Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“ACHOO!” Keith’s fur fluffed up as he sneezed loudly, making his Earthling allies and father all wince.

“Whoa, man, any survivors?” Lance asked.

“No…” Keith grumbled, sniffling. “Ugh…”

“What’s wrong?” Chip asked. “It sounds like a cold, but…”

“More or less? It is.” Coran nodded. “Keith must have picked it up at one of the bases we struck this past movement.”

“Great.” Keith accepted the medical mask that Coran handed him. “Pretty much? It’s like a cold like what Earthlings get, but this one mainly affects Galra. And a few other races I think, but…”

“That’s right. Unless things have changed with the virus, Allura and I are immune to it.” Coran explained. “However, it’s best to be cautious and masked around the Earthlings in case they aren’t as safe. And Haxus and Regris since they can be hit by this one.”

“This ain’t good.” Chief sighed, worried for his son. He ruffled his son’s hair, sad that his pride and joy was ill. “Ain’t there a thin’ we can do to help ‘im out with healin’?”

“Oh! Yeah! Like those healing pods!” Hunk pointed out. “They did wonders for those prisoners from Sendak’s ship, Lance when he got blown up, Pidge with her past injuries, Shiro this last time-”

“Yeah, can’t we use a pod and bang, bam, presto, Keith is all better?” Lance interrupted.

“Sadly, while they can heal injuries, this is a viral thing.” Allura explained. “If this were a case of deadly disease and we need time for a cure, then we could put him in stasis. But this is a common viral sickness; the pods won’t do a thing.”

“They can heal people from near-death and concussions but not a common cold?” Lance asked, looking a bit dumbfounded.

“Okay, so pods are out.” Shiro nodded. “What about medicine? Would something help ease it along and reduce symptoms, like on Earth?”

“Sorry, ain’t got medicine on me an’ didn’t think to put some in Pigeon and Chipper’s bags ‘fore we left Earth.” Chief admitted. “An’ I dunno what of Altean medicine can help with this.”

“Rest is the best option at this point.” Allura reminded. “Which means no training for a few quintants, Keith.”

“What about Voltron?” Keith asked. “We can’t just stop working just because I have a cold.”

“We’ll have to hope for the best, but if push comes to shove…” Shiro mumbled.

“If I may suggest another option to help out,” Haxus was looking over the galactic map, “I think there’s a solution.” He touched the hologram, making a sector zoom in. The Thaldycon system. “I need to go to a base soon and check in with the Blade of Marmora, give my report on what’s going on and report Regris being found and staying here. It’s a communications base, which will help so I can make my report, but it’ll also be supplied, even with medicine that will help Keith. In fact,” Haxus seemed to think it over, “I think Ulaz is there. He’s a medical officer and can evaluate Keith’s health more thoroughly; not that I have doubts in Coran’s inspection, but…”

“No, no, that would be beneficial.” Coran nodded.

“Ulaz… Ulaz…” Shiro thought over the name, it sounding familiar.

“He’s the one who got you to the base where I was.” Keith clarified. “That way I could get you to Earth. He’s also my uncle’s mate.” He smiled behind his mask. “He’ll definitely know how best to work with a cold in me.”

“And he can be trusted?” Allura asked. She did her best to not see all Galra as bad, but she was still understandably cautious. “And this base, too?”

Haxus nodded. “Indeed.” he said. “If necessary, it should even prove to be a good place to rest for a quintant or two so Keith can get rest.” He eyed the other paladins and young teen there. “Perhaps everyone can get some much needed rest.”

Allura couldn’t deny it, the others definitely did need rest. It had only been a few quintants since the team had rescued her from Zarkon’s command ship. A lot had happened since then; fighting Zarkon and a tremendous fleet of battleships, getting separated, Shiro needing to recover and Regris joining the group, a few more planets to liberate. It was definitely a lot and the team really could use the rest.

“Then it looks like we’re going to the Thaldycon system.” Allura stated.

“Right, I’ll input the coordinates for the location.” Coran went to his station to do as suggested.

“We should inform Pidge and Regris of the plans, too.” Chip spoke up. “Pidge especially may feel it in the ship if we’re using a wormhole and ask questions. Plus, updating Regris on Keith’s cold so he can avoid getting it himself.”

“Where even are they?” Lance asked. “I half expected at least Pidge to be up here since you’re here.”

“Just because we’re twins doesn’t mean we’re joined at the hip.” Chip informed. “Anyway, they’re probably down in Green’s hangar working on some things.”

