he duck under its strike before rolling away as he took aim and fire upon it, taking out its shield before it shut down with Leon smile to this as he soon hear someone calling him out, "Hey Leon."

Turning around as he saw his best friend/leader as he came up to him raising his hand with Kalvin doing the same as they give each other a high give said, "Hey man."

"Nice work with Gladiator, what level?" Kalvin said as Leon answer him saying, "level 7 at least for a warmup, and testing out some new toys that Penny send over to the armory to try out and so far, they work."

"Good to hear, anything we could use effetely? Kalvin asked with Leon smile and said, "A few, the one I just use works pretty well that it can take down a huge shield in about 30 second, maybe 10 sec if you hold the trigger with no interruption."

"IS that all?" Kalvin said as Leon smirk a bit as he said, "Is that all. No way as we got this bag boy right here."

Putting down the gun he had as he lifted up a huge rifle of sort as he said, "The railgun system rifle, this works pretty well. They can pierce shield like paper, but the recoil, and the heating is a problem, so I am thinking of turning it into a bigger gun that we could attack to the outside of the castle, as we may have the laser beams that works pretty well when the shield is up, but these could punch a hole in an enemy ship in no time."

"It put it on the list for Allura to see, and if she likes it, she'll put it on Penny's to do list," Kalvin said as last thing he wants to make his girlfriend mad of putting a huge weapon on the castle without her permission, speaking of which, Allura is awake as she came into the room wearing her Altean civilian outfit with a white long shelve shirt and pants that dark at the time and white around the lower leg area with her new hair due, ever sense the council meeting over a year ago when they refuse to help, she decided to keep it short that barely come to her shoulders.

Leon saw her as he, seeing the look Allura was given before he smile a bit and pat Kalvin on his shoulder as he said, "I'm gonna put these back in the armory for now, catch you later."

"Alright then," Kalvin said as he turn to see Allura coming up as she said, "I take it Leon was doing some more weapons training?"

"And testing, as it seem Penny really on the roll on making some new toys for us," Kalvin said as Allura nodded and said, "I can tell… we have come a long way sense it almost been a year ago… sense that time."

"When the Normandy was shot down, and commander Shepard was declared dead," Kalvin said with his tone suddenly dims down to the last part as Allura put her arms around him and said, "It is alright to be sadden by this, I wouldn't put it pass."

"I know, but thinking about it won't do any good for me… I'm already numb to it," Kalvin said as Allura remember after what happen during that attack with Kalvin was just locked up in his room for a week without food, she had to force him to eat space goo to help him keep up strength in case of another attack, but thankfully there wasn't one, and after a while the paladin of Voltron gather together once more and made it their personal mission to hunt down the ship that attack the Normandy, and find that other reaper that they fought and lost against but so far there was no other attack, no other robeast or reapers for a year now, but that didn't stop the group.

Training from day to night within their lion to get better and stronger like the paladins of old, learning new things that the first generation never found out on their own about Voltron, preparing themselves when the reaper return, as it's not a matter of if, but when.

"I also heard that your birthday is coming up," Allura said as Kalvin roll his eyes and said, "Great, another reminder of how old I'm getting."

"You're not that old, your only turning seventeen, it is an important step before you will reach Adulthood," Allura said as Kalvin said other, "Yeah but not until for another year."

"It's still of a time of celebration, and beside It's not like I'm throwing a ball or anything like that," Allura said as Kalvin could only laugh at that thought as then their Omni-tools started blaring as someone was trying to call them as Kalvin said as he answered, "Shepard here."

"Ah good you answered Kalvin," Coran was calling them as Kalvin said, "What is it Coran, is it another request from the council or the alliance?"

"It's neither, we're getting an SOS signal from a nearby planet, and when I check it… Well, if better if you came and see for yourself," Coran said as he soon hangs up with Kalvin said, "We better see what he had found."

Allura agreed to this as she nodded with both of them quickly headed up to the command Deck as Coran was keeping a watchful eye on the screen as when Kalvin and Allura walked in Kalvin said, "We're here Coran, so what did you find?"

"Ah Princess Allura, I suppose you should know this as well," Coran said as Allura said to him, "What is the emergency?"

"Well, when I found that SOS signal, I track it down and use long range scanner and well… I found this," Coran soon bring up an image of the ship that attack the castle of lion and the Normandy a year ago, and pretty much killed a lot of good people including Kalvin's father as he soon ask, "How long sense it been there?"

"I don't know, an hour, maybe two before I found it myself," Coran said as Kalvin soon said, "Call the team, and notify the crew, we're going in."

"Yes sir!" Coran said and thus he got to work.

(Scene Break New Veridia)

The Paladins arrived over the planet via a wormhole to hold the element of surprise and from what they saw the ship had made a landing because it was not where the scopes had noted it. "Coran." Kalvin called as the Paladins were gathered in the command deck.

