The Rise of Lotor
ESKK: Let's begin the new chapter.
(Start Castle of Lions Hanger)
Lotor and Allura stood before the final Sincline Flier as it had at long last been completed. Acxa was on Omega with the rest of the Generals to do a small supply run and to clear out the penthouse. They should return a little bit after Lotor and Allura finishes the first flight into the Quintessence Field.
They had made the journey to the ruins of Planet Daibazaal where Lotor had constructed the Quintessence Gate to open a stable rift into the Quintessence Field. Daibazaal came apart because of the Fields effects on the planet and the threat of consuming the entire galaxy forced the Paladins to destroy the planet and the rift.
Kalvin had yet to return from his investigation and despite what Allura learned they had no time to wait for him. Leon, Penny, Hector, Coran, and Shiala were on the command deck of the Castle observing from there as Allura and Lotor stood before the Sincline flier.
"I've waited an eternity for this." Lotor said as he looked upon the final piece of the puzzle in the Sincline.
"We've done everything we can to prepare us for this moment." Allura said before she looked over to Lotor. "We're ready." Allura said looking over to Lotor.
Lotor returned the look and smiled at Allura. "It means so much to share this with you." Lotor said ready to launch.
(Later)
After Allura and Lotor boarded the Sincline flier as the pair were starting the vessel up. "Beginning system check." Lotor said as he began to input the needed commands. "Front and rear stabilizers." Lotor began as Allura confirmed this.
"Front and rear stabilizers are go." Allura said confirming the system was operational.
"Quintessence collection array." Lotor said as the main members of the crew observed from the command deck.
"Quintessence collection array is, go." Allura responded seeing that the most important system was green.
"Infercells." Lotor continued to list off for the System check.
"Infercells up." Allura responded imputing the commands.
"Dynatherms." Lotor listed getting to the final launch sequence.
"Dynatherms connected." Allura said as the engines were coming to life.
"Switching on Mega Thrusters." Lotor ended as the ship was about to launch.
"Mega Thrusters are go." Allura said and thus it was time to move out.
(Castle of Lions Command Deck)
"Ok I cannot be the only one who thinks this is nuts." Hector said as he voiced his concerns. "This thing was built ages ago how do we even know it still works." Hector said gesturing outside. Outside of the Castle was the ruins of Planet Daibazaal life had yet to return to it if it even could. Its destruction followed by the Reapers harvest ensured that the planet may never see life again. Over the planet was the massive Quintessence Gate that Lotor had constructed for this very mission before being summoned by his father to fight the Reapers. "They have to make it in there and that's a risk there's no telling if they can even make it back out." Hector added making his concerns here known.
"Not just that." Penny said with her own data pad. "Leon was right there was a virus installed into the Castle of Lions outside our notice." Penny said as she had managed to quarantine it after Lotors crew had left.
"Why would someone do that to those he's asking aid from?" Shiala asked as she knew there was something amiss with all of this.
"We know Lotor's crew installed a virus and we're still going through with this?" Coran asked as he found this to be fool hearted and reckless.
"Lotor doesn't know what we know we need to find his true intentions and we can't do that without Kalvin." Leon said as he did not want to make a bad move. "All we can do is stall for Kalvin to show up." Leon said knowing without the Black Lion they can't form Voltron.
"Then he better hurry." Penny said with concern for what came next.
(Back with the Sincline)
The airlock opened up as the Sincline began to hover. Once they were ready Lotor and Allura took off and headed towards the Quintessence Gate. AS Allura saw the Quintessence Gate coming into view Leon's voice called in.
"Allura." Leon said and thus Allura looked.
"Yes Leon?" Allura asked looking towards Allura.
"Get back safe." Leon said with a calm look. "Kal will have my ass if anything happens to you." Leon added causing Allura to smile.
"I will." Allura said and thus she focused on the mission. Unknown to her Lotor saw the gate and a smile slowly formed on his lips a smile that did not seem friendly.
"10 tics to gate entry." Lotor said beginning the countdown while inputting the activation codes for the gate. The gate began to activate as they approached with the Sincline also glowing as well to match the neon blue color. Everyone was at the edge of their seats because if this succeeds, they will be one step closer to achieving victory over the Reapers and salvation for the Alteans. "Are you ready?" Lotor asked as he looked at the gate.
"Here we go." Allura said and in turn they entered the gate. In turn the entire area around them was a blinding flash of white as they felt some minor turbulence upon entry.
(Inside the Quintessence Field)
The Sincline entered its journey a success as Lotor and Allura were met with the most amazing sight either of them had ever seen. A world of white with large sphere of Quintessence formed around them possibly other realities.
"Extraordinary." Allura gasped as she saw the world around her.
"Finally." Lotor said more to himself as he saw that all of his goals were within reach.
(Back at the Castle of Lions)
The group had been waiting inside the command deck for a few moments after Allura and Lotor entered the Quintessence Field. But all of a sudden alarms bladed and in turn the group saw it. "It's the Black Lion its back!" Coran called out and soon enough the lion hailed them. Kalvin appeared on the screen as he looked to the group.
"Kal your back!" Penny cried out happy to see Kalvin was here.
"Where have you been?" Hector asked and thus Kalvin gave them a sharp look.