“Hmm…” Haxus was thinking the situation over. In the past movement since meeting, Regris and Pidge had grown close. When they would be on missions, the tailed Blade took to helping the blind paladin out, joining her in the green lion and having her back when they were infiltrating bases. Hell, they even started training together, sometimes teaming up, sometimes going head to head.

“I have another suggestion.” Haxus spoke up, getting the others to look to him.

-+-+-+-

While everyone thought Pidge and Regris were down in the green lion’s hangar, they in fact were not. They were in the yellow lion’s hangar, a small station set up already since, much like his friend and fellow paladin, Hunk liked to do occasional work in the area, especially with the twins.

“Hmm.” Regris checked the interface on his armour, bringing up a screen and reading the message sent to him.

“What’s up?” Pidge asked, hearing the small noise her friend made.

“Oh, we’re moving locations and Haxus just wanted to inform us.” Regris responded. “Apparently Keith got sick on one of the last missions, so it’s best we stop someplace safe so he can rest. And keep our distances so we don’t risk getting sick, too; he doesn’t know if this can affect Earthlings or not and they don’t want the risk.”

“Sounds good.” Pidge nodded. “I deal enough with allergies, I’d hate to catch an alien cold.” She rubbed her nose. “I hope he gets to feeling better soon. If an alien cold is like an Earthling one, remind him to stay hydrated. And sleeping a bit elevated can help, too.”

“So Earthlings have colds, too?” Regris asked, genuinely curious.

“We’ve got a lot of sicknesses, some with cures, some without, some that just take time to recover from or with medicines to alleviate the symptoms.” Pidge replied, grabbing some wires and tinkering with them. “Unfortunately, there are sicknesses we don’t have cures to. Yet. In time I’m sure we will. Medical science is really amazing in how much people can progress.” She felt around the station. “Uh, Regris, can you find me that thingamajig? The soft handled one with the spiky bit for screws. Four points? About… this big?” She put her fingers to show how small she needed for the bit.

“You do know these tools have actual names, right?” Regris inquired as he went through the tools, finding what she needed. He then handed it over.

“Okay, screwdriver.”

“A what?”

“My point exactly.” Pidge sighed. “What I feel as a screwdriver, like this tool, you know it as different. So, I call it a-”

“A thingamajig.” Regris nodded. “Got it.”

Pidge was working on unscrewing something. She stopped for a moment as she felt a subtle shuddering in the castle. “Must be using a wormhole.”

“You can tell?”

“It’s easier to tell in the lions’ hangars and down in the engine rooms; the castle kinda shudders because the space in a wormhole is distorted.” Pidge explained.

“It’s remarkable.” Regris commented, smiling a bit. “People think you’re at the disadvantage because you can’t see, but you’re senses are heightened from it all.”

“Not exactly heightened.” Pidge waved it off. “But I pay attention to my hearing, sense of smell, and touch more than the others on the team. So, it seems like those senses are increased, but they’re just focused on more instead.”

“I see.” Regris twitched his tail across the floor of the hangar. “It’s still amazing. I can’t imagine it being easy to work with, but you make it seem so.”

“Helps that I was born like this and didn’t have to adjust.” Pidge picked up the wires she was working with. “Okay, now to see if this’ll work.”

“What are you even working on?”

“Setting the yellow lion up with cloaking.” Pidge stated. “So, keep an eye on him for me, will you? See if he goes invisible.” She smiled. “If we can get cloaking to all the lions, it would be beneficial for the team, I think. Especially when sneaking past battleships or for stealth.” She cackled a bit. “Now! Let’s work this electricity!” She put the wires together, making them spark and electrocute her a bit, though she didn’t seem bothered by it.

As the wires sparked and smoked a bit, the lights suddenly went out. With this, Regris twitched is tail, the spines jolting upwards in alarm.

“Um… that didn’t feel like it worked.” Pidge commented, coughing a bit. “Did we lose power? I’m not hearing the hum of the lights.”

“Just how much energy and electricity were you working with?” Regris asked, amazed, stunned, and a little bit terrified of the paladin’s capabilities.

“Less than the death ray I tried to make when I was five.” Pidge sighed. “Okay, uh…. Yeah, I don’t think this is a problem I can just leave for Coran to fix. Oops.”

Chapter Text

“Team, do you copy?” Pidge asked into the comms. “Chip? Chief? Shiro?” No responses came back. “Did the power outage in here knock everything offline?” She stopped when she heard the hum of the lights activating again. “Oh, lights are back.”

