Chapter Text
The Paladin's, the Lion's, and the two Alteans are all gather in the Main Bridge as they were discussing the situation on how Zarkon is tracking them.
"There's no point in debating this further. Zarkon is clearly tracking us through me." Said Allura feeling convinced about it.
"Are you sure about that, Allura?" Asked Lana feeling skeptical about it.
"That's not possible." Said Pidge agreeing with Lana.
'Pidge and Lana have a point, there's no way that Zarkon can track us by Allura.' Said Green looking at the other Lion's.
'Yeah, I mean why would Allura think that Zarkon is tracking us because of her?' Asked Blue in confusion.
"Why would that be so hard to believe? Zarkon's forces showed up on Arus only after I awoke." Said Allura explaining to the others.
"Well, she's got a point. I would absolutely travel across the galaxy to find you." Said Lana smiling at Allura.
"It's not you, Princess Allura. It's me." Said Keith causing everyone to look at him.
"Because?" Asked Hunk in confusion.
"Yeah Keith, why would you think that Zarkon is tracking us because of you?" Asked Lana in confusion.
"I just think Zarkon must've imprinted on me during our fight or something." Said Keith explaining his own detail.
'Well, I don't know about that Keith.' Said Red disagreeing with his Paladin. 'We did fight Zarkon, but there's no way he track us through you.'
"Look, the fact is, we don't know how Zarkon is tracking us. It could be through the Black Lion. Every time Zarkon gets close to it, Shiro has to fight him for control." Said Pidge suggesting her thought.
"That's only when Zarkon is nearby. No Paladin has ever been able to connect with a lion over a vast distance." Said Coran pointing out his view.
"So what are we going to do?" Said Hunk sounding worry for their situation.
"Look, it doesn't matter how he's tracking us because we're gonna take the fight to the Galra soon enough." Said Shiro looking at his team with determination. "They've been chasing us from galaxy to galaxy. The last thing they expect is for us to come after them."
"The hunter becomes the hunted, hmm? Awesome! That's the tag line from like six of my favorite movies." Said Lana smirking at the thought.
'You're always the adventurous one.' Said Blue smiling at her Paladin and Lana pets her head gently.
"As it happens, I took our list of recent Galra attacks and analyzed it for both commonalities and anomalies among the attack sites." Said Pidge as she's at her station. "I was hoping to create an algorithm that would, within a statistically acceptable margin of error, provide a list of target-rich Galra environments color-coded, of course, because what are we, animals?"
Then Pidge pulled up the map of the nearby star systems popped up, with red points lined up along it.
"Cool! What is it again?" Asked Lana looking confused.
"It's a Galra finder?" Said Hunk in confusion as well.
"Well, "finder" suggests that it locates the Galra, whereas it would be more accurate to say that my model predicts they're likeliest. . ." Said Pidge as she was about to continue.
'Pidge, can you just get to the point, you're losing your audience.' Said Green rolling her eyes and saw that the others are confused.
"Fine. It's a Galra finder." Said Pidge frowning a bit.
"So, where are the Galra?" Asked Lana looking at the map.
"The nearest ones are right here. A planet called Taujeer." Said Pidge pointing where a red dot is showing signs of a planet.
"Then that's where we're headed. Everyone should get some sleep. Tomorrow, we'll find that Galra fleet and take it out." Said Shiro informing the others.
So the Paladins, the Lion's, and the two Altean's have all leave the Main Bridge to get some rest, however Keith was the only one in the Main Bridge with Red by his side. Shiro seem to notice that and goes to Keith.
"Is everything okay?" Asked Shiro looking at Keith.
"Yeah. Why?" Asked Keith as his arms were crossed.
"You just seem a bit anxious." Said Shiro worrying for Keith.
"I'm fine. Just tired. Like you said, I should get some sleep." Said Keith as he leaves the Main Bridge with Red by his side.
'Shiro, I can't help but feel like Zarkon is tracking through me.' Said Black feeling worried for the situation. 'He was my original Paladin and he must've find a way to keep our bond for some reason.'
"Well, we're not sure about that Black, let's get some rest, will be fine tomorrow." Said Shiro as he and Black leave the Main Bridge.
~~~~~~
Later that night, Keith sat on his bed as he was staring at the glowing symbol on his knife. As he look at his reflection on his blade, he suddenly jolted when he heard the alarms blaring.
So Keith sprang to his feet out of his bed and ran out the door, as he finds himself in his Paladin armor. Then he sat in his speeder as it raced towards the Red Lion, while his heart is racing. However as he rode up, the lights around him began to change from red to purple, in a familiar violet light.
As Keith came out of the tunnel to see Red in its bay, his eyes were glowing purple instead of his usual gold. The Red Lion's eyes flashed and Red stood, locking his eyes with Keith.
"What's the matter, Red? It's me." Said Keith as he goes close to Red.
