Chapter 9: Another Explantation(Shiro's POV)

Shiro watches as the creature stokes the fire, his arms crossed, wondering why he needs to stoke the fire anyway. The fire is well lit as as it is.

Romelle comments, "This place is disgusting."

"I have called this place home for two decaphoebs." answers the creature.

Embarrassed Romelle laughs, "Oh well, uh, disgusting is the Altean word for amazing. You, uh, don't happen to speak Altean do you?"

"The signal is below us," Pidge observes.

"You are clever. But I wouldn't expect anything less from the Paladins of Voltron and their comrades."

"You remember us?" Lance asks.

"Of course you were only gone for three decaphoebs. I am surprised to see you though. We thought you perished."

"Yeah, we just found that out. But we're back now."

"I am grateful that you are. It's been so long since I had….gue….I mean hope."

"Thank you for your generosity in sharing your home with us. But who are you and what exactly happened here?" He asks, searching for answers as to what caused so much destruction.

"Bloodshed. Carnage. Death, all happened here. I am Macidus. This is my home planet. But now I am the only one alive in the ruins of my home."

"What are you doing with these?!" Krolia questions.

"I hang them in the honor of the fallen Blades who sacrificed everything to protect the universe."

Krolia puts away her gun and asks, "How did it happen?"

"It all started when Voltron and Lotor disappeared. When you disappeared. A power vacuum spread throughout space destabilizing the Galra Empire. They turned on each other. Factions were made, the most prevalent being the Fire of Purification faction. Warlords and pirates also took the spoils because of the power vacuum."

Lotor asks, "And what about Haggar? Zarkon's right hand woman?"

"No one knows, but the Druids took on the responsibility of destroying the Blades from the face of the universe."

"After I took the throne almost every Marmoan agent was exposed."

Fear grips Shiro's heart.

"That's when the slaughter began. The Blades were decommissioned from their previous assignments and sent here to fortify a base. Kovilan knew they were being hunted and wanted to make a stand against them."

"That must be why they abandoned that base we found."

"My people agreed to help them when they arrived, however the druids arrived unexpectedly. And after a long battle of attrition the base finally fell. The battle was horrid. For each Druid we managed to defeat, nearly a hundred blades would fall in their place. Casualties skyrocketed on every side and eventually all had fallen. I only escaped such an onslaught of violence because a piece of rubble buried me and hid me. I've been broadcasting the signal Kolvain gave me in the hopes to find any remaining Blades left."

"There are still a few of us alive." Krolia says.

"Good."

Krolia then walks to where the Blades of the fallen Marmoan agents are. In a somber tone she says, "I recognize many of these blades. I even trained some of them myself. If only I was here."

Shiro puts her hand on her shoulder. "Their service will not be forgotten."

He notices the blade in her hand and she holds it with respect and sadness. Suddenly a light flickers for a brief moment before it disappears. "What was that?"

"It flickered."

"What does it mean?"

"A Blade of Marmora's life force is connected to their blade. Kovlain's flickered meaning he's still alive."

Macidus says, "Just barely."

He quickly turns around to see Macidus stand up. His heart pounds, terror making him freeze.

"Seems you replaced your first Red Paladin with another. Was it because of his hand injury I wonder?"

"First Red Paladin?" Shiro asks, whispering.

"You don't remember the boy? The one that wanted to take some of my Quintessence. His hand was scared in our battle."

He summons his bayard and it turns into a sword, his heart still pounding. "You've been using that signal to draw Blades in!"

"I knew keeping Kolivan alive after that horrendous battle was worth it." He then disappears from sight and a black stone with purple lights falls.

Heart thumping rapidly against his chest he disappears as the stone breaks and purple light bursts out. Breathing heavily, he looks around. He's in a different part of the cave. Looking around he sees a purple light emit from one of the tunnels. Turning he runs down a corridor not where he is.

Seeing blanks of wood, he concentrates and tries to calm down his still rapidly beating heart. Suddenly he's under the plywood and not a moment too late as he hears a creaking noise come from the planks.