“Not exactly.” Regris responded, noticing the lights taking on a purple hue rather than their vibrant blue. “They’re purple. Which, uh… it’s different. And not a good sign.”

“Rover, do a bio-rhythm scan.” Pidge made sure her drone was online. With a beep of confirmation, Rover did as told, scanning the castle, utilizing the BLIPtech drones the paladin placed before for safety reasons. He then beeped at her. “Four Galra….” Pidge translated. “That’s one more than there should be.”

“We must have an intruder.” Regris’ tail twitched.

“Then we best get to work.” Pidge went to where her armour was nearby and put it on, knowing she needed it. Once suited up and ready to go, she checked back in with the team. “Guys, do you copy?” Nothing. “The bridge could’ve been taken over… the team subdued.” she rationalized. She nodded. “We should head up there. Logic points to them having been there, too. If they still are but detained, getting them back will aid us in having backup.”

“Right.” Regris nodded, seeing the logic in that idea and ready to follow through. While his training as a Blade taught him that he couldn’t always save his teammates on missions, that the mission itself was most important, Voltron was different. To start, they needed all five paladins. From there, they were a team, a family, a pack. They always seemed to have each others’ backs. It was nice.

“Then let’s go.” Pidge activated her bayard, ready to use it and beat any enemy senseless with it. She then took the lead, heading out of the yellow lion’s bay and going out into the hall. She got herself oriented, figuring out their location and how best to get to the bridge.

As the paladin went, the tailed Blade followed close behind, his steps even lighter than hers, his tail up a bit so as to not make any noise along the floor. As they went through, Pidge would stop now and then, listening. Unsure of things, though, Regris dared to speak.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his tone hushed.

“Listening.” Pidge responded.

“I hear nothing right off.”

“Shh.” Pidge hushed her friend and focused on the sounds. The hum of the lights. It was quiet. But not as quiet as it should have. Small shuffles further down the hall, but further behind them. It wasn’t Regris’ tail, it was too far for that. “There.” She didn’t waste time. Surprising the Blade, she ran past him and down into the dimly lit hallway, heading for where she heard the sounds.

Regris wanted to call after her about making too much noise, her steps heavy as she ran, but he didn’t want to shout. “She really jumps right into things, huh?” he asked, though even Rover wasn’t there; the drone had gone in to follow his paladin. He then took off too, not caring that he made a bit more noise than earlier. Stealth seemed to have been tossed out through the airlock at that point.

Pidge got to where she heard the soft steps down the hall, reaching a taller figure with broad shoulders. She wasted no time in going in for the attack, swinging her staff and nearly hitting them in the side. However, they managed to catch hold of it before moving, swinging her to the side with her own staff. This was all Pidge needed in order to know they weren’t a friend, at least right off.

The unknown figure gave way to a couple of things. One, they didn’t speak up. Had they been one of her allies maintaining stealth, much like Keith or Haxus would, they would have spoken up. Two, they meant to stay quiet, and not just vocally. As they moved, their footsteps hardly made a clacking noise. While Galra, they didn’t seem to wear the same armour others she’s faced have done. Instead, this one was set up for that stealth. Had they been a Blade, odds were, they would have spoken up to announce themselves, right?

Either way, until shown otherwise, she would treat them as the enemy. They then moved in for an attack, Rover quick to alert her. She moved out of the way and swung her staff upwards, hitting them in the arm. The figure seemed to grunt, though it sounded more like confirmation than annoyance and certainly wasn’t of pain or discomfort. She went to strike again, but they dodged out of the way.

Rover beeped again, trying to give his girl indication of where to strike. Pidge went for another attack, but the figure dodged once more. There was an alarmed beep followed by a clattering sound. She knew the sound of metal hitting metal; more than that, she knew the sound Rover made when falling to the floor after being knocked offline.

“Really? What is it with folks knocking Rover offline? Jeez!” Pidge grunted, annoyed with that. She was then grabbed hold of and thrown down the hall. She bounced a bit and skidded across the floor. “Oof. So that’s what dwarf tossing feels like.”

“Hruff!” Regris jumped over Pidge as he ran down the hall and went at the figure next, their blades clanking against each other as the enemy used his sword to block the strike. Regris, though, had a slight advantage. He had a tail, and a muscular and prehensile one at that. He used it to grab the enemy’s leg and pull it out from under him, forcing him to do the splits.

Pidge heard the unknown foe whimper a bit. Stealthy, but not the most flexible. Good. She got back up and ran over. Minding where Regris was, her tailed friend even dodging a bit to avoid any accidents, she swung her staff again, this time hitting the enemy in their masked face. With the force applied and them already off balance from the splits, it was enough to send them to the floor.