Suddenly the Red Lion roar loudly as he began to pounce on Keith. Keith threw his hands up in defense, but somehow nothing happened. Suddenly Keith heard rhythmic marching and he opened his eyes to find himself surrounded by hundreds of Galra sentries.
Suddenly his heart hammered in his chest and he looked down to see himself wearing Galra armor. His knife was in his hand, and Zarkon's face looked up at him.
"I can find you anywhere." Said Zarkon's voice in his mind.
Keith began to panic as he looked around for an escape, however the moment he look back down at his blade, he now saw that it's covered in blood now. His heart was pounding so hard as soon as he saw a bloody body in front of him.
Keith ran up to the fallen body, as he kneel down and picks up the injured person in his arms, and turn him gently to see who it was. Keith's eyes widen in horror to see that person was known other than Lana. Lana was breathing heavily as a small amount of blood was running down her mouth, and there was big stabbed wound on her chest, where Keith's blade stabbed her, and it was bleeding badly.
"Lana. . ." Said Keith in horror.
"Keith. . ." Said Lana lifting her hand and lay it on Keith's cheek.
Suddenly Lana's eyes closed as her hand fell on the floor and she seem to stop breathing, Keith stared at Lana in horror as he shake Lana to wake her up. He didn't notice a Galra Sentry was behind him, he saw the shadows above him and turn to only see the Galra Sentry strike him with its sword.
~~~~~~
Keith woke with a jolt and a slight yell, as he was sitting upright quickly. Then Keith saw that he was still in his dark bedroom, he sighed and tried to catch his breath. Then Keith grabbed his knife and look at his reflection on it, seeing that it wasn't covered in blood.
Remembering what he saw in his dream, Keith got up from his bed and he left his bedroom, he ran quietly down the hallway, making sure he doesn't wake anyone up, as he stopped at a door, he opened it quietly and enters the room, to see Lana sleeping peacefully in her bed.
As Keith got closer to Lana, he sight in relief that Lana is okay and not stabbed by his knife. Keith trace his hand gently at Lana's hair as he saw how Lana sleep's peacefully. After realizing about the nightmare, Keith had to figure out if Zarkon is tracking them through him, so he decided that tonight he's going to sneak out and use a pod to separate him from team to find out.
~~~~~~
In the middle of the night, Keith was in his Paladin armor, with a bag slung over his shoulder filled with his clothes and a few belongings he had. He'd made his way to the podbay and was heading to the closest one when he heard the podbay door open.
Keith quickly ducked behind one of the pods, hiding in the shadows. To his surprise, he saw Allura in her space suit sneaking in. He watched her start to get into the nearest pod before he came out of hiding.
"Princess, what are you doing here?" Asked Keith appearing behind Allura.
Allura yelped in surprise as she lost her footing, and starts tumbling backwards. Keith was quick to catch her bridal-style, then Allura jump off of Keith's arms, and backed away from him with hands behind her.
"Oh. I might ask you the same thing." Said Allura looking at Keith.
"Nothing. Just walking. Late at night. Near the pods." Said Keith lying to Allura.
"In full Paladin armor, with a bag of your belongings?" Asked Allura glancing at Keith's bag and he sighted in defeat.
"I have to know if Zarkon is tracking me. This is the only way. Don't try to stop me." Said Keith looking at Allura.
"I'm not going to stop you. I'm going to join you." Said Allura with determination.
~~~~~~
The next morning, the four paladins and the Lion's all enter the Main Bridge, while Coran waited for them on the ships helm, upon noticing their arrival he turned over to them and tapped a few things on the screen before him.
"We should be entering Taujeer's orbit soon." Said Coran informing the Paladins.
"Raise the particle barrier. Scan for Galra." Said Shiro as Coran did as he's told and Shiro looked around the gathered faces before frowning. "Where are Keith and Allura?"
'Red, what happened to your Paladin?' Asked Blue looking at Red.
'I don't know, I thought he might be here at the Main Bridge.' Said Red looking at the others.
"It appears that one of the pods launched in the middle of the night." Said Coran informing the others.
"Wait a minute, Keith and Allura? In the middle of the night? You don't think they're sittin' in a tree?" Asked Lana feeling jealous that Keith is with Allura.
"Contact the pod." Said Shiro instructing Coran.
"Yes! Contact that pod!" Said Lana agreeing with Shiro.
'Uh Blue, what's with your Paladin?' Asked Red in confusion.
'I'm guessing she's feeling jealous.' Said Blue with a small smile.
'That Allura's is with Keith?' Asked Red looking at Blue.
'No, more like the other way around.' Said Blue as Coran contacted the pod.
"Princess, Keith, where are you?" Asked Shiro through the castle's com links to the pod.
"Exactly where we should be, far away from the Castle." Said Allura through the pods com links.