"Already looking!" Coran called as he worked on the ship's sensors. "Found it!" Coran said and thus they found where the ship had landed.

"On the colony of course." Leon bemoaned but they had work to do.

"Loud up on the Lions we're going in!" Kalvin called and then turned his attention towards Coran. "Coran keep the castle out of enemy range until we call for you." Kalvin said which Coran understood. Then from there the Paladins were ready to depart.

The four doors activated color coded with red, yellow, blue, or green. Leon stepped into the red door, Hector into the yellow door, Allura into the blue door, and Penny into the green door. From there the four Paladins stepped into lifts that began to lower them downwards.

Kalvin on the other hand stood around the Black Paladins chair on the control deck revealing it had its own lift exclusive for him that began to lower. Once all the Paladins got to the bottom, the Paladins were shown to be wearing their armor now. The armor had been upgrades with a few added stuff from the Alliance and a few gadgets from some of their allies for sticky situation. Hanging before them the Paladins were met with handlebars for ziplines that they jumped and used to travel down a tunnel. Once they got to the end of the tunnels, they flung themselves down a slide like tube and landed inside hover pods and began to ride towards their individual lions.

Travelling a short path, the pods arrived at another lift that began to lift them up towards their lions. The pods were loaded into the lions and from there each of the Paladins went to the cockpits and activate their individual lions. The Lions eyes flashed to life before they each let out a mighty roar showing they were ready for battle.

One by one the lions launched with red, yellow, blue, and green launching from the four pillars of the Castle while the black lion launched from the main tower.

(Scene Break Planet side)

The Paladins flew in and needless to say the scene they flew in on was not what they had expected to fine. From the looks of thing, they saw what appeared to be insectoid like creatures that were at work taking people who were frozen in place. "What the hell?!" Leon asked when he saw this.

"Those things are taking people!" Penny noted as she zoomed in and saw people being loaded into these pods.

"But why would they do this and for what purpose?" Allura asked as she looked down upon the scene. Allura was currently dressed in new Paladin armor exchanging pink for blue similar to what Sven had worn before he had been killed in action.

"Yeah, we got humanoid bugs and giant ass bugs flying around too." Leon added as Hector shivered at this.

"Paladins we need to rescue those people!" Kalvin called out but Penny had concerns.

"We need to keep our suits sealed I don't know about you, but I do not like the sight of those bugs." Penny said as she saw the swarm flying about and seemingly sticking to the frozen people.

"Agreed." Kalvin said and thus the Paladins got ready to land.

Coming for a landing the bug like aliens took note of the Paladins and when the Lions landed proceeded to open fire on them. The Paladins kept their suits sealed with their helmets covering their entire faces. It was good that they did this because the Swarm had attempted to come for them. The Paladins were soon being fired upon forcing them to cover.

"Well, these guys are certainly quick on the uptake." Allura said as she hid behind cover with the other Paladins.

"Lance, Allura you two flank left Hector Penny go right I'll go straight down the middle." Kalvin said and thus the group understood. The Paladins charged into the battle with Kalvin leading with his shield active. Allura and Lance went to the left with Lance firing his Bayard off at these insect creatures. Hector and Penny did the same towards the right but with Hector firing off his Bayard. This seemed to work for a bit as the Paladins began pushing back against their unknown foe while working to secure the people they were trying to take. Of course, being outnumbered the Paladins had to fight smart against such opposition. Kalvin cleaved through his foes with his Bayard as the weaponed carved through these bugs as he went.

Kalvin kept his shield active through this blocking laser shots from the bugs that kept attacking him. The bugs had been caught off guard when the Paladins arrived, so they had the element of surprise. Now that they no longer had it these things were attempting to establish the upper hand with their numbers.

Of course, having superior numbers was proving to change the tide as the creatures began moving in on the Paladins. "There's too many of them!" Hector cried out as they needed help fast.

(Back at the Castle of Lions)

Coran was monitoring the mission as he could hear the Paladins were in danger. "At this rate." Coran began but then something came up.

"New contact detected." A bridge tech cried out and thus the screen showed a new ship had arrived and from the design alone... it was a Galra ship.

"Oh dear." Coran said shocked at what he saw.

(Back in the Colony)

"We can't hold on for much longer!" Penny cried out as the Paladins were being cornered.

"There's just to many of them!" Leon called which got Kalvin to curse their luck.

Just then Coran was heard on the comm. links. "Paladins we might have a new issue." Coran said which made Kalvin's mood worsen.

"Now is not the time for bad news Coran!" Kalvin called but then they heard ship engines above. Looking to the source the group then saw much to Allura's shock, a Galra ship.

"The Galra?!" Allura cried out as the ship then released fighters from its hanger. Following it up was drop ships releasing Galra androids to fight.

"Oh, come on!" Hector called out and in turn the Galra drones charged in towards the Paladins with four unknown Aliens leading them. But when the Paladins were about to fight one of the four aliens spoke up.