“Nice hit.” Regris complimented.

“Good thinking with the tail.” Pidge grinned. She then heard the enemy get up again before charging at them. Two on one. While the odds seemed unfair at first, she had to admit one thing: this enemy clearly had experience. They didn’t seem to have much struggle fighting a young tailed Blade and an inexperienced blind Earthling.

The enemy managed to throw each teen opposite directions down the halls. Pidge groaned as she hit the floor yet again, really hating that feeling. She brushed it off as quickly as she could, though, and handled her bayard, thankful she didn’t drop it. She then held it out, turning it from its staff form to what Chip called the hookshot, reminded of an item from the Sword Legends games he loved to play. She listened, hearing the soft step of her foe.

With that, she fired right at them.

Pidge felt the sensation of impact. No, that wasn’t quite it. It didn’t even wrap around them. A tug confirmed that something was off. She let out a yelp as she was suddenly dragged through the hall; dragging her, though, didn’t make her lessen the grip on her bayard. She refused to let the enemy get away that easily, especially with her weapon. Or maybe they weren’t getting rid of her at all; they could let go with ease any moment and leave her in the dust.

So they were planning something.

Pidge didn’t know what that something was, though.

She didn’t think much of what the enemy had planned though as she heard another sound coming up behind them past the enemy’s footsteps and her armor scraping along the floor. Regris. He was running after them, quickly catching up. When he was alongside the paladin, he poked her arm with his tail and slid it back. He then ran ahead.

Had anyone seen it, it would look like he was assuring her he was there. But Pidge found a deeper message in the light gesture. She waited a moment before changing position, getting her feet up under herself. She pressed down, hoping to create drag and slow the foe up some.

She smirked, feeling the tension of the tether with her weapon. She then felt another tug and she was pulled forward, sent through the air once more and crashing right into Regris.

“Never mind, that didn’t work.” Regris grumbled.

“Okay, that was disorienting.” Pidge grumbled. She then felt the tether go lax. She recalled the end of the hookshot and made her bayard take its staff form once more. She got off of Regris and smacked around the hall, somehow not hitting anyone, surprisingly even Regris as he curled up in alarm.

Regris couldn’t figure out what Pidge was doing. Did she get fed up with the enemy and she’s just planning on going feral? Even their enemy kept back and watched cautiously, unsure of what was wrong with the paladin. He then slid his foot back.

“There.” Pidge smirked. She slammed her staff into the floor, shoving up part of a panel, a cover to some circuits; to anyone who didn’t know the castle well enough, Regris included, it was easy to miss. The paladin managed to get it up and off the floor, flinging it at the enemy and actually smacking them in the face as they didn’t expect it.

Nor did they expect her next hit.

With them thrown off by the panel getting their face, Pidge went at them and flung her staff upwards, catching them in the family jewels. She knew she hit her mark when she heard a small yelp. “Zap zap!” She then gave them a full charge from her weapon, sending electricity coursing through them from that one delicate spot. One thing she could appreciate, Galra had some similar weaknesses as Earthlings, and that included the ten point region.

The enemy twitched and let out a pained snarl as the electricity coursed through them. They then collapsed, the attack doing enough to knock them down for a bit.

“Ooh! That has got to hurt.” Regris whimpered, curling in on himself as he had sympathy pains for the other.

“All is fair in love and war.” Pidge hummed.

“Yeah, but I don’t think that covers cheap shots to the crotch!” Lance called over the comms.

“Lance?! You’re okay!” Pidge cheered. “Wait… you’re okay? Are the others...”

“We’re fine, Pidge.” Chip said over the comms. “We’re… uh… hoo boy…”

“Well, that’s one way to handle a test of infiltration with Regris’ aid…” Coran mused. “But, uh… there goes the doctor who was supposed to help Keith with his cold.”

Pidge let the information sink in. It wasn’t an actual attack? And they knew who it was? She then poked the figure on the floor. “Uh… buddy? Sir? You good?” she asked. The Galran on the floor only groaned. “Regris, by chance, is this guy Blade of Marmora?”

“Yeah…” Regris nodded. “Sorry for not saying so sooner.” He sighed. “Well, at least we know you can handle even Ulaz…”

“Right.” Pidge tapped the floor a bit. “Okay, uh, you find rover for me, will you? I’ve got some guys on the bridge to deal with.” She then ran off, heading for the rest of the team.