"No time to explain where is, Lotor?" Kalvin asked with urgency in his voice.
"He's inside the Quintessence Field with Allura." Leon said and thus Kalvin was wide eyed to this.
"No, dammit no." Kalvin cursed and thus he had to act fast. "I'm coming in for a landing get yourselves armed Lotor is NOT our friend!" Kalvin called out and thus everyone was shocked by this.
"Let's move!" Leon called as the Paladins left the room while Shiala was alerting security personnel.
(Back in the Quintessence Field)
As Allura and Lotor fly around within the Quintessence field, getting a scan of it with Lotor speaking up saying, "Reading are beyond anything I could have imagined. what we do here today will change the course of the universe forever."
"In the hands of the wrong person, this power could easily corrupt," Allura said as she felt the Quintessence energy within her becoming stronger as she let it flow out from her hands before closing it, not wanting to be draw in by the temptation as Lotor said, "Together, we'll see it never does and continue the work your father started so long ago."
Allura could not help but smile to this still wanting to believe in Lotor as he soon said, "Now. Let's see if we can collect some samples, hopefully this may help save the Alteans."
With that Lotor started gathering mass amount of quintessence into his ship without the princess noticing it.
(the castle of lions)
The group had gathered all together in the hanger room with a security team standing by as the black lion soon lands with Kalvin exiting the black lion as Leon the first one to come up and said, "Hey, it seem you were right, Lotor is up to something as he try something on our end."
"Good, I have evident to help back this up. We need to capture Lotor right now," Kalvin said as Shiala soon ask, "What sort of evident do you have? The council will not take action unless valid."
"Oh, it's more than valid alright," Tela said as she came out from the black lion along with Kasumi and another surprise guest as everyone gasp at what they saw, or in this case who they saw as they saw the Altean girl who was looking very healthy than what Lotor had told them, while holding Kalvin's new pet as Coran said, "An Altean!"
"Who's the Asari?" Hector point to the Asari SPECTRE, then Leon spoken up next as he pointed out a familiar face, "Why is Kasumi here?"
"And this Altean, who is she, and also is that a space dog in her hands?" Penny pointed them out as Kalvin said, "There's a lot to catch up on, but I will tell you."
"Where did you come from?" Coran said while still looking at the Altean girl, still in disbelief to this, as Kalvin pointed Kasumi and said, "Now for Kasumi, she has been on the ship sense we left omega and been stealing some of the food."
"I knew it! See Leon, I've told you I haven't been eating all the instant ramen noodles," Hector said as Penny said while sounding, "Any my pudding cups as well?!"
"Sorry about that, as a girl got to eat, and a nice treat as well," Kasumi said as suddenly, the security team points their guns at her as she raise her ups up before Kalvin raise his hand to stand down said, "Weapons down, she help me break into Lotor secret facility, I owe her for that,
With that as the security team lower their guns with Kasumi sighed as she didn't have to fight her way out at least like last time."
(Back in the Quintessence Field)
Allura and Lotor were still flying in the realm of Quintessence as Lotor said, "I can feel the quintessence coursing through me."
"It's like my spirit, my whole being is more alive," Allura said as she felt more and more Quintessence flowing through her, as if she were gaining something from this experience as she smile and said, "I wish Kal could see this as well."
Lotor frown a bit to this as he keep hearing that name but keep to himself as he knew after today, he may not have to deal with him anymore as he give an evil grin to that thought.
(castle of lions)
"This is Tela Vasir a SPECTRE who came on the behalf of the citadel, who was helping investigate Lotor," Kalvin said as he points out to her as she said, "Nice to meet the rest of the paladins, still a surprise on how young you all are, but given of what I heard about all of you, and what I've seen from him, I may put your names forward for SPECTRE candidates."
"Well thanks, we are pretty badass when it comes down to it," Leon said as he smile a bit and his nose might have grown a bit too by his Ego, as then Kalvin look to the Altean girl and said, "And as for her, she is Romelle and I think she would rather tell the story herself as she is only evident that Lotor is lying but a key witness."
"I came from a planet where there are thousands of Alteans. We have been living there since the war with Zarkon began before the reapers appeared."
"What? That's impossible Altea was destroyed, and any remain was taken by the reapers. Allura and I as far we knew were the only survivors until Lotor came to us," Coran said as Romelle soon started to explain thing as she said, "Every Altean child knows the story of how Lotor saved us from destruction when Zarkon attacked, many were off-planet on trading expeditions."
(Flashback)
On a sentient alien world with some floating island connected to the main one by ropes, and bridges as Romelle continue with her story as she said, "When news spread about the destruction of our home, Those of us who remained went into hiding for Deca-phoebes."
The alien race of the unknown world were tall with blue skin while also wearing hoods over their heads, but one being who was a stranger to the world, wearing a dark cloak as he walk down the streets and enter a tavern as he was searching for something as Romelle told, 'But Lotor, with his deep knowledge of Altean Culture, managed to track some of them down.'
The person in the dark cloak came up to a table to a couple of Alteans, a man and woman, were using their Chameleon abilities to hide among the people but it seem they were discovered as they turn to the person at their table, he soon remove his hood reviling to be Lotor, as the Alteans stood up and about to run away Lotor held up his hand and said, "Hear me out! I know who you are. I come in peace."