"Stop dazing focus on the bugs!" She cried out as she and her forces ran right passed the Paladins and went for the bug creatures.

"What the are they here to help?" Leon asked shocked at what he was seeing.

More of the insect creatures showed up when one of the leaders the only male amongst them fired his rifle at them and joined his unit with the Paladins. "Paladins... I suggest you get to your lions before that ship attempts to take off." He said as he looked to the Paladins.

"Who the hell are you?" Penny asked as the young man surprised her.

"Introductions can wait we have more pressing concerns to deal with." The alien said pointing to the organic ship.

"He's right we need the Lions to take that thing vessel down." Allura said and thus the new arrival smile.

"Very well my forces will keep the enemy busy on the ground but hurry." He urged and thus the Paladins went back to their Lions. As this happened Lotor smiled and then returned to the battle. "Forward!" He called and thus he led his legion against these insectoid creatures.

(Meanwhile over with the Lions)

Once The Paladins returned to their Lions they bolted straight for the organic ship. Flying towards it they began to open fire on it taking note to how it looked. "Ok getting a good look now but is it just me or does this ship look like a giant beehive?" Hector asked as they flew around the ship.

"Yeah, now that you mention it." Leon said as he also took note to this.

"Guys focus we got company!" Penny called out and thus the ship returned fire attempting to stop the Lions. Thankfully, the Lions were able to power through as they activated their maw blades while firing laser shots from their tails. The biological looking ship was taking damage from this as the Lions were taking full advantage of this run. Tearing through the enemy forces the lions were proving to be powerful in the ways that matter. Once they got close, they began cleaving their maw blades through the organic ship causing a great deal of damage to the vessel. The beams tore through while the blades sliced through as the Paladins worked to take this ship out of the equation.

"Come on let's take this thing out!" Kalvin called out as he lead the charge against this vessel. The Paladins followed their leader into battle, but it seems that the battle would soon come to an end. The vessel began to move as lift off was beginning.

"Or not it's trying to get away!" Leon cried out as he quickly realized what was going on.

"You won't get away!" Kalvin roared and thus went for the frontal assault on this vessel. The lions roared out and went on the attack once more but with increased fury. The ship however was large and was making to the sky recognizing the threat the lions posed to it. The ship however was large, and the lions were small more, so it had defenses that it was using to force the Lions to back off.

The ship was in the sky as it flew upward towards space much to Allura's shock. "It's getting away." Allura cried out as she gave chase to the robot ship with the other lions. But just as the Lions were about to attack the ship fired off a beam not at them but at the colony bellow making its threat clear.

"The colony!" Penny cried out in shock and horror at what the enemy ship was doing.

"They're hitting it to get to us!" Hector called out and thus Kalvin knew what needed to be done.

"Fall back! Protect the colony!" Kalvin called out the order and thus the Lions went and acted as a vanguard against any more of those beam attacks from the ship. Thankfully, the ship was not firing at the colony anymore as it flew upward towards space. "Coran the ship is escaping do not engage!" Kalvin called out as the ship flew into space.

"Are you sure?" Coran asked as he found this concerning.

"Yes, the Colony has been hit by it do not engage!" Kalvin ordered to which Coran understood.

The ship flew off as it went towards space no doubt to escape the lions for the time being. Better to leave and lick their wounds by the looks of it. As the Paladins watched it escape, they knew that they had to focus on the people in order to protect them.

(On the ground)

Lotor said as he smirked at what he saw. The Paladins had done what was needed and alas these foes were escaping taking advantage of the Paladins compassion. As he saw this, he saw Acxa was nearby and called out to her. "Acxa the enemy is falling back coordinate with Ezor and focus on rescue and recovery, gather samples of these creatures while you're at it." Lotor said and thus Acxa nodded to this.

"Yes sir." Acxa called out and thus she went to find Exor and carry out the order.

"Now Paladins let's see how this all ends." Lotor said as he knew how this would play out. Soon enough everything will change and from there this cycle will lead to a great deal of changes in the galaxy.

(Back with the Lions)

Eventually the ship left and took off with what it could gather in the end. Leaving the planet, the Lions watched as the unknown ship was taking its leave. Kalvin growled as he slammed his fist on his controls as the ones who killed his father and shot down the Normandy got away.

(Scene Break later on the ground)

The Lions returned to the ground with the Castle of Lions landing not too far away from the scene. The Paladins came to the sight of the Galra androids aiding with rescue and recovery accounting everyone here and those who were still missing. "You lot aid with repairs to their dwellings I'd wish to leave these people with homes to return to and supplies to sustain themselves." Lotor said and thus the androids nodded and went to carry out the order. Lotor then directed his attention to the Paladins to give them introductions as promised.

"Ok now that those things are gone, who the Hell are you?" Kalvin asked as he looked to Lotor.

