NOTE: The following takes place shortly after the events of Voltron Season 6. While it is meant to replace the final season of the show, neither Seasons 7 or 8 are considered part of this canon. Enjoy.

Episode One - The Dark Paladins

Out in the deep stretches of space, in the infinite hollow blackness, a light begins to shine. It is not a soft, pleasant light, but an aggressive violet one, that would hurt the eyes if looked upon too long. The light spreads out, and forms into a glyph shape. The glyph grows further, all the while the original core light burns brightly in the center. The glyph's size finally reaches its apex and the light blazes its very brightest.

Then, in an instant, the light and the glyph vanishes. In its place is the robotic form of Voltron. But this is not the Voltron we know. This Voltron is dark in color, with purple lines of light tracing up and down its body and limbs.

Inside the cockpit of the Black Lion, Emperor Zarkon sits at the controls.

"All Paladins check in. " He says in his throaty, menacing voice.

"Honerva checking in." The Empress reports uneasily from the Green Lion.

"Lotor...checking in." The Prince pants out from the Red Lion. He is covered in sweat and looks the worse for wear.

"S-Sendak checking in." The Commander stutters from the Yellow Lion.

"...Raimon checking in." The maroon armored paladin of the Blue Lion replies stoically.

Zarkon gives a slight nod at the complete check in. "Honerva, report."

"The jump between dimensions was successful." Honerva replies. "...barely." She adds the last, with a wince.

"The fleet?" Zarkon asks.

"The rift is closed. They'll be dead in moments, if they aren't already."

"Hm." Zarkon takes his hands off the controls to interlace his fingers.

"So we are in a new reality with no army, no information, and no resources." Prince Lotor sums up, looking none the too pleased with the situation.

"We have Voltron." Zarkon says harshly. "That is enough. It is always enough boy."

"...yes my lord." Lotor says after a moment, gripping his controls tightly.

"Sendak, get