The Alteans were a little hesitant, but they calm down a bit and sat down as Lotor soon explain to them of why he had come as he said, "I have come to save the noble Altean people, to preserve your customs and traditions before they are destroyed like Altea itself. Please come with me. I have created a haven where the Galra will never find you. It may not be Altea, but it will keep you safe."
The two Alteans looked at each other for a moment, as they wonder if they even trust Lotor at all, which he reassured the wayward Altean pair when he said, "If my intention were to kill you, then you would be dead already."
With that as the female was the first to undo her disguise, then the male follow through as well as they decided to go with him to his safe haven, as the scene change to show the many Alteans that Lotor have save and brought onto a ship which he transported them to his secret facility as Romelle went on telling the story, 'To keep the Alteans secure, Lotor hid them on a remote planet beyond the Quantum Abyss.'
Some time had passed as it seem Lotor was helping the Alteans build their new home by created road, built up houses for every Altean family, set up schools, library, and other such places as Coran soon said, 'So, Lotor saved Alteans?'
'Man, Lotor is even nicer than we thought,' Hector said as Kalvin spoken up saying, 'Better hold off any good thoughts you have of Lotor right now because there more to the story.'
'He correct, as over time, the Alteans came to worship Lotor as their savior,' Romelle said as the scene is shown the lake that stood in the middle of the Altean colony as it seem many years has come by as more buildings and structures were seen, including farms as Romelle went on saying, 'Generations ago, in an effort to increase our odds of survivals, Lotor announced that he was creating another Colony far from our own. But in order to do so, he needed to assess which Alteans were Viable candidates to survive the journey.'
IT seem the Alteans had built a statue of Lotor, as he was using it to make an announcement to all the Alteans of the new colony, as it wasn't before long the Alteans came before some Galra soldiers that were on Lotor side it seem, as everyone had line up for each Altean to be scanned as Romelle told, 'One by one, every Alteans in the colony was given a series of tests.'
Coming up next in line as a Altean woman with dark hair and skin came up next to be scanned which let out a positive beep, with the Galra troop step aside to let her on through as it show there were other Alteans already picked with Lotor standing by the ship to encourage the woman to join with them as Romelle said, 'Those who were deemed fit for the journey were loaded onto a cargo ship and take to the second colony. It was considered the highest honor."
Soon enough the ship's cargo doors were closing up before the ship left for the New colony with Romelle said, 'Any communication between colonies was strictly prohibited for fear that it would compromise the other's location. This was the world I was born into, but after some time lotor had not return for some times.'
(flashback pause)
"I'm guessing this could be around the time the reaper may have attacked and Lotor himself went into Cryo-sleep," Penny could guess as Hector said, "Wow, I can't believe your people waited fifty thousand years for Lotor to return."
"It wasn't fifty thousands, it was more like ten thousands, give or take a few Deca-phoebes," Romelle explain as the group was surprise by this as Leon said, "Wait, that doesn't make sense, you sure the Alteans counted right?"
"I'm sure, the Altean Calendar is never wrong," Romelle said as Penny said, "Maybe being in the Quantum Abyss may have warp time around the planet itself slowed things down by five times, give or take with error and stuff, while the rest of the universe keep to the same speed of time itself."
"Whoa that sound crazy," Leon said as Kalvin spoken up and said, "Guys focus, we're still not at the end yet. Go ahead Romelle."
"Thank you, anyways after many generations, Lotor had finally returned back to us," Romelle said as she saw Lotor for the first time in her life as he came back to the Altean Colony.
(resume flashback)
'He had told us what had been happening in the universe itself as he told us about the reapers as they have destroy the Galra, the Protheans, and most of all known life in the universe, as Lotor told that the reapers had destroy most of the other colony with some survivors remaining telling there was still some hope,' Romelle said as the image of Lotor had come to the Altean people and told what had happen which they were heartbroken to hear what happen as Romelle said, 'He told us that civilization had return but a new order had replace the old and how evil and corrupted they were, so he announce a call of arms to any Altean who wish to fight against this new threat while they were still early in building an Empire.'
At that moment, a redhead female Altean with thousands of other came up and join with Lotor's forces as Lotor look to them seeing a fire in the redhead's eyes showing the hate that was within her as he let her and the other join as well as he turn back to the Alteans and gave another announcement as Romelle said, 'After that Lotor called out to everyone who also wish to come to the other Colony to help rebuild declaring it was safe once again.'
At the statue of Lotor all Alteans who were chosen and taken away to the next colony, their names were carved into the stone as if they weren't going to see them again, and they would be right, with Romelle soon said, 'My brother Bandore was always faithful, but I had questions.'
Romelle stood with her brother as they were looking at the statue itself as well as they walk up to it with Romelle put her hands on some of the names, the ones she knew of as she said, "So many of our people gone to the new colony. Petrulius, Gnautu, Rahz, and of course, mother, and father. I miss them all so much."
"I'm sure we'll have a chance to see them again when we're chosen to travel to the new colony," Bandore said as Romelle turn to her brother and question him, "But why can't we talk to them now? Lotor must have a way to communicating with them. He travels there all the time. So why does he keep us in the dark?"