"Suspicion of my intentions I assume." Lotor began as he smirked at Kalvin. "Smart." He praised and thus got down to introductions. "I am Lotor son and heir to Zarkon... or at least I was in the previous cycle." Lotor introduced much to the Paladins surprise and concern. The Paladins even looked ready to fight if this should by chance turn towards violence. Lotor sensing this raised his hands to appease the group. "Be at ease unlike my father I have no intentions of instigating a war I neither have the numbers nor the resources for such a thing." Lotor said putting his hands up to show he meant no harm to the Paladins.

"Then what do you want?" Allura asked her voice dripped in suspicion of Lotor's intentions. Even if Zarkon had somewhat redeemed himself she still did not trust the words of a Galra at his word.

Suddenly Lotor does something that surprise Allura and the rest of the paladins. The prince got on a knee and bowed too Allura, with his generals following his lead. All five of them were seen bowing too Allura as Lotor then said, "Princess Allura, I have come for one purpose, to find you and help save the remaining survivors of your people."

"What?!" Allura said shock to hear this, as did the paladins. Kalvin was a bit surprised… and had questions about this but he was not going to voice this out loud as Lotor said, "You have heard correctly, a small number of your people have survived the reapers in the last cycle."

Raising his head to Allura, Lotor continued with his explanation to the Princess. "They were hiding upon a dead world, where I had gone to explore and found them." Lotor said as he explained the situation to Allura. "I took them in and put them into cryo chambers where I thought and hoped that the many worlds can recover after the harvesting of the reapers." Lotor said as he then sighed with a tone of guilt. "But in my rushed attempt to save them, I had disregarded certain aspects and in turn cause them to use their own Quintessence energy to sustain the cryo chambers." Lotor said and then got to the bad news. "As they are if they leave them now, they will no doubt die within moments." Lotor said showing he came here to seek Allura's aid to heal them.

There was a brief pause, as Allura was taking a moment to take this all in as she found out her people were still alive, as she said, "Stand… please."

Lotor and his generals all stood up again as Allura soon went on saying, "If what you're saying is true… then I ask that you take me to my people right away."

"I Understand, and I promise I will escort you to your people." Lotor said but then came his warning. "But while they are safe at the moment, they are also in fragile state weakened immune systems is just the start." Lotor said before getting to the next bit of his words. "There is one more issue that needs to be acknowledge as well." Lotor said getting to the worst news. "The place they are hidden away at is located in a dangerous part of space getting there will be a bit tricky," Lotor warned as Kalvin said to him, "And why is that?"

Lotor saw the black paladin is being cautious of him which he knew there would be someone like that. But knowing to play it safe Lotor continued on before he then spoke calmly as he said, "The colony I had created for the Alteans to live in peace is in a place that no mass relay can go through, and your wormhole technology cannot reach."

Lotor took a moment to pause his words as he knew the warning needed to be made. "The colony is hidden in the center of the Quantum abyss." Lotor revealed causing Penny and any who lived on ships to gasp in shock at the words Lotor had just shared.

"Yeah, uh what the heck is a Quantum abyss?" Leon questioned as he had never heard of something like that as Penny suddenly Spoken up saying, "Wait, are you saying that this colony is in a Quantum field where time and space bends around that could also tear apart or crush ships?"

"Yes, it is." Lotor revealed causing Kalvin to glare at him.

"And how do you expect us to get to them?" Kalvin asked accusingly to Lotor.

"Worry not, there is a safe path through it, and it was certainly lucky that the reapers had never found it." Lotor revealed as before providing more information. "I took a calculated risk that no one would dare go into the Quantum Abyss," Lotor said as Leon then said, "Hold on, are we talking about a black hole or something?"

"No, more like a place in space that surrounded by blackholes and dense neutron stars that will cause Quantum warping." Penny said as she explained what she knew about it. "That area of space bends time and space around so going through something like that is more or less a death sentences unless you know where a stable route is at," Penny said as Leon nodded… but still didn't get it but pretended that he did as Lotor said, "I can give you the coordinates to get as close as we can, but we must fly the rest of the way in smaller crafts."

Lotor then directed his attention towards Allura before he continued to speak. "If you are willingly to trust and follow me Princess Allura, I can lead you to your people." He said offering Allura the chance to reunite with the other Altean survivors.

"Very well then, but under one condition," Allura said as Lotor said to her, "Very well, what is your condition."

"You will travel with us in castle of lions and your ship will fly ahead of us," Allura said as upon hearing this one of the General's was about to react until Lotor held up his hand. It seems that he knew his followers well enough, as they stood down just as quickly before he lowered his hand and said, "Very well, I accept your terms princess, but to put my generals at ease, I wish for one of them to come with me."