Chapter Text

“When you set me up to test the smallest paladin and Regris in their teamwork, I was a bit upset when you informed me that the paladin was not only small, but still a child and blind.” Ulaz was a senior Blade. He had trained with them and severed the Blade of Marmora for many, many years. He had trained others over the years and had been on many undercover missions. In addition, he was a skilled medical officer. Yet there he was, unmasked and lying on a section of the sunken pit couch in the lounge, a bag of ice over his sensitive groin. “What you did not warn me about was that she was tricky and feral in some of her fighting.”

“Yeah, in addition to that, she’s a cruel friend.” Lance grumbled, rubbing his head. When Pidge got to the bridge, she ended up hitting everyone with her staff, Haxus twice for good measure as it was initially his idea. “Jeez, Pidge, it was just a test! And how come you didn’t hit Regris? He didn’t warn you either!”

“Because logic points out that he was aware of the test and meant to keep silent and act as though it were the real deal.” Pidge stated. “Ugh! I was worried about you idiots! After last time…!” She crossed her arms and huffed. “I was worried, okay?”

“You can rest easy now knowing we’re safe.” Haxus reminded. He then rubbed his head. “Kind of.” He shook his head. “But you did show well what I wanted to see in action. You worked well with Regris in a situation you didn’t understand and feeling the castle was under attack.

“I guess.” Pidge shrugged.

“I’m the one who’s sick and she still hit me.” Keith muttered. “Is she always this violent? I don’t remember this when we were kids...”

“Yeah, it’s kinda become her special way of communicating.” Chip informed.

“Well, her communication skills suck. Most just talk.” Keith grumbled.

“There we go.” Regris got Rover back online, bumping the drone up into the air and prompting him to go to Pidge. “By the way, Pidge, are you okay? You were thrown around a lot.”

“I’ve been hurt worse.” Pidge informed. “Once I fell off the roof trying to fix the satellites.”

“Should’a seen Sammy panic.” Chief whispered to Coran, making him chuckle.

“Blind and even working on satellites back on Earth? You really are remarkable.” Hunk admitted. He then looked to Ulaz. “You doing okay?”

“The hit was one thing. But the electricity…” Ulaz spoke up.

“Well, it didn’t knock Haxus down when I fought him before finding out he’s a Blade and it didn’t take Sendak down when I got them in other spots.” Pidge admitted. “So, go for the next spot. Ten points.”

“More like a hundred point combo at that point.” Chip chuckled, making his twin grin.

“Anyway, I am well enough to get Keith medical aid.” Ulaz sat up slowly, removing the ice pack with a grumble. “I am impressed, though. You figured how to work with another Blade and managed to take a foe bigger than yourself down. You did well.” He offered a small, barely visible smile. “Both of you did.”

Ulaz got up and looked to Allura. “Princess Allura, if possible, I would like to suggest us going to the base here.” he requested. “It is a space-time pocket hidden within the xanthorium clusters; it will be an idea spot to rest while administering treatment to Keith, and perhaps letting him rest more.”

Allura nodded. “Coran, you can handle that?” she requested.

“I’m a little concern about those clusters, but… I can give it a go.” Coran nodded as he walked out, heading back up to the bridge. Once there, he got them into the pocket, surprised himself that it actually worked. Once they were safe and sound, though, Ulaz got to work in getting Keith treated, and even medicine for Regris and Haxus as preventative measures.

“When we finish treatments, I’d like to send a message back to headquarters, informing them of the situation and my stay here in the castle.” Haxus informed Ulaz. He then tugged at the Altean flight suit he was provided. “And perhaps get an extra uniform if there are any available. This is fine and all, but I’d feel more comfortable in Marmora armour.”

“That will be be doable.” Ulaz nodded. He then finished giving Keith medicine. “He should be fine. It’ll take a few quintants for full recovery, but he’ll be fine. And best be masked around your Earthling allies; we don’t know if they’ll be affected by this, too.”

“Yeah, that was the plan.” Keith confirmed. He sniffed a bit.

“Thank you for the help.” Allura told Ulaz, genuinely grateful. “And for helping with testing Pidge and Regris.” She looked to where they were, Regris and Chip checking out the video relay of what they went through to get into the space-time pocket, using their hands to help describe what it looked like to the blind member.