"You know why. Communication with the other colony would risk discovery by the Galra." Bandore said as he believe that like most other Alteans that Lotor told it too, but Romelle was different as she said, "So we're told."
Later on, as Lotor did another scanning of the Altean taking more people to say new Colony with Romelle scan came up negative, her brother came up positive as Romelle told the story once again, 'Eventually, Brandor grew old enough to be assessed for the journey to the other colony, and he was selected to leave immediately'
As Bandore was rushing to the ship to join with the others Romelle try to stop him as she said, "don't do this!"
"It is Lotor's will," Bandore said sounding like a loyal follower of Lotor with Romelle cry to this as she said, "I'll never see you again! Don't let him tear out family apart."
She hugs her little brother as he comfort her as he rub her head a bit while he said, "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be selected to come to the colony soon. in the meantime, I made you something."
Bandore sneakily put a device in Romelle's hands as he whisper to her, "It's a communicator."
"Will I be able to talk to you on the other Colony?" Romelle question as Bandore kneel down to his sister's level as he said to her, "I haven't had a chance to test it yet, but I hope so. Just remember, we suffer this isolation so the next generation may not have to."
Giving a sad smile to his sister before he stood up again and said, "Goodbye Romelle." And with that Brando let go of his sister's hand and went off to join the others on the ship and head off to the other colony as she watch as the ship flew off, as she waited for a respond from her brother, as she waited day and night but there was no call from Bandore as Romelle narrate the story again as she said, 'When Bandore left, I felt completely alone. I tried to use the communicator he had given me, but it never worked.'
And after a long while in the middle of the night, the communicator beeping and buzzing showing Bandore was calling as Romelle woke up happy to hear the communicator going off as she said, "Bandore!"
When she got to the device, it wasn't good news as it was Bandore calling out, he sounded weak as he said, "Romelle. You were right."
"Where are you?" Romelle asked him as Bandore answered as if he didn't have much time while he said, "The forest outside town. Hurry."
With that Romelle rush to where her brother could be at and soon arrived at a crash ship site where the sky above shows was not the real sky but a protection, the roof of the dome was reviled as when Romelle arrived at the site, she came upon an Altean pod ship with the area around it burning and inside the pilot seat was her brother as Romelle came to her brother and look upon his seeing as if the life was drain out of him as he was all skin and bones Romelle said to her brother, "Bandore!"
"Lotor... the other colony. It's all a lie... t-take this please, t-t-the others must know," Bandore said as he handed Romelle a recording device of sort before he took his last breath... and passed away as Romelle cry out tears as she said, "No."
"Over here!" a voice called out as Romelle gasp to this and quickly ran away as it was Lotor and some troops as they approach the crash ship, as they didn't see Romelle any as she got away just in time while she hid behind a tree as she heard Lotor said, "Clean up the wreckage. Leave no evidence this ever happened."
With that Romelle ran off before she could be discovered with Lotor looking in fear of this as last thing he needed was his plan being discovered as Romelle said, 'My brother was dead. I knew the truth, or at least a part of it, but I also knew that no one would believe me without proof and try to use the device my brother gave me, but I could not figure out how to use it. And then when Kalvin, Tela, and Kasumi arrived, they were my last chance at finding it'
Standing before Romelle where she first meet the group as they question her what this place was as she explain it was a colony where Altean can live in piece as she also told them what else had happen as she said, "I told them what had happened to my brother, and as it turned out, so many Alteans that had been taken before him."
'She told us everything that happen to Bandore and the device her brother gave it, as it turns out it was an Omni memory unit, but sense no one had an omni tool there, there was no way to access it by normal means,' Kalvin said as Leon soon ask, 'And what was on it?'
'I don't know, I looked at it, but it was just an image of the citadel with some encrypted files,' Kalvin said as in the flash back show him accessing the data as he looks at it but much of it was locked for him so he could not get any more data until he can give to an expert, and it didn't end there
'They explain their mission to me, we knew there must have been a connection between the missing Alteans, and the Alteans that they have told me that fell ill," Romelle said as she continued telling the story as Romelle lead the group back to her place and talk things over as Kalvin had gone over everything he knew and said, "Given your brother's weakened state, he couldn't have pilot his ship for very long, and given that the nearest location to this other colony... which isn't a colony at all as far as I know he may have come from there."
"Can you take me there?" Romelle question as she needed to know what had happen to the other Alteans as Kalvin said, "IT maybe a tight fit but I think we can manage within the black lion."
'After that we went to Lotor's facility on the moon and broke into it,' Kalvin said as he narrated a bit too showing how he, Tela, Kasumi, and Romelle, while she held the wolf cub as it show him relaxing in her arms, as they enter the black lion and took off to the facility on the moon and broke into it thanks to Kasumi hacking abilities while Kalvin and Tela took care of any guards that were around and soon arrived at the pod room as Kalvin soon ask Romelle, "Tell me, does any of these Altean look familiar?"
She was confused at first, but she came upon the pods as she wipe away the dust and saw one face that was familiar to her as she said, "No! Petrulius! What happening to them?"