"Very well, follow us to the lions," Allura said as she turn around and walks off as she walks to her blue lion with Lotor looking to the blue skin general of his. The prince of the fallen Galra Empire then waved his hand over to her as she nodded and followed him. Lotor was about to follow Allura until Kalvin stopped him and his general in his tracks and said, "You two will be flying with me in the black lion. The princess may be willing to hear you out but I'm going to keep my eyes on you."

"I understand, you wish to protect the princess, I will respect that," Lotor said as Kalvin give a slight nod to the side meaning to follow him as they did.

(Scene Break Castle of Lions)

The lions had return back to the castle, as no one dare say a word as they felt the tense feeling that was going on. The tension was so thick that you can also cut it with a knife. Plus given Allura's past with the Galra no one wanted to say a word at all about it.

Kalvin being a plight as he can with Lotor and his general as he escorted them into the castle, doesn't mean he won't keep an eye on them, as soon as they arrived at the castle, the two were brought to the command deck as he looked around and said, "This is a beautiful ship princess Allura."

"Thank you, Prince Lotor, but I did not bring you onto my ship for pleasantry," Allura said as she came up to the teladuv control as she went on saying, "You said you will give us the coordinates, correct?"

"Of course," Lotor said as he came up to the princess as he started telling her what to put in with his general standing by. Leon was eying her up, as he can say for a Galra chick, she wasn't bad looking as he came up to her and said, "Hey there, I don't think I caught your name before."

"Because I never gave it," The blue skin Galra girl said to him. Leon then came around to come face to face with her and give a charming look as he said, "Well, if we're doing this whole trust game stuff, how about you give us a name, I'm Leon by the way, Leon McLain."

The Galra girl didn't say anything as Penny came up to her and said, "You should just tell him your name, he not gonna stop until you do." With that the Galra girl sighed to this in annoyance as she said to him, "I'm Acxa, now leave my sight."

Leon did something stupid as he grab her hand and said to her, "You didn't say the magic word, Milady."

He soon found a foot between his legs as his eyes widen and fell down holding his groin as he let out a painful whaling sound as Penny could only laugh a bit and said, "You deserved that one."

As Leon was holding his crotch in pain Kalvin gave Lotor a skeptical look as he felt something was off. He had always trusted his gut instinct and rarely has it ever led him astray. Still, it would probably be for the best to at least hear out Lotor on this regard.

"You, ok?" Hector asked as he looked to Kalvin.

"Yeah just... just thinking." Kalvin said as he looked to Lotor and how close he was to Allura.

"About?" Hector asked and thus Kalvin got down to it.

"This." Kalvin said gesturing to Lotor. "Why wait until now to reveal himself and the other Alteans?" Kalvin asked as he glared at the scene. "It's been well over 50,000 years since the Reapers wiped out Galactic civilization why not emerge when the Reapers were gone, salvage the tech, and then rebuild in preparations for their return?" Kalvin asked as he found this to be concerning.

"Kal sounds to me like your either paranoid or jealous." Hector said and thus Kalvin rolled his eyes.

"So, you're just going to ignore a plot hole in all of this." Kalvin said and thus Hector thought about it.

"Ok good point but what if your wrong?" Hector asked in which Kalvin sighed.

"Then I'll apologize but until then we need proof of either side." Kalvin said and thus the duo was ready for any surprises Lotor may have for the Paladins.

"Coordinates received!" Coran called out on his spot and thus Allura proceeded to input the coordinates into the Teleduv.

Moving to her position Allura began to open up a wormhole for the transportation. "Activating the wormhole now." Allura announced and in turn the wormhole opened up. From space both ships flew into the wormhole as they prepared for the journey towards the Quantum Abyss.

(Scene Break outside the Quantum Abyss)

The Wormhole opened and from it the Castle of Lions and Lotors ship flew out and were met with the sight of the Quantum Abyss. The Paladins were surprised to find it as they had never seen anything like it before outside of data records in class. "Now that we've arrived." Lotor began as he got the groups attention. "I'll need a vessel so I can lead you through the Quantum Abyss safely." Lotor began as he looked to the group. "I'd recommend bringing only one Lion preferably one that can make the trip and back." Lotor added as he looked to the group.

"I'll go." Kalvin said as he looked to the group. "Black has the best shot with his wings to make a round trip." Kalvin said taking command of his team. "Allura you're with me in black." Kalvin said before he looked towards Lotor and Acxa. "Unless there are any objections." Kalvin added but Lotor chuckled.

"None, I think it is a splendid decision, a very practical move I might add." Lotor said and thus the choice was made. "All I ask is that you drop me off in my ship so I may acquire my fighter to guide you." Lotor said and thus their decision was made.

"Alright." Kalvin said as he kept close to Allura.

"Thank you." Lotor said and thus began contact his vessel. "Narti, Ezor, Zethrid prepare my fighter and no we are not about to fight anyone." Lotor said while walking away to speak with his crew.