“She really is blind, isn’t she?” Ulaz asked. “It doesn’t sit well with me knowing that not only are children out here fighting in this war, but that one is blind…”

“It doesn’t sit well with me, either.” Allura admitted. “I didn’t know they were children right away until Chief pointed it out the second quintant in knowing them. And we learned of Pidge’s blindness later than that. But the lions chose them for a reason.” She smiled, watching as the others joined the other three, talking and even poking fun at Keith for managing to get sick. “But they’re not alone. Not Pidge or Chip… any of them.” She looked to Ulaz and Haxus. “You think your headquarters will allow Regris to continue working here with us? He and Pidge do well together, not just as friends, but in combat as a team.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.” Haxus stated. “I’m glad you approve if the idea.”

“She ain’t the only one.” Chief let out a sigh of relief. “I still worry ‘bout them kids, ‘specially Pigeon an’ Chippers. But I think they got a good team goin’ fer them.”

“Agreed.” Allura nodded.

“Anyway, work here is done, we should get headquarters updated.” Ulaz informed. “We’ll head to the base from here; it shouldn’t take long.”

“Can we check it out, too!?” Pidge exclaimed, hearing the others and running over. “I wanna see how they made the space pocket!”

“Yeah! It’s gotta be super cool!” Hunk cheered.

“I wonder how it works.” Chip was just as excited.

“If they’re gonna go with, I suggest takin’ Green so Pigeon can see it.” Chief suggested. He looked to Keith. “An’ I think ya should stay here, son; get some rest. Or at least relax.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Keith sniffed a bit.

“I’ll stay here to guard the princess… er… castle.” Lance spoke up. “You know, in case there’s danger.”

“Ugh.” Allura rolled her eyes.

“Haxus, can you keep an eye on the lot going with you or do you need some help?” Shiro inquired.

“I think I have them handled.” Haxus assured.

With the next plan in mind, the others split off, part of the team going in the green lion to the base, part of the team remaining at the castle, making sure their surroundings were indeed safe.

“There.” Ulaz motioned ahead. “That is the gravity generator that forms the space-time fold that hides the station.” He wondered if Pidge really saw it through the green lion’s eyes, but her sound of awe said she did. “It was created by the reclusive genius engineer named Slav; his technology has aided the Blade of Marmora greatly in remaining hidden while we work to take down the empire.” he sighed. “But we must keep it safe. Technology like this falling into enemy hands would be a bad idea.”

“So, uh,” Hunk looked back and forth between Ulaz and Haxus, “if you guys have been working from the shadows to take down Zarkon, why didn’t you do so sooner? Like, uh, stop this? Not that any of this is your fault, but…”

“Because, at one point as a whole, Galra have thought that there would be stability with the expansion of the Galra Empire.” Ulaz informed, not at all taking any offense to what Hunk was asking. “However, we learned too late that a tyrant does not seek stability, only power.”

“Thus the formation of the Blade of Marmora.” Haxus chimed in. “And getting members and putting them all over the Empire’s territory, many working from the inside.”

“And now with Voltron, perhaps with coordinated attacks we can finally have a chance.” Ulaz nodded. He got Pidge to land the lion in a hangar, a few ships on hand in case they were needed already docked. He led them up to the main part of the base, motioning for where Haxus could change into the Marmora uniform.

“Agents working in Zarkon’s ranks makes sense, especially since you apparently were one and got Shiro free, and Haxus was one, working under Sendak and collecting information.” Chip mused as he went along with the others so Ulaz could work on his report and get in touch with Marmora headquarters. “When we were at Zarkon’s command ship rescuing Allura, there was this shield that kept us from leaving. But it went down. Do you think it was another Blade that did that?”

Ulaz nodded. “Indeed.” he said. “It is a risk and I hope it did not compromise their position, but it was likely.”

“Hmm. I wonder…” Chip mused. “Do you think some Blades who work on the inside would know about our family?” He looked to Pidge, hearing her make a small, sad noise. “Our parents and older brother were taken alongside Shiro.”

“Unfortunately I did not see any others with him, but I knew they had been captured.” Ulaz informed, his voice showing his sympathy for what the twins were facing. “But I do have some records myself. I’ll transmit them back to your ship so you can further study them. It is possible other Blades know something and may be in positions to help, too.”

“That’d be nice.” Chip nodded. He put a hand to his sister’s shoulder, happy to see her smile at that hope. He then looked when Haxus was heard returning, the Blade donning the Blade of Marmora uniform, though his did not have the wider blue over the shoulders like Ulaz’s.

“It’s good to be back in uniform.” Haxus said. “Don’t get me wrong, the Altean flight suit was comfortable, but this just feels right.”

“Hmm?” Pidge lifted her head at an alarm blaring. “What’s that? Is something wrong?”