Then it stops and he tries to hold his breath to not let a sound out. His heart begins to beat faster again. When he moves forward a sword inches from his face has cut through the plywood. He then teleports again, reacting on pure fear and adrenaline.

Running away from Maicdus he sees him teleport right in front of him. Turning around he's surprised to see the creature up close. Reacting to the scare he slashes his sword at Maicdus's face. But instead of drawing blood Maicdus's face splits in too revealing a different face underneath. Maicdus then teleports away from him laughing maniacally.

Desperately he looks around and sees Maicdus standing a few feet away from him.

"There is no escape but death!"

Maicdus lunges at him yelling a battle cry. He narrowly dodges Maicdus's sword by doing a somersault. He then runs but Maicdus stops him by swinging his sword. He dodges a few strikes before bringing up his own sword to deflect Maicdus's strikes. Grunting under the pressure of holding the strength of Maicdiu's strike, he quickly sidesteps and runs.

Panting he continues to run despite not knowing where the hell he's going or what he's running towards.

Noticing Maicdus try to strike him from above, he teleports out of the way. Heart hammering, he looks around and notices Kolivan being suspended in the air. "Don't worry me and the Paladins will get you free." But just as he's about to move forward Maicdus appears in front of him laughing maniacally.

"Our High Priestess has forsaken us because of your and Lotor's disappearances. Once I kill you and the rest of your team and I bring the Emperor to Haggar, she will welcome me back with open arms!"

He then charges wildly at Shiro. He manages to dodge the first attack and strikes one of his own. But Maicdus disappears before it can hit. Dodging another attack from his side, he swiftly turns his blade to his side hitting Maicdus. The force sends the Druid back into the wall but before Shiro can strike him while the Druid is done he teleports and gets himself back up.

He sends a blast of purple lighting his way and it hits him making him groan in pain. The force of the blast makes him hit a wall making him groan even harder. He tries to stand up but shudders from the effort.

Miraculously a blast of debris falls from the ceiling revealing Lotor, Krolia, the paladins and Team Miraculous all battle ready after the dust settles. He smiles, the battle is not over yet.

Maicdus laughs, "I'm going to enjoy making Kolivan watch your end."

The fight rages on and Shiro notes Maicdus's constant use of teleportation. Maybe because he can teleport he can sense when Maicdus can. Closing his eyes he concentrates on seeing Maicdus while he teleports. An image pops up in his head and he throws his sword where his mind says Maicdus should be.

His sword successfully embeds in Maicdus's side making his presence known and turning him into dust.

"Thank's Shiro," Lance says.

"No problem Lance. I'm just glad that's over with. Now help me get Kolivan to the ground."

A Few Moments Later:

"He's in pretty bad shape. But it looks like it isn't life threatening so he should be okay." Pidge comments.

"I…I'm sor…ry my code lured you here." Kolivan speaks.

"It wasn't your fault. You couldn't control who your code would bring." Shiro reassures him.

"The coordinates I gave you… The Altean Colony…. Did you find it?" Marinette asks Kolivan.

"I… I sent a team.. But there was nothing there. They were gone."

Krolia sighs and comments, "Judging by how many blades Maicdus collected it looks like he dealt a critical blow to the Marmora. But he has not defeated us entirely."

Sighing, Kovlian mutters, "I must find the others. Rebuild the Blades. The Universe needs us now more than ever."

"I will join you. We will revive the Blades together. We'll just need to find a ship."

"The druid has a cruiser stored nearby. We can use it to help our cause."

Krolia smiles, "That's the first bit of good luck we've had in a long time."

"What about Keith? Meeting him? Saying you're sorry!?' Marinette shouts.

"What?!" The whole group shouts, including him. He says, "What about Keith?"

"I'm his mother. I left Earth to protect him and the Blue Lion…."

"What?!"

"I wish I could go to Earth and be with him again, see how he's grown. But Kolivan needs help rebuilding the Blades and…"

"I understand. I just also wish you could come with us." Marinette says.

Krolia smiles again, "Say hello to him for me when you get to Earth."

"Will do!" Marinette salutes.