(Later)

After the Black Lion had dropped off Lotor and Acxa to Lotors ship Kalvin and Allura waited inside the lion for Lotor to emerge. Their wait did not take long as Lotors ship came out and joined with the Black Lion. Using an open channel Lotor contacted the pair inside the black lion.

"Follow me and stay close the Quantum Abyss can be disorienting." Lotor said and thus activating his ships boosters he flew off with the Black Lion close on his tail. Lotor left a trail for the lion to follow as he lead, them through this distortion of space and time. Most ships if any would have been destroyed before ever finding a safe path towards their target.

In the Black Lion Kalvin and Allura were watching his every move as Kalvin looked towards Allura with concern. "I had Penny link up a direct comm between the Castle and the Lions... if these guys try something we'll be ready." Kalvin said as he knew this could very well be a trap.

"Of course." Allura said but she sounded distracted which Kalvin took note of.

"Allura are you ok?" Kalvin asked with concern for the Princess.

"Kal... I don't know how to respond to this." Allura said as she watched Lotors ship. "It's my people but I had given up hope of ever finding survivors." Allura said as she felt guilty about this. It was understandable 50,000 years had passed not even ruins of Altea had been left behind.

"If it's a trap we'll be ready... but if not." Kalvin began but Allura got down to it.

"If it's not then we have a lot of work to do both with aiding them and informing the Council at Altea is not as dead as we thought." Allura said a little hope filling her voice when she said this. There was so much to do so much to learn between her surviving people and herself. Access to their heritage and past as well as learning any new discoveries the Alteans made. More so with the Citadel Council already owing Allura and Voltron a great deal after Sovereign and the Robeasts a place at the Citadel was all but assured to the Alteans.

"We're coming close to the colony," Lotor said as his fighter and the black lion was getting closer to a world that near a sun. Allura gasped a bit to the sight of it while Kalvin was using his lion sensors to scan the world. Kalvin quickly saw that it has a stable environment for plants and living organic life to thrive on as he thought Lotor was heading there. So, it came as a shock when instead changed directions and was now heading towards it moon. Seeing this Kalvin was left confused as open a communication link before he asked, "Hey, where are you going? Isn't that there planet where the colony is located?"

"That was the idea, but I made a station on the moon first before the planet." Lotor explained as he lead the lion and the two Paladins towards the moon. "I had originally created a village on the planet for Alteans to live in but being apart for a long time, but then the incident happen," Lotor said as Allura and Kalvin wonder what he meant before Lotor went on saying, "And it best I show you first of why I came seeking the aid of Allura."

After that, the black lion flew over to the moon Lotor had spoken about. Lotor had then lead them to a base that seem a bit too sinister to Kalvin taste and questioned Lotor as he soon ask, "What is this place?"

"This is a base I constructed 50,000 years ago where I hid the Alteans when I rescued them." Lotor explained as he lead the duo to the base. "When the Reapers had invaded, I was forced to put them into Cryo sleep to wait out the Reaper invasion unaware of my horrid mistake," Lotor said as he mention his mistake again but not once did, he mention what it was. The Black Lion and Lotors fighter soon landed near the base with Allura and Kalvin preparing themselves for the risk of conflict here. Kalvin had his Bayard and Pistol ready for anything while keeping his dagger hidden away as his backup weapon. Allura did the same with her weapons before they left the black lion and found Lotor waiting for them. The Prince of the fallen Galra Empire looked to the pair with a neutral expression as he said, "Through here, I promise you that you're safe."

Lotor opted to walk in first to show that neither Kalvin nor Allura were in any danger here. Kalvin seeing this leaned over and then whisper to Allura, "Stay near me at all time, we don't know what is in there."

"I'll follow your lead," Allura whispered back before the both of them headed inside. They couple stayed close to Lotor but also a good distant away from him in case he pulls something. They kept walking before they soon arrived in a large room which look like a storage area with many-many tanks of sorts. Kalvin looks around feeling an ominous feeling before looking towards Lotor and asked, "What is this place?"

"This is where I placed the Alteans to recover, see for yourself," Lotor said as he wave his hand to one of the pods. Kalvin came up to one of the tanks but could not see in it due to a dust layer on it as he wipe it off and used a light to shine in it. When the pair saw what was inside the pod it shocked both him and Allura as she gasp to the site. Inside they saw an Altean alive, living and breathing if only barely. Inside the pod the Altean looked drain of life as well. Kalvin then turned towards Lotor and spoke in a demanding tone, "What did you do, what happened to them?"

"As I said before, I had the Alteans put into cryo sleep before me and my generals went into cryo sleep ourselves." Lotor explained the situation to the pair of Paladins. "But at the time I didn't realize how much energy it would take to sustain them." Lotor said as Kalvin and Allura were reminded of Vigil on Ilos. "So as the power ran dangerously low, the system I had installed started to draw in the Quintessence from within them to keep itself running." Lotor explained as Allura realized Lotor made the same mistake as the Protheans. "Thankfully, it was not enough to kill them but enough to help sustain their pods, but it went on for so long that it soon began to drain the life out of everyone," Lotor explained as Allura was saddened by this as Kalvin said, "If the system you had for them was killing them, how come you weren't effected?"