“Oh no.” Ulaz checked the data, bringing up security footage collected from outside of the pocket. “We’ve somehow been tracked!”

Chapter Text

“We’ve somehow been tracked!” Ulaz announced.

“Oh man.” Hunk looked at the security feed, seeing a large, robotic monster that looked to have a face taking up most of its body. “It’s one of those robot monster beast things. A robeast!”

“Vex.” Haxus hissed. He looked to his fellow Blade. “We need to get the generator out of here.”

“But what if it doesn’t know we’re here?” Hunk asked, raising his hand sheepishly. He spoke too soon as the robeast took to opening its mouth, drawing in several chunks of unstable nitrate salts. Using the energy from that, it launched an attack, narrowly missing the castle and base. “Nope. It knows we’re here.”

“You guys get back to the castle.” Haxus ordered. “Try to buy us time so we can get the generator ready and out of here.”

“Copy that!” Pidge called, running off in one direction. Not knowing the base, she went in the wrong direction, though Regris had her back and redirected her. They got to the green lion, quickly returning to the castle.

“I’ll go up to the bridge, see if I can help with defenses there!” Chip called as he ran out of the lion once in the hanger.

“This is bad timing!” Hunk cried out, running out and heading for his own hanger.

Once everyone got to their designated points, the lions launched, quickly forming Voltron while the pocket was still active.

“Okay, any ideas on how that thing found us?” Keith asked.

“Okay, don’t get upset for this, but Ulaz wouldn’t sell us out, would he?” Allura inquired. It was less about distrusting him and more about covering all possibilities.

“No, he wouldn’t.” Keith assured, not at all offended. “He wouldn’t even sell us out to save his own mate, which is really something.”

“Okay, uh, what about Shiro’s arm?” Hunk suggested. “Maybe it’s gotta tracker on it? Or that scary space witch did something while we were at Zarkon’s ship?”

“It’s something to look into.” Chip stated.

“Until then? We’ve got a robeast to deal with.” Pidge reminded.

“After Haxus and Ulaz get that generator ready to go, wouldn’t it be easier to just use a wormhole to get the quiznak out of here?” Hunk offered a seemingly good option.

“That’s a negative.” Coran stated. “We wouldn’t be able to go through and close it fast enough before it would follow us.”

“Okay, so our final option. Fight it? Joy.” Lance sighed. “How hard could this be?” The robeast drew in more clusters, managing to not explode them on itself before it shot another attack, hitting the castle as they got the barrier up. “Okay. It’s gonna be one of those fights…”

“Huh?” Pidge perked up as she saw a shift in Green’s vision. “What just happened? What was that?”

“The generator’s been shut down, probably for transport.” Regris reported.

“Then let’s get to work and stop this robeast.” Shiro stated. With no way to avoid fighting and no ideas yet how to destroy it, they went with the usual of drawing their sword and bringing out the shield. Fighting the robeast proved to be a harder task than the other previous robeasts, not that they had much for examples. It seemed almost indestructible from the outside and getting too close provided the risk of it trying to suck them in; it had already attempted with the castle as it fired off shots, too, but the paladins were able to stop it.

“Why do these monsters keep getting tougher and tougher?” Hunk asked. “I thought Voltron was supposed to be the strongest thing out here!”

“Yeah? Try telling that to these guys!” Lance responded.

“Well, it has been a thousand years, so things have clearly changed.” Pidge reminded. She then grunted when they were nearly pulled in, Voltron managing to brace themselves against the mouth of the robeast.

“Great, now this thing wants to eat us like a five course meal!” Hunk whined.

“Guys, I’d hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those clusters are coming at us.” Keith reported.

“Pidge!” Shiro shouted over the comms. “Block the tractor beam with the shield. Keith, Lance, Hunk, thrusters on full!”

“Copy that!” Everyone did their part. Once they pulled enough away from the robeast, Pidge put the shield in its mouth, blocking it. The clusters already sent on the path towards it from the tractor beam smacked into the robeast and shield, Voltron getting out of the way in time.

“The shield won’t hold for long against those clusters.” Pidge reminded the others.

“And outside attacks won’t work on this thing…” Shiro muttered. Before they could even get the next strike, not that it would do them much good, the shield lost power and went apart, returning to Voltron’s back. “Anyone got any ideas then?”

“Okay, outside doesn’t work.” Lance pointed out, stating the obvious. “But what about shooting inside its mouth?”