"Did Lotor ever mention of an Altean getting sick or had a cryo-pod malfunction at all?" Kalvin question as Romelle shake her head no to him and said, "Never, and this is no sickness at all. This is what happen to my brother."
'After that I knew right away Lotor was lying to us, so I hacked into any system that could tell me what Lotor was up too, and pieces the clues together, as the Alteans that Me and Allura was shown my Lotor, the machine didn't accidently drain them of their Quintessence, in fact those pods weren't even cryo-pods at all, but harvesting chambers, Lotor was sucking the Quintessence out of them for his secret protect which was meant for his prototype gate,' Kalvin said as everyone could only gasp at this as Kalvin went on saying, 'So I downloaded everything I could, even some video files I found that I wish never had.'
Kalvin watch the recording and saw what Lotor was doing to the Atleans as they scream out in pain and saw some of them die as Lotor try to do a massive drain of Quintessence from some Altean before he decrease the amount to drain but it still wasn't pretty, including the one for Bandore.
(End flashback)
"After that, we came back here so we can arrest Lotor for his crimes, or kill him whichever comes first," Kalvin said as he was so pissed off at, he would kill lotor for what he has done as Leon put a hand on Kalvin shoulder and said, "Can't get justice from a dead guy Kal, as I'm sure Allura would want some justice of her own as well."
"Right… and no doubt she going to be heartbroken too," Kalvin said as Coran said, "So the cure to save the Alteans… was that a lie?"
"Well… I came with some good news at least, as it seem Lotor wasn't lying about pumping back Quintessence into an Altean to see what would happen, it brought him to a stable condition… before Lotor put him back into the harvesting pods," Kalvin said as now everyone is pissed off.
"But all this time... we were helping him." Penny said realized they've been duped.
"And he's been lying to us." Leon said realizing they had helped Lotor progress his plans.
"He's a monster." Kalvin said and thus he took out the encrypted files. "We need to work fast, Penny can you work with Kasumi to decrypt these files?" Kalvin asked and thus Penny looked over the files once they were sent over.
"They seem to follow the same encryption programming that Zarkon's message operated under." Penny said as Romelle was surprised to hear Zarkon's name. "The program Tali and I made for it should work and since it decrypted a similar file it shouldn't take as long." Penny said as Kasumi then stepped in.
"I can help, breaking into vaults and files is my specialty." Kasumi said before the master thief went with Penny to decrypt the files.
"Let's move I want the Hanger locked down the minute Lotor flies in. When Allura is clear take him down." Kalvin said and thus they all got moving.
Just then an alarm sounded and thus the group looked and saw on the scanners that Lotor's ship was coming in. "Oh, come on." Kalvin cursed when he saw this.
"What are you waiting for shoot him down!" Romelle snapped as she wanted to see Lotor dead.
"We can't not with Allura with him." Kalvin said as he looked to the screen.
"So, we're just going to let him back into the ship?" Hector asked with concern over letting Lotor back on board knowing what they know now.
"We don't have a choice, once Allura is secured we take this bastard down." Kalvin said and thus Penny nodded to this.
"I'll set the program to auto, Kasumi try to expedite it." Penny said and thus Kasumi saluted.
"Yes ma'am." Kasumi said and thus all but flew to a console and got to work.
"Alright get to the hanger we can't let him escape!" Kalvin called out and thus they all ran to the hanger.
(Later in the Hanger)
Lotor had exited the Sincline flyer as he offered his hand for Allura to take. Allura tripped up a bit but was caught by Lotor as the platform they were on lowered them towards the ground. "We have accomplished something amazing today and it would have never happened had it not been for you." Lotor said as he looked upon Allura gently.
"It is truly a moment I will never forget." Lotor said as they reached the bottom. But when it looked like something was about to happen Lotor was torn out of the spot he was in and slammed into the Sincline.
"Go! Go! Go!" Kalvin was heard and thus Allura was shocked when practically the ships entire security team moved in with guns on Lotor.
"Kalvin?!" Allura asked as Kalvin ran over to Allura.
"Allura are you ok?" Kalvin asked as Allura was shocked by this as Leon covered him.
"Yes, but what is happening?" Allura asked as Lotor was pinned to the wall via Biotics.
"Lotor is a monster." Romelle was heard as Allura looked and was wide eyed at what she saw. "And he has been harvesting Altean Quintessence for generations." Romelle said before Tela cut in.
"An Altean?!" Allura asked shocked at what she saw before looking to where Lotor was.
"We got proof in case you need to see it." Tela added and thus Allura was wide eyed at this.
"You killed my brother and thousands of others." Romelle said with hatred for the man before her.
"There was never any sickness to begin with. There pods weren't even draining the Alteans of their Quintessence by accident they were done intentionally." Penny added as she glared at Lotor with a shotgun in hand. "Lotor has been lying to us the whole time he's a murderer just like his father and the Reapers." Penny said glaring at Lotor ready for anything he might do.
"You don't know nothing about what you speak." Lotor said as he twisted his wrist to bring something out but did so subtly. At the same time, he used his other hand to gently press down on a button hidden on his person that gently began to flash red.
"What are they talking about." Allura asked as it felt like her entire world was crashing down around her.