"What? Why?" Asked Shiro in shock.
"We must know if we are the ones Zarkon is tracking." Said Allura replying to Shiro.
"They're isolating the variable. Well, isolating two variables." Said Pidge understanding what Allura and Keith are doing.
"Pidge is right. If Zarkon finds you despite my absence, we will know with total certainty that we are not the ones he is tracking." Said Allura through the com links.
"Splitting up the group makes us far more vulnerable. Come back to the Castle immediately." Said Shiro instructing Allura and Keith.
"I'm sorry, Shiro, I cannot do that." Said Allura sounding sad.
"If Zarkon does find us, I can pilot us to safety. We're in wide-open space with plenty of room to maneuver. Plus, we'd be able to outrun him. Pidge added that booster rocket." Said Keith through the com links.
"That thing's still on there?" Asked Coran in shock.
"We need both of you back here now!" Said Shiro instructing Allura and Keith.
All of a sudden, something slammed into the castle and everyone screamed as the castle alarms started ringing. Shiro took hold of his chair to steady himself and looked to Coran.
"What's goin' on?" Asked Shiro looking at the Altean Advisor.
"We're in some sort of debris field." Said Hunk looking at the screen.
"I believe it's coming from Taujeer." Said Coran looking at the screen. "Correction: I think it is Taujeer!"
"Coran, what's going on. . ." Said Allura through the com links till she got cut off.
"Some kind of radiation from the planet is interfering with communications!" Said Coran turning to the others.
"Move the Castle away from the planet and reestablish the link. Everyone else, get to your lions." Said Shiro informing the other Paladins.
'Red, stay here in the castle, in any case your Paladin returns.' Said Black looking at the Red Lion.
'Sure, Black.' Said Red as the four Lion's leave the Main Bridge with their Paladins.
~~~~~~
As all four lions began to descend on the planet, a large, slug-like alien with no face and a large hole in the centre of their heads, with six limbs and a long, flat tail started heading in their direction. It had four arms; a pale greenish-skinned body, and four of the Voltron Lions touched down on one of the few remaining stable surfaces of the planet.
"I don't see any Galra." Said Hunk looking around the planet.
"Looks like that fancy Galra finder doesn't work. Nice try, Pidge." Said Lana giving Pidge a smug look and Pidge growled but didn't say anything.
"Thank goodness you're here! I am Baujal, the leader of the Taujeerians. The Galra just destroyed our ship's engines and left." Said Baujal in a robotic voice.
"So the Galra were here. Lana." Said Pidge giving Lana a smug look back and Lana grumbled.
"They've taken everything. We must get everyone off the planet before it dissolves completely! Please, help us!" Said Baujal pleading to Shiro.
"How long do we have?" Asked Shiro and suddenly the planet let out a rumble and a few pieces broke off before they started floating upward.
"Not long." Said Hunk anxiously.
"How did this happen?" Asked Shiro to the leader.
"We've known for years that our planet would eventually lose its outer layer." Said Baujal explaining to the Paladins.
"Like a snake shedding its skin?" Asked Lana understanding what Baujal is saying.
"Yeah, yeah, that doesn't sound so bad. Beneath that old skin is a new, healthy layer, right?" Asked Hunk and suddenly the planet rumbled again, only this time the liquid from underneath roses up.
"Nope. No, I. . . I think the next layer is acid." Said Pidge to Hunk.
"The plan was to evacuate the population to our nearest moon, where we have built a colony to wait out the shedding process. So we relocated to higher ground and constructed that ark." Said Baujal gesturing to the insect like ship behind it with one of its arms.
"What happened?" Asked Lana to the Taujeer leader.
"The Galra attacked, led by a vile commander named Morvok. He robbed us of vital resources and left us with only one operational engine, stranding us here." Said Baujal explaining further.
"You're not stranded anymore. We will save your people." Said Shiro to the leader.
"I believe you, for I have heard many legends of the valor of Voltron. Five brave Paladins dedicated to this. . ." Said Baujal till he saw something isn't right. "Wait, wait. I count only four of you. Are you not Voltron?"
"Uh almost?" Said Lana uneasily from inside the blue lion.
"Where is the fifth Paladin?" Asked Baujal looking at Shiro.
"He's not here, but we can still help you." Said Shiro still trying to stay positive.
"I would feel more comfortable with all five Paladins." Said Baujal turning his face to the ground and his robotic voice sounded almost sad.
"Duly noted." Said Shiro as he turn to the others. "Pidge, Hunk, take a look at the ark and see what we're dealing with."
"Piece of cake. We'll get it flying in no time." Said Hunk happily.
Suddenly there was another loud rumble before a piece holding the Taujeerians ship in place broke off and two of the legs from the ship broke off from the ship making it tilt to the side.
"Would you settle for upright?" Asked Hunk nervously.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile at the pod where Allura and Keith are, they were out in space for hours, and so far, Zarkon didn't seem to show up.