"As shameful as it is to admit it, the cryo pods I was in had its own system and power supply." Lotor said as he made it clear what had happened. "My generals and I had woken first without trouble, and soon came to wake them up… until I saw what had happen." Lotor said as he look at each Altean pod as he put a hand on them before he went on saying, "I held off on releasing them from their pods and focused my efforts to research a way to save them, but after a year I came to the conclusion."

Lotor then looked to Allura and revealed what his solution was. "My research had shown that a Quintessence transfusion was the only way to save them, but I only had enough for single test, so I try it on one Altean." Lotor said before going to the next bit. "Thankfully, it proved sufficient his life became stable, but only for a little while." Lotor said revealing that he just did not have enough for all of them, "They are alive now, but the life support system is the only thing keeping them alive." Lotor said which meant he needed more Quintessence a lot more actually.

"Is there a way to help them," Allura said as Lotor kept his back turn towards them as he give a slight smirk before he said, "There is within my research, I tried to find an alternative way to gather Quintessence, but all my searching came up empty… expect for one."

He turn around as he looks at them and said, "Follow me and I'll show you to where my search had lead me."

After that Allura and Kalvin soon follow Lotor to another part of Lotor's base. Eventually they soon came across a huge hanger area as Lotor came up to a control panel. Once there he typed in something before the doors opened up and inside was something unexpected as they saw a pair a huge ships in there with another ship that was more or less half completed. They saw many Galra robots were busy them up as Lotor said, "Behold, my creations, the Sincline ships."

"Interesting," Kalvin said as he was surprised to see a ship that was as big as some of the lions other than the black lion of course. But despite this he kept his guard up as he eyed the robots walking around. When she saw the ships Allura soon questioned, "What are these ships, and what are they being used for?"

"The Sincline ships were my way to help save the Alteans." Lotor explained as he directed his attention back to Allura. "These ships are made by a very rare metal that you cannot find on any world or even this universe itself." Lotor said as he came over to a workbench and grabbed a small fragment of it before he presented it to Allura as he said, "A metal that you should know."

He put it in her hand as Allura looks at it and felt it. As she fondled around with it in her hand before it gave off a certain glow and to her shock, she realize what it was as she then said, "Trans-reality metal, it's the same metal that Voltron is made of."

"Wait, Voltron is made up of this stuff?" Kalvin said as he grab the shard as well and look it over as Allura then looked back to Lotor and soon asked, "Where did you get this?"

"I can assure you it wasn't easy in anyway." Lotor began as he explained the struggles he had gone through. "I had searched in many area trying to find the lions myself, but it turned out that they had already been founded." Lotor said as Voltron was his Plan A and now the Sinclines were his Plan B. "I would have approached you and the paladins sooner, but you were hunting down a rogue SPECTRE I believe that they are called, and I dare not follow as I was still building my resources." Lotor said as he clearly had been working to get his footing in this modern galaxy.

"But then around the same time a research team came across a similar signature of an ore metal similar to Voltron's own." Lotor said explaining how he came upon it. "I found out it was a meteor similar to the one that had struck the Galra home world Daibazaal over 50,000 years ago." Lotor said showing the data as he spoke. "It was stuck between spaces making it difficult to retrieve. Bu we weren't the only one that had found it back then," Lotor said as Kalvin said, "What did you mean it was stuck between spaces, and who or what else was there?"

"The meteor had opened a rift." Lotor revealed answering Kalvin's question. "Somehow its special properties were triggered, and it had in turn rip opened a rift." Lotor said but had one more tidbit of information to add. "But if it was from our side or the other, I honestly do not know." Lotor said with a tired sigh on his part. "As for this other group I believe that they were called Cerberus," Lotor said as Kalvin sighed in frustration to this. He should have known that Cerberus may have tracked down a metal that was the same as Voltron to no doubt build their own. Kalvin still remember the Illusive Man who had showed the paladins there were many races trying to recreate their own Voltron but met with failures. Kalvin can bet his bank that Cerberus was also trying, but like everyone else failed as well as Kalvin said, "What else happen?"

"I had foolishly tried to make an alliance with them to see if we could split the finding of the meteor, but they attack without warning." Lotor said as Kalvin had to give Lotor a pass on that he didn't know about Cerberus at the time. "Luckily, we're Galra fighting is in our nature, so we defended ourselves." Lotor said with a smirk on his face at the memory. "During the chaos we had managed to pulled out the meteor during the chaos, causing the rift to close." Lotor said explaining that they solved a problem. "But in that moment when we were pulling it out, a stream of Quintessence came spilling out. The readers were off the charts and from there I knew right away my answer, to the Altean's situation." Lotor said as he turned towards the ships and said, "I had tried to gather some, but the rift close up before I could attempt to try, but with that I knew the meteor was the key to opening another rift, a controlled one where I can gather enough Quintessence to help heal the Alteans and supply the universe with enough energy to fight against the reapers… until I came to a dead end."