"Allura listen to me I dedicated my life to preserving Altean culture." Lotor said trying to get Allura to see his view of things. "Now that we've access the Altean field all of your people who would have been hunted down long ago had it not been for my intervention can live in peace." Lotor said justifying his actions. "Some lives were lost in the process yes, but they were martyrs for a noble cause." Lotor said projecting the lives he took as noble sacrifices. "I sacrificed the few to preserve the future for millions to give the Galaxy a chance to defeat the Reapers." Lotor said trying to get Allura to listen to him. "Allura do not let this ruin everything we've worked for think of what we experienced in the Quintessence Field." Lotor said but instead Allura was focused on Romelle.
Growling to this Allura walked over to Lotor and with her pistol she pistol whipped him before pointing her gun at him. Tela was forced to undue the Biotic but smirked as she saw Lotor with a gun to his head. "You crossed a line!" Allura yelled as she pointed the gun at Lotor's head. "And while I certainly want to kill you know you need to answer for what you've done!" Allura went on before Allura looked to Tela. "Will the Council be able to put Lotor on trial?" Allura asked as she looked to Tela.
"Hard to tell this has a chance to become a political shitstorm." Tela said as Lotor glared at the group.
"The Council won't matter." Lotor said as he waited for his backup.
"To hell it won't matter this has to be breaking several laws." Hector snapped but then the entire ship shook followed by the other two Sinclines flying in.
"We've been breached!" Coran called out as Kalvin acted.
"Everyone get to cover now!" Kalvin yelled as the Sinclines opened fire.
Tela saw Lotor moving to the final one and glared. "No, you don't!" Tela yelled but then Lotor threw over a device towards Tela and Penny as it went off. The pair cried out as they felt this painful ringing in their heads.
"Biotic stunners useful for those pesky Biotics." Lotor taunted as he moved to his Sincline. Ezor and Zethrid were inside Sincline-3 with Ezor smiling as she fired upon the group who hid behind anything that can tank those shots. Acxa and Narti were in Sincline-2 with Acxa piloting and Narti sitting in the seat behind her with Kova on her lap. Lotor made it to the Sincline-1 and got into the vessel and activated its engines to make his escape.
As the Sincline's flew off Kalvin growled when he saw this. "Everyone get to your Lions we can't let Lotor get away!" Kalvin called out and thus they all got moving.
(Meanwhile with Lotor)
"I'm guessing things went wrong." Ezor said as they flew in formation.
"Regrettably." Lotor said with a scowl on his face. "I should have dealt with the Paladin before it got this far." Lotor said scolding himself for his carelessness.
"We got what we needed, so what's our next move?" Acxa asked and Lotor sighed clearly not liking how this all turned out. But Lotor knew that no plan survives first contact with the enemy leaving one forced to improvise.
"If the witch had done her part, then we prepare to." Lotor began but was cut off when all of a sudden, his ship was hit by a beam. Thankfully, it managed to handle the shot and looking to the source the group saw the Voltron Lions coming towards them.
"Wow these Paladins are fast on the uptake." Ezor asked surprised by this.
"Forget that I've been itching for a good fight and now it's here!" Zethrid said with a savage grin on her face.
"It would appear that we have ourselves a dogfight." Lotor mused knowing that the Paladins would not let them escape. Furthermore, this would give him ample time to test the Sincline's in live combat.
At the same time the Voltron Lions flew directly towards their enemies intent to eliminate them. "Alright listen up I'll get Lotor Allura, Leon you get one ship Penny Hector you two get the other." Kalvin ordered and thus the group understood.
"RIGHT!" Allura, Penny, Leon, and Hector all responded as they went on the attack.
The Sinclines changed their trajectory and went after the Voltron Lions and soon enough the two sides clashed. A dogfight had begun as both sides were flying about laser fire was going off with both sides trying to get the upper hand over each other. Flying about the Black Lion was focusing on the Sincline-1 with Allura and Leon taking on Narti and Acxa in Sincline-2 and Hector and Penny facing Ezor and Zethrid in Sincline-3.
Allura fired off her frost beam at the Sincline-2 which Acxa easily avoided. Leon followed up with an attack from his Lion via the heat ray, but the Sincline spun around it. The Sincline then zoomed past them and when it did Acxa performed a U-turn and fired off a powerful beam that hit the red lion.
"Lion!" Allura cried out only for her lion to be bombarded by several energy rockets. The rockets hit her lion dead on sending her flying back from it.
Meanwhile Ezor was laughing as she flew around with the green lion on her tail. "Ok this thing is fast!" Penny cried out as she chased after Ezor and Zethrid in the Sincline-3. "They're all fast!" Leon was heard as Penny kept chasing the Sincline. "Come on... come on!" Penny said trying to get a shot in, but the Sincline-3 kept avoiding it.
"This is too easy!" Ezor said with a smile and then Zethrid saw something.
"Look out!" Zethrid called and thus flying at them was the yellow lion.
"Please." Ezor rolled her eyes and sped up before weaving past the yellow who tried to hit her. This caused Hector to cry out when he crashed into Penny causing the two to hit a few rocks.
"We can't keep these jumping slippery bastards in place!" Penny yelled really wishing Voltron could use biotics.