"We've been here for hours. Still no sign of Zarkon." Said Keith looking at the scanner.
"Well, I'm glad I don't have to wait here alone." Said Allura crossing her arms and sighed. "You understand, I could never live with myself if Zarkon was finding us because of me. I must know. We face such a dire threat from the Galra."
"Well, sure, they're bad. No doubt about that. But at the same time, couldn't at least a few of them be fighting for good? Just look at Ulaz. He sacrificed himself to save us." Said Keith reminding Allura about Ulaz.
"For all we know, his sacrifice was a ploy. One life means nothing to Zarkon." Said Allura frowning in anger.
"It means something to me. It means some of them are actually willing to help. And we could use all the help we can get!" Said Keith reasoning with Allura.
"Any offer of help from the Galra is merely a prelude to a trap. I know all too well how quickly they turn." Said Allura frowning while her arms are crossed.
"It just seems crazy to lump everyone together." Said Keith pointing out his view.
"Listen, if there are any good Galra, they have had 10,000 years to take down Zarkon. I would never count on them for help." Said Allura frowning a bit.
"Well, maybe you should be a lot more understanding like Lana. At least she understands me better than anyone else!" Shouted Keith in anger, causing Allura's eyes widen as Keith calms down. "I'm sorry, Allura. It's not that I think you're crazy, I just think everytime you see the worst in things, you keep missing the best parts about them. At least that's what my dad always said"
"You have a family?" Asked Allura looking shock.
"I did until my dad got killed in a fire when I was eight.” Said Keith looking upset. “I've been alone ever since."
"What about your mother?" Asked Allura looking curious.
"Actually, I was just a baby when she left. I have no memory of her whatsoever. I never knew her." Said Keith looking upset.
"I'm sorry Ketih, I can understand what you went through. I lost my mother, too, but she was killed by Zarkon." Said Allura looking upset. "But is there another reason why you left? Does it have something to do with Lana?"
"Well, yes, actually. I'm only doing this to protect her. Not just the team." Said Keoth as he confesses.
"Why her, specifically? Everyone's noticed you seem to care more about her than the others." Said Allura looking curious.
"That's true, I only push people away before they reject me, but not Lana. I couldn't do that to her. I just want to keep her safe. If Zarkon is tracking through me, then I would rather be several galaxies away to keep her safe, than by her side and keep her in danger." Said Keith looking concerned.
"You really care about her that much to do this?" Asked Allura smiling at Keith.
"I almost lost her four times, and when I actually lost her only once, I refused to lose her again. For Lana, I would do anything to keep her safe, even risk my own life if that's what it took. Because if you love someone, you protect them even if they think they hate you.” Said Keith looking determined. “Understand that I don't hate her, I hate what's gonna happen to her. I hate losing her."
"Wouldn't it be better if you told her about it?" Asked Allura looking confused.
"Well, l've suggested it myself, but l'm scared of what she'll say to me if I did." Said Keith looking embarrassed.
"I'm sure she'll understand if you tell her.” Said Allura smiling at Keith.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile back at Zarkon's Central Command Center ship, Haggar and her Druids are helping Zarkon find Voltron, until he saw the vision of the Planet Taujeer. When Zarkon stood, Haggar and the Druids stopped their power and knelt, allowing Zarkon to turn to Haggar.
"I have located them. Get me Morvok." Said Zarkon commanding Haggar.
Meanwhile at a Galra Warship, Commander Morvok is at the Main Bridge picking his teeth with his claws, after gathering the resources from the Planet Taujeer, and then Zarkon's face appeared in a large hologram.
"Commander Morvok." Said Zarkon causing Morvok to yelped.
"Aaah! Lord Zarkon!" Said Morvok as he leapt to his feet and salute.
"I am sending you coordinates near your current location. Voltron is there. Find it and bring it to me." Said Zarkon informing his commander.
"Voltron, sire?" Asked Morvok in shock.
"Indeed. Have you received the coordinates?" Asked Zarkon as Morvok have gotten the coordinates.
"If I may, I was able to acquire many resources, all to glorify your mighty reign, may it last a thousand centuries." Said Morvok saluting to Zarkon.
"Your bootlicking does not impress me, Morvok." Said Zarkon unimpressed with Morvok's success.
"I merely meant that I could be of even more use if I were to bring you these resources instead of. . ." Said Morvok trying to explain to Zarkon of the resources.
"Are you refusing my order?" Asked Zarkon in a darker tone scaring Morvok.
"Of course not! I will not fail you, Lord Zarkon." Said Morvok declaring to his emperor.
"See that you don't." Said Zarkon to Morvok. "Vrepit sa."
"Vrepit sa." Said Morvok saluting to his emperor as the transmission ended.