"What happened?" Allura said as Lotor points out to the first ship and said, "I try to do a test to see if I can open up a rift into the Quintessence realm, but each time I failed to do so, I realize I was missing something, so I dive back into my research and soon came upon something else."

Lotor went back to the table and picked up something else as it was a book of sort. He then walked over to Allura and presented the book to her which she took and then opened it up. To her shock Allura saw what was written in it as it had images of the lions within it as she said, "My father's journal, I thought this had been lost with my world?"

"Thankfully not." Lotor said happy that it was secured. "It would seem that some of the surviving Alteans grabbed as many things as they could from Altea before they fled." Lotor said before gesturing to the book. "This was among the personal items where I found many things with this book, I believe some of the Altean who had these items were alchemist that may have worked with your father." Lotor said before letting off a tired sigh. "I do wish I could ask them but…" Lotor said as he trail off with Allura nodded and said, "But doing so may kill them, and may not even get an answer."

"Correct, so my last hope to save them lies with you Princess Allura." Lotor said as he made clear he needed Allura's help. "I need your help to find the last key in completely my ships," Lotor said as Allura looks at the journal for a moment. Kalvin still didn't like this noting to many unknowns. But he kept his mouth shut for the moment as he hopped Allura will make the wise choose as she said, "Alright, I'll do it."

Watching the entire exchange seeing the hope in Allura's eyes Kalvin could not help but feel like there was more in play here. Still, he could not take this away from Allura either. So, it was with heavy heart and deep concern Kalvin opted to let it be for the time being. But first they would have to make the trip back to the Castle of Lions to alert the crew of their findings.

(Scene Break the Castle of Lions)

After making the return trip Kalvin and Allura stood before the crew as the couple gave them the rundown of what they found. "We're going to help him, what he told us was in fact the truth as far as we know." Kalvin said making it clear over what was going on. It was then followed by Lotor's image appearing on the screen curtesy of a communication link.

"So how are we going to do this?" Penny asked as Lotor smiled on his screen.

"Simple my dear, I have a small facility located in Omega curtesy of one Aria T'lok." Lotor said as Shiala bemoaned to this.

"Omega? Why does it have to be Omega?" Aria asked as she sighed in frustration over this revelation.

"I assume Omega is not the most, friendly of places." Corran said as he heard Shiala's despair.

"No in fact it's a den of crime and villainy, and Aria is in charge of it all." Shiala said giving information to the group.

"Who is this, Aria?" Allura asked as she looked over to Shiala.

"I've only heard of her in passing but she's an Asari who's in charge of Omega." Shiala said before Lotor cut in.

"Yes, I've met her; and she and I have been in contact." Lotor admitted making his connection clear. "I've aided her with certain unpleasant matters within reason and in exchange she allows my vessel and crew to dock at Omega without issues." Lotor said as he seemed calm about this. "I have some tidbit of data hidden there that should aid us in our quest." Lotor revealed and thus with a nod the group was ready.

"Alright then, set a course for Omega." Kalvin said and thus Lotor nodded to this.

"We shall meet you there." Lotor said before he ended the call with the Paladins.

(Meanwhile at Lotors ship)

Lotor sat in his chair with a smirk on his face. "So, I'm guessing everything went well?" Ezor asked as she smiled at Lotor and his small victory.

"Quiet, frankly it went better than I had anticipated." Lotor admitted with a smile on his face. "For now, let's lead the Paladins along give them the bait give them what they desire, and they will dance to our tunes." Lotor said as he smiled almost sinisterly.

"Sir what about the leader?" Acxa asked with concern over Kalvin.

Lotor's face then contorted to a small frown when Kalvin was brought up. "Yes, he and his distrust may prove to be an issue." Lotor said feeling that they needed to deal with Kalvin in a way that did not negatively affected Voltron. "Narti, I trust you to keep me appraised of the issue." Lotor said directing his attention to the ever-silent Narti how then bowed to Lotor while Kova the cat meowed. "Good, now then Ezor plot a course for Omega it's time we paid Aria a visit... and some tribute." Lotor said knowing that the Paladins being on Omega may cause a bit of a stir on Omega. These were issues that Lotor would very much rather avoid upon their arrival there.

"You got it." Ezor said with a nod and with the others got on the controls. This was a delicate game and the less the Citadel Council is involved the better.

(TBC)

ESKK: Well, here it is the first chapter of the Lotor arch. Hope you all enjoy it and will leave a review for us. So until next time folks, ja-ne.