"I know and we got more lions then they have ships." Hector said as Lotor had not been idle.
"Hello!" Ezor was heard and thus the two saw Ezor fire off a large beam at them. The beam hit and they were sent flying back from it with a cry of pain.
Meanwhile Kalvin in his lion and Lotor in his Sincline were at it in single combat. By the looks of it Kalvin was having a better time than the others in combat. Lotor had to admit that Kalvin was a formidable pilot keeping him on his toes. They went at it as Kalvin seemed hyper focused on taking down Lotor. Lotor growled and fired a beam at the Black Lion who dodged and fired his own beam. Lotor dodged it as well as they soon turned towards each other and flew straight at each other.
The two did not turn as they fired off lasers at the other and in doing so had to dodge to avoid the lasers and avoid crashing into each other. They passed by as they glared at each other from the visions of their own machines before going back to it. Kalvin was running across space debris with his Lion as Lotor fired off lasers at the Lion who dodged and avoided the attacks before stopping, turning, and firing off a laser at the Sincline-1. Lotor avoided it and proceeded to let loose a barrage of rockets at Kalvin and the Black Lion who flew past the rockets but saw them follow after him.
Kalvin was forced to run as they locked onto his lion and followed him about. "Dammit!" Kalvin cursed as he kept flying and when he flew through the debris field, he saw a few of the rockets explode giving him an idea. Kalvin increased his speed to try and stay ahead of the rockets when he saw the Sincline flier.
Lotor took notice to Kalvin come straight for him and then went wide eyed when Kalvin flew around him. Lotor was shocked when Kalvin's plan was made clear. Lotor was hit by his own rockets as his Sincline was sent tumbling back but more or less was left undamaged. As Lotor regained himself he saw the Black Lion glaring at him as he glared back at the Paladin in question.
"I've truly underestimated this, Paladin." Lotor said as he was itching to eliminate Kalvin with his own hands. "Regroup it seems we may need to consider a hasty retreat." Lotor said to his generals who understood the order.
What followed was the Sincline fliers regrouping with each other as the Lions did the same both sides glaring at each other. "They're too powerful for us!" Penny called out after being on the receiving end of the Sincline's attack.
"We need to up the ante." Kalvin said as he gripped his controls tightly. "Form Voltron!" Kalvin ordered and thus it was time to form the Legendary Defender.
(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 to boldly go where no one has gone before.
(End formation)
Barely moments after forming Voltron the Sinclines attacked as the Defender was holding off these foes as best, he could. AS Voltron flew about the Sinclines were using their attacks to force Voltron to a spot he could not slip from. Soon enough when Voltron was near a rock the three ships acted.
"Focus you attack." Lotor ordered and in turn the three Sinclines fired a powerful laser that met at a point before merging and firing off as a much larger laser. Voltron acted fast and put his shield up and in doing so protected himself. But it was not going to hold as the blast was strong enough to forced Voltron into an asteroid and pinned him down there a literal rock in a hard place.
(Castle of Lions)
The crew as in full battle stations as they were preparing to counter the Sinclines. "I'm heading your way!" Coran called out but Kalvin cut him off.
"No!" Kalvin ordered and got to the why. "If these things are as strong as the Lions, then you won't be able to do much to them." Kalvin said making it clear that only Voltron can stand a chance.
(Back to the battle)
"Kalvin is right, Coran the ships defenses will never hold." Allura said making it clear that they could not risk such a thing.
"Well, we can't take this kind of damage for much longer!" Penny cried out as she tried to hold the shield up.
"Anyone got any ideas?" Leon asked as he knew they needed to move fast.
"I got one." Kalvin said and thus went back to talking to Coran. "Coran use the Castles weapons and target just below Voltron's position." Kalvin said making his idea clear.
"What?!" Coran asked shocked at what he heard.
"Destroy the rock we're pinned against, NOW!" Kalvin ordered and in turn Coran saw what Kalvin was thinking. So, in turn the Castle fired off its weapons upon the rock destroying it causing Voltron to be pushed back further. With more room Voltron managed to get out of the beams line of fire. Once freed Voltron flew through the area but needed more cover. "Leon, Penny we need more cover." Kalvin ordered which the pair were ready.
"Right/On it!" Leon and Penny both called out and in turn Voltron fired beams at either side whole flying through creating several explosions forcing the Sinclines to dodge and weave through. Voltron flew ahead as the Paladins were prepping for their next move but instead Voltron found himself tethered by the Sinclines via energy tethers. The Sinclines dragged Voltron towards a large rock before flinging him into it.
They did not end it there as Voltron began to get back up only to be hit by that concentrated shot once more. This sent both Voltron and the rock he crashed into further back causing the Paladins pain. The Paladins were disoriented from the shock as they began to get back up.
"What just happened?" Penny asked as her head was ringing. But then their pain or in Allura's case rage turned into shock and confusion when they saw something appear, a wormhole.
"A wormhole!?" Leon asked as he was shocked by this.
"We need to move we can't let Lotor escape!" Kalvin called out and thus Voltron got ready to give chase.
"Haggar, it has to be Haggar." Allura said as she was the only other Altean who could use their ways. "She must have gained the ability but how?" Allura asked knowing the only place that could have given Haggar that power was... dear God no.