~~~~~~
"Assuming we can get it back up, the repairs will still take time." Said Pidge she and the other three lions hovered above the Taujeerians ship.
"Which would appear to be the one thing we don't have." Said Lana muttering a bit.
"We need to slow down the shedding." Said Shiro informing the others.
"How do you stop a planet that's coming apart at the seams?" Asked Pidge as she look at the acid.
"By sewing it back together!" Said Hunk suggesting his idea.
"What do you mean?" Asked Shiro in confusion.
"That new Green Lion weapon causes vegetation to grow, right? Well, I was thinking that if you aim it at the cracks in the planet the vines could act like stitches." Said Hunk explaining to the team.
"But won't the stitches get dissolved by the acid?" Asked Shiro till Pidge spoke up.
"The stitches might hold longer. . ." Said Pidge understanding Hunk's plan.
"If they're frozen." Said Lana finishing Pidge's thought and the Green Paladin smirk at Lana.
"It's a plan. Hunk, you and I will take our lions and get this ark upright while Pidge and Lana buy us some time." Said Shiro instructing the Paladins.
So the four Paladins began split up to do their parts of the plan, the Blue and Green Lion's headed over to the worst cracks in the crumbling planet while Hunk and Shiro placed the Black and Yellow Lion's under the Taujeerians ship and began to slowly lift it up.
They worked in silence for a few minutes, Pidge releasing vines into the cracks before Lana showed up with the Blue Lion and froze the vines to keep it in place.
"My side's clear, Shiro." Said Hunk informing Shiro.
"Almost done." Said Shiro as Pidge and Lana finished freezing the cracks.
"Yes! It worked!" Said Pidge as she and Lana cheered for their work.
"It won't hold forever. Keep going!" Said Shiro instructing the Paladins.
So Shiro and Hunk's were grunting as they try their hardest to push the ship back away from the cracks, suddenly the ground where the Yellow and Black Lion stood began to crumble as acid rises up, until Pidge and Lana flew their lions over and fired vines at the cracks before freezing them over.
"Thanks, guys." Said Shiro grunting a bit.
"You got it." Said Lana smiling at Shiro.
"Anytime." Said Pidge smiling as well.
After fixing the cracks, Lana and Pidge help Shiro and Hunk with the ship. The Taujeerians released mighty cheers from inside their ship as soon as it stood upright once again.
"All right, Hunk, time to work on those engines." Said Shiro as Hunk began to work on the ship.
~~~~~~
"So, what happens if Zarkon does come after us?" Asked Keith as he and Allura were still in deep space for hours.
"You said you could pilot us to safety, right?" Asked Allura
"Sure, but after that, could we even go back to the group? And if we don't, who would pilot the Castle or create wormholes?" Asked Keith looking at Allura.
"Well, what about you? Without you, the team cannot form Voltron." Said Allura as she makes a fair point.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile back at the Planet Taujeer, Hunk had figured out that he was able to use his bayard as a sort of welding gun, as he finished welding the last engine together on the ship.
"Well, it ain't pretty, but it should get you airborne." Said Hunk as the ground began to rumbled.
"Just in time." Said Shiro as he was relieved that they fix the ship on time.
As the Paladins flew their Lions safe distance away from the crumbling ground, the engines began to ignited before the stitched-together planet began splitting apart because of the acid. Then the Ark began to slowly lift off, when suddenly a laser blast came out of nowhere.
"What was that?" Asked Pidge in shock.
"The Galra. They're back." Said Shiro as he saw the Galra Warship.
Then just as the Taujeerians ship began to ascend slowly, the Galra ship threw another purple laser at the ground scattering debris in the air.
"Hunk! Take the Yellow Lion and hold up the ark. If it falls into the acid, the Taujeerians are doomed." Said Shiro as Hunk flew the Yellow Lion to the side of the ship that was tilting dangerously close to the acid.
"Not to mention the guy beneath them. Which would be me, in this particular scenario." Said Hunk grunting as he made the Yellow Lion plant its claws into the ground.
"Lana, Pidge, we've got to draw the cruiser's fire." Said Shiro as Lana and Pidge flew their lions towards the Galra Warship.
"Coran, we need you here now. Attack the Galra cruiser!" Said Shiro through the castle's com links.
"I'm on my way!" Shouted Coran driving tne castle to the planets atmosphere.
~~~~~~
"Keith, Allura, are you there?" Asked Coran through the com links.
"We're here, Coran. What is it?" Asked Allura through the com links.
"Zarkon is definitely not tracking us through either of you." Said Coran causing Keith and Allura to exchange hopeful looks to each other.
"He's not?" Asked Keith hoping he wasn't hearing things.
"How do you know?" Asked Allura to Coran.
"Because you're out there, and a Galra fleet just showed up here!" Said Coran as he started to sound like they are in urgent trouble. "We need you now!"