“In what reality would that work?” Keith questioned. “Even if it did, you saw those xanthorium clusters; they did nothing and just became ammunition to use against us.”

“Speaking of that!” Hunk cried out, giving the others enough warning to dodge yet another attack.

“Well, I don’t know, some bad guys in video games need that sort of thing.” Lance stated. “And we’re dealing with alien stuff, maybe video game logic can apply.”

“That’s…” Keith wanted to call it stupid and illogical, but he had to admit, it did make sense. “Okay, it makes a little sense. But what kind of attack would work?”

“Oh!” Pidge perked up.

“Huh?” Regris looked down at the green paladin. “What is it?”

“Haxus, Ulaz, do you copy?”

“Pidge? What’s up?” Shiro asked, but like Regris, he was ignored.

“We hear you loud and clear.” Haxus responded.

“I’ve got an idea and hopefully it’ll work.” Pidge responded. “We’ll most likely lose the generator, it probably being destroyed, but this thing is indestructible from the outside. However, what if we send in the generator and activate it remotely inside of it? Do you think it’s possible to do? It may manipulate the space around it and take down the robeast from the inside.”

The two Blade members were hushed for a moment, soft voices indicating they were talking to each other about the idea. It was Ulaz who then spoke up. “It is possible; if anything, it’ll at least be destroyed and kept from Zarkon.” he said. “But we need a few doboshes to rig up the remote activation.”

“We should be able to do that much.” Shiro confirmed. “Okay, team, evasive maneuvers. Let’s keep this guy occupied.”

Voltron moved around the area, weaving in and out of areas with the clusters, making sure to avoid running into those and from getting caught in the robeast’s tractor beam. With the focus on them, the castle was able to provide cover with their particle barrier, ensuring that the base and generator wouldn’t be noticed or targeted.

“Paladins, we’re in the castle and we have the generator on a transport pod, ready to send in.” Haxus reported. “We need you to get it to suck it in.”

“On it.” Shiro confirmed, moving past the ship left near some clusters. Taking the bait, the robeast sucked it in, the ship thankfully not getting hit by any of the clusters. It then snapped its mouth shut.

Then there was nothing for a short moment.

“Um… for the visually impaired, what’s going on?” Pidge asked. “I can’t tell if anything important is happ-” She stopped herself as she aw through Green’s eyes, watching as the shape of the robeast started to shrink.

“Hell yeah!” Lance cheered. “It’s collapsing in on itself!”

“Yes!” Hunk cheered. “Bye-bye, Mr. Gulpy!”

“Wonderful work, team!” Allura praised. “Time to return to the castle so we can get out of here.”

Once they were inside and got a wormhole out of the area, Ulaz took to checking Shiro, investigating his health, vitals, biology, and arm. As he checked on him for any sign that they were being tracked through the black paladin, Allura approached.

“I’m sorry about the loss of the generator and your base.” the princess spoke up.

Ulaz shook his head, not at all bothered by it. “It was for the best.” he informed. “It is better to destroy a base yourself than to let it fall into the wrong hands. And we were able to get the report out in time, too.” He then sat back. “And I’m not finding anything in Shiro to indicate they tracked you through him.”

“And we’re not finding anything in the castle either.” Chip spoke up from the green paladin’s station. “I’ll keep running scans, though, just in case.”

“Thank you.” Allura nodded. “But now what do we do?”

“Well, I should get in touch with a base, inform them of this situation and get my next assignment.” Ulaz responded.

Allura nodded at first until Keith’s sneeze got her attention. She looked over, seeing the red paladin fluffed up from the sneeze and Hunk, Lance, and even Regris laughing about the situation. Sure, they felt for their friend and teammate being sick, but they were also amused at his fur fluffing up. She then looked back to Ulaz. “If possible, perhaps you can request staying here in the castle?” she suggested. “We are, after all, on the same side. Plus, you could provide help with your medical knowledge.”

Ulaz stared for a moment, actually stunned by the offer. He then nodded. “I will make the suggestion.”

Pidge perked up from her spot, sitting on the arm of the chair Chip sat in. “Ulaz is staying?” she asked. “Does that mean I get another training partner?”

Ulaz felt his ears twitch. He would refuse to admit it, but he was slightly nervous about that offer; it was less about the paladin being blind, which still bothered him, and more about her hitting him where it counted again. That hurt the last time and he did not want to face it again, especially since she hit hard for someone as small as she was. “As long as you don’t aim there again.” he stated. “Especially with the added electricity.”

“I make no promises.” Pidge hummed, making the others chuckle in amusement.