Voltron rose to his feet and with his boosters activated he zoomed towards the wormhole that the Sinclines were flying towards. Maxing out their thrust the Defender flew towards the wormhole but even at his top speed they would not make it.
"Come on, come on!" Kalvin growled as they flew towards the Wormhole. The Sinclines flew towards the wormhole as Voltron looked like they were about to make it. But it would not be as the minute the last one made it through the Wormhole closed as all Voltron got was the energy left behind which was useless. Voltron hovered in open space for a bit as Kalvin glared at where the wormhole had been.
"HE got away." Leon said realizing they screwed the pooch here.
"What now?" Hector asked and thus Kalvin took a deep calming breath and gave the next order.
"Back to the ship... we need to figure out what that was." Kalvin said and thus with the order given Voltron disengaged and in turn the Lions returned to their hangers.
(Later Castle of Lions Command Deck)
Everyone was gathered in the Castle of Lions Command Deck as Penny had her hub screen up checking on the Lions. "What's the damage?" Kalvin asked as he looked to Penny.
"Ok the lions are in their hangers and their cores appear to be recharging." Penny said from her console with Hector nearby to where she was.
"Structurally speaking the Lions are operating at 60%. Whatever those ships hit them with really did some damage." Hector said as Tela saw what happened.
"That slimy bastard caught us all with our pants down." Tela said crossing her arms while leaning against a consol.
"At least we stopped his virus from activating." Penny said as she had to use several algorithms to quarantine the virus. She had to admit the virus was complex she had to design new routines on the spot to keep it from activating.
"So now what?" Leon asked making it clear they needed a way to stop Lotor.
Just then Penny saw an alert and knew what it was. "The decryption is done!" Penny said and in turn she and Kasumi got to work. "Putting it on display now." Penny said and in turn the data appeared on screen. They saw the Citadel and plans for some sort of modification.
"Now we can see what Lotor is planning." Coran said as Allura saw the data and then went wide eyed in horror.
"Oh no." Allura gasped once she saw the data. "He wouldn't." Allura said and thus she looked to the crew. "These attack plans he's going to attack the Citadel!" Allura called out but it got worse.
"More than that, he's going to weaponize it." Penny said as she showed the data. "He's planning to use it as a Quintessence Gate and then open a rift directly into Dark Space destroying the Reapers in one fell swoop." Penny said as Leon heard this.
"So that solves the Reaper problem." Leon said but Allura turned her head.
"No, that amount of Quintessence going through the Mass Relay network would overload the entire network we're talking billions of trillions dead from Mass Relay's overloading and exploding destroying everything within lightyears of the blast range." Penny said as she did not want to think the level of damage from the Citadels own destruction.
"He's insane." Tela said as she looked just as horrified.
"But he can't invade with just his three ships... right?" Leon asked but Kalvin saw it.
"No, he has soldiers... the Alteans." Kalvin said and thus it was clear what Lotor planned to do. "We need to get to the citadel and warn the council." Kalvin said and thus Allura nodded.
"I'll alert the crew." Shiala said and thus she began to input the commands to let the crew know what was going on.
"Princess please." Romelle said taking Allura's hand. "You can't consider." Romelle said and thus Allura put a comforting hand on Romelle's shoulder.
"I don't plan on it, but we need help." Allura said and thus it was clear what was to happen.
"Right but first." Kalvin said looking towards the Quintessence Gate. IT was a thought everyone had agreed upon to deny Lotor any assets like this.
(Later outside)
Using their big guns, the Castle of Lions sent a powerful blast into the Quintessence Gate. In doing so the entire thing exploded leaving only broken metals and machinery behind. With this task done the Quintessence Gate was gone so when they beat Lotor at the Citadel and he somehow escapes he can't come back here to use the gate. So, with their task done the Castle of Lions opened a wormhole and left to try and warn the Citadel Council of Lotor's impending attack.
(Scene Break Lotor's Command Ship)
The Sinclines arrived at a new location and headed to Lotor's command ship. But the command ship was not alone. There were several other ships Galra retrofitted for Altean use. Heading to the ship the Sincline landed as they went to meet with their rescuer. Entering the command deck Lotor was met with the sight of Haggar as the Teleduv deactivated around her.
"I see that you've retrieved what you needed, Witch." Lotor said glaring at Haggar.
"As have you." Haggar said as she did not return the glare. In fact, her glare softened upon Lotor. "With the Citadel we will be able to destroy the Reapers at the source." Haggar said as she then looked to a holographic image of the Citadel and the fleet protecting it.
"And from our victory we shall achieve peace and security for the Galaxy." Lotor said as he glared at the screen. "I assume our troops are ready for battle?" Lotor asked looking towards Haggar.
"Yes, they only wait for your command, Lotor." Haggar said which Lotor smirked to this.
"I see... then mobilize our fleet we need to move before the Paladins have the chance to prepare their defenses." Lotor said and thus it was clear what was to occur. The Second Battle of the Citadel was now upon them, and this time Voltron has truly met his match.
(TBC)
ESKK: A new chapter is published I hope that you enjoyed it. Now then as always leave a review before leaving as we say, ja-ne.