"We'll be there in two doboshes." Said Allura as Keith leaned forward to steer the ship around.
"Even faster than that." Said Keith as he starts pushing a few buttons on the screen.
"What is that?" Asked Allura getting curios.
"It's the booster fuel Pidge added to this pod." Said Keith as he clicked the button.
However as soon as Keith press the buttons for the boosters, the pod began to grew warm and they were ejected from the pod with a scream as the ship blew up. Keith and Allura screamed as they were thrown in opposite directions. Then Keith turned on the jets on his back on and tried to slow himself before he hastily looked in all directions for the Altean princess.
"Allura!" Shouted Keith as he began to fly near her. "Grab my hand!"
Allura stretched out her arm and after a bit of maneuvering, as Keith managed to clasp her hand and pull her close to him as they finally came to a stop.
"Princess, are you okay?" Asked Keith looking at Allura.
"I believe so. Is your radio still working?" Asked Allura looking at Keith.
"Let's find out." Said Keith as he tried to communicate to the castle. "Coran, can you hear me?"
However as Keith tried to communicate with Coran, all he got was static in his helmet. The two exchanged a look and nervously looked around but all they saw was the blackness of space.
~~~~~~
"This is going far better than I anticipated. We could actually capture Voltron! I could get transferred back to the hub. And they said I wasn't good enough to be in the hub." Said Morvok as he gasp in delight. "Maybe Zarkon will invite me to sit in his box at the gladiator matches! The ultimate honor!"
"Sir! Three Voltron Lions incoming!" Said the Galra Soilder.
"Fire on them with our full arsenal!" Shouted Morvok as he command his soldiers.
Then the Galra Warship began to fire at tne Lion's, but somehow they were able to dodge the laser's, while the Black Lion blasted at the ship.
"Sir, the lions are moving too fast for us to hit." Said the Galra Soldier informing Morvok.
"Well, let's make them stay in one place! Train the ion cannon on the ark. Sink the entire thing into the acid!" Said Morvok commanding the soldiers as they started to aim the ion cannon.
"They're aiming the ion cannon at the ark!" Shouted Shiro as he turn to Lana and Pidge. "Lana! Pidge! Attack the ship with your jaw blades!"
So Lana and Pidge started to split up, as the Green Lion went to the right and the Blue Lion went to the left, as they are neared the giant Galra ship, they both activated the blades on their lions jaw and stabbed a line on both sides of the ship.
~~~~~~
"We'll never get there at this rate." Said Keith as he kept flying him and Allura with his jetpack,
"This was a terrible mistake. Shiro was right. We never should have left them." Said Allura frowning at the idea of leaving group as they both kept on going.
~~~~~~
Shiro and the black lion headed straight for the ion cannon and released their own blades before striking the platform that was holding the cannon. The ion cannon tilted to the side and instead of firing the ship, it fired at one of the frozen cracks that Lana and Pidge had stitched together.
Suddenly the cracks began to reopened and large pieces of rock went flying straight at Hunk and the Yellow Lion, who are still holding the Taujeerian ship.
"Rocks! Big, big rocks!" Shouted Hunk in a panic tone.
"We got you, buddy." Said Lana as she threw the big rocks to the side.
Suddenly the Galra ship started firing more beams at the Shiro and the Black Lion, when Coran finally appeared and started returning fire with the castle weapons.
"Way to go, Coran!" Said Shiro in relief. "Hunk, what's your status?"
"Mostly just trying not to fall into a bubbling pot of acid." Said Hunk looked around anxiously.
"We're being overwhelmed!" Shouted Lana warning the other's.
"We need Voltron!" Shouted Pidge while trying to fight the Galra Warship.
"Oh, if only there were another who could pilot the Red Lion." Said Coran till his eyes widen.
At that realization, Coran left the Main Bridge, and he ran to the Red Lion's hanger, where it sat patiently.
"Finally, Alfor. I will walk in your footsteps! Oh, Red Lion, I am unworthy to be your Paladin, but since you have chosen to bestow this honor upon me, Coran Hieronymus Wimbleton Smythe, I humbly accept." Said Coran looking at the Red Lion.
Suddenly the Red Lion's eyes flashed and it stood, causing Coran's heart soaring. But then the alarm for the bay doors went off and the Red Lion ejected itself into space.
"Oh, yes! Right. Okay. Just a quick lap." Said Coran as he stretched for a bit, till he ran back to the Main Bridge. "Uh, okay, guys? So, yeah the the Red Lion ran away."
"I can't hold it any longer!" Shouted Hunk as he tried to hold the ship.
"Hunk, you have to! If you let go, the Taujeerians will die!" Said Shiro as he and the Black Lion ducked under the laser beams that are firing in their directions.
Hunk let out a groan as the yellow lion began to slide towards the acid, the Taujeerian ship tilting with it.
'My Paladin, feel our bond, show me how much you want to protect the Taujeerians!' Said Yellow encouraging his Paladin.
Hunk can hear the Taujeerians crying and screaming from inside the ship and Hunk let out a fierce yell as he tried to keep the ship from falling. Suddenly the strangest thing happened, the Yellow Lion's eyes glowed and it let out a roar before a massive armor burst into existence, with extra claws on all four paws. Immediately, they dug into the ground, stabilizing the Ark on the ground.
"Oh, whoa! Armor claws!" Shouted Hunk cheering at his new upgrade of his Lion.
Then the Yellow Lion turned on its blasters from the top and further lifted the Taujeerian ship.
"Guys, I can keep this thing from falling any farther but I need your help to get it back up." Shouted Hunk to the others.
"We're on our way!" Said Shiro answering to Hunk.
So the three Lion's maneuvered around the laser beams, that are still being fired by the Galra ship, as they are taking up positions around the Yellow Lion and pushed the Taujeerian ship upward in an effort to get it upright once again.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile back at deep space, Allura and Keith's process was painfully slow, as Keith's jetpack was not made for long-distance space travel. Suddenly a loud roar startled them both in place.
"Keith, look!" Said Allura in shock.
Keith turned his eyes where the noise had come from and slowly grinned to see the Red Lion coming to them.
"The Red Lion found you!" Said Allura as Keith smirked at seeing his Lion.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile the Lion's we're trying their best to hold the Taujeerians ship so it won't fall to the acid. Then the ion cannon was aiming at the Ark, Coran was firing back with castle weapons the best he could but they didn't seem to be doing much damage.
Suddenly just as the ion cannon was about to shoot, when suddenly the Red Lion appeared from the right before releasing its jaw blade. Keith avoided the beams fired his way and headed straight for the ion cannon. Just as the ion cannon was about to fire, the red lion's jaw blade completely snapped it off and it went crumbling down into the acid pond.
"Good to have you back, Keith." Said Shiro smiling at Keith.
"Good to be back." Said Keith smiling back at Shiro.
"Is the Princess with you?" Asked Lana feeling a bit worried. “Are you two okay?”
"Yes, Lana. We're both okay." Said Keith smiling at Lana.
"Good." Said Lana feeling relief but starts to scolds. "But that doesn't mean you and I are gonna have a talk about it after this!"
"Same goes for you, Allura." Said Shiro agreeing with Lana as Keith and Allura blush in embarrassment.
"You're gonna get into trouble." Said Pidge and Hunk as they tease.
"I can hear you." Said Shiro causing Pidge and Hunk to scream.
"Uh, Keith? Little help?" Asked Hunk to Keith.
"On my way, buddy." Said Keith responding to Hunk.
Then Keith flew into the castle quickly to drop Allura off before flying back into the fray, destroying fighters along the way. Then all five Voltron Lions converged just above the Ark, the rising acidic vapours catching the blinding light.
"All right, everybody. No time to relax. Let's show them what they're dealing with. From Voltron!" Shouted Shiro informing the others.
The five Lions began to shot up to the sky as one and before the knew it, Voltron was formed. Suddenly the Galra ship started turning its weapons to the Taujeerian ship.
"They're heading for the ark!" Shouted Pidge seeing the ship.
"They're gonna ram it!" Shouted Hunk in a panic tone.
"We'll have to meet them head-on. Form sword!" Shouted Shiro as Pidge and Keith brought the arms they were piloting together and formed the red sword.
"Will the sword be able to cut through an entire battle cruiser?" Asked Lana feeling like the sword won't be strong enough.
"It'll have to!" Said Shiro to the others.
'My Paladin, it is time you combine your bayards.' Said the four Lion's to Keith, Lana, Pidge, and Hunk.
"Guys, I think my lion is telling me something." Said Keith hearing Red's voice in his head.
"Yeah, mine too." Said Lana hearing Blue's voice in her head.
"I can feel it too." Said Pidge hearing Green's voice in her head.
"Same here." Said Hunk hearing Yellow's voice in his head.
"Then do it!" Shouted Shiro to the other's.
So Keith, Lana, Pidge, and Hunk grabbed the hilt of their Bayard's and turned it to the side, as if they were turning a key. Suddenly there was a glowing light and suddenly the sword that Voltron was brandishing doubled in size and turned blue.
The five paladins lifted the sword high up in the air just as the giant Galra ship headed for them. Together, they brought the sword down and cut the ship all the way down the middle, and the Galra ship blew up behind them in a mighty explosion.
"Yes!" Said Hunk cheering for their victory.
"Yeah!" Said Pidge cheering as well.
"Now let's get the Taujeerians to safety." Said Keith informing the others.
"How are we going to do that? Their booster rockets are shot." Said Hunk reminding them.
Together, the Paladin's flew Voltron over to the Taujeerian ship and slowly started to lift it up in the air. The Taujeerians screams in fear, but their scream turned into cheers as Voltron started flying them towards the moon while their home planet sheds.
~~~~~~
After the Paladin's rescued the people of Taujeer, they all cheered and thanked them before they left and fly back to the Castle of Lion's. However Hunk and Pidge told Keith that Alana is waiting for him at the lounge because she wanted to talk to him, while Shiro and Coran talk to Allura.
Keith takes off his armor, puts on his clothes, and goes to the lounge where Lana is in her clothes and waiting for him, and when he arrives, he sees Lana with her arms crossed, frowning at him.
"Lana, I can explain." Said Keith till Lana raised her hand.
"Before you do Keith, I just wanna say that I was worried about what would happen to you if Zarkon was really tracking through you. I panicked when I thought about it, and when you came back, I was happy that you're okay, but disappointed that you didn't tell me why you left." Said Lana looking a bit hurt. "Why did you leave, Keith?"
"I did it because I was scared of what would happen to you." Said Keith looking scared.
"What does that have to do with me?" Asked Lana looking confused.
"Last night I had a nightmare. I was in my room a second ago, then when I saw Red, his eyes were glowing purple, and everything went black. I saw myself in Galra armor and Zarkon's reflection on my blade and when I looked away and turned around, I saw blood. That's when I saw you lying in a pool of blood and I realized that. . ." Said Keith as he turns around not wanting Lana to see him she’d any tears.
"What is it, Keith?" Asked Lana looking worried.
"I-I killed you. I killed you, Lana. You were dead, and it was all my fault." Said Keith as he turns around to face Lana. "I was an animal, because I slaughtered you like an animal. And I died."
Keith sits down on the couch placing his hand on his face, then Lana sits next to him, wraps her arms around him.
"Keith, you could never kill me, because that was just a dream." Said Lana comforting him.
"What do you mean, Lana?" Asked Keith looking at Lana.
"Because I know you, Keith. You're our friend, and nothing can change that." Said Lana smiling at Keith and he calms down.
"Really, Lana? You mean that?" Asked Keith with widen eyes.
"Of course I do." Said Lana smiling at Keith. "So, what happened after the nightmare?"
"I woke up and had to check on you to see if you were okay, and when I got to your room, you weren't bleeding, which was a relief, but l was still scared that you wouldn't be safe around me if Zarkon was tracking through me. That's why I left. Lana, understand that I didn't do it to hurt you, I did it to protect you. I thought it was the only way." Said Keith looking at Lana.
"You could've just told me about it instead running off like that, Keith. I mean, if I thought Zarkon was tracking through me, what would your reaction have been if I did this to you?" Asked Lana looking confused.
Keith is shocked and feels his heart ache at such a question, but looks at Lana with a determined look.
"Lana, I would've come after you. Whether to protect you or drag you back depends on the situation." Said Keith as Lana smiles at him.
The. Lana and Keith stand up to head by the Main Bridge, but before they leave, Keith embraces Lana from behind.
"I'm sorry, Lana. I really am. I didn't mean to worry you like that. I know this is hard for you and you're scared for me. I can accept that. But more than anything, I didn't want Zarkon or anyone else touching you. I only lost you once, l almost lost you four times, I can’t let that happen again.” Said Keith looking worried.
Lana was shock at this but she smiles as turns around to hug Keith.
“It’s okay Keith, just don’t ever do something like this again.” Said Lana smiling at Keith. “Okay come one Keith, let’s head to the Main Bridge, cause Shiro said that he figured out something.”
And so Keith and Lana head back to the Main Bridge where the others are waiting for them.
~~~~~~
The team and the Lion's gathered on the Main Bridge, Allura and Keith standing before the rest of the team.
"I'm so sorry for leaving." Said Allura with her hands clasped in front of her and was looking down on the floor.
"Me too. We thought we were doing the right thing." Said Keith in an apologetic tone.
"But clearly you were correct, Shiro. We are always stronger together." Said Allura turning to Shiro.
"At least we learned that Zarkon isn't tracking us through you two." Said Lana crossing her arms over her chest.
"Plus, I learned that my lion can grow armor and extend its claws like that! Which will come in handy if we ever needed to, say, I don't know, slice up a giant steak while getting beat up." Said Hunk while the others give him a look. "Or fight evil and save innocent people. That too. That would work."
"The fact that the Red Lion came to help Keith from so far away is a vital piece of information. We now have proof that a lion and a Paladin can, in fact, connect over a far greater distance than we realized." Said Shiro casting his eyes downward and his expression was little sad. "Which means we finally know how Zarkon is tracking us. It's through the Black Lion."
There was absolute silence as the Paladin's, the two Altean's, and the Lion all took that in. They finally realized that Zarkon is tracking through the Black Lion, and now they must figure out how to stop Zarkon from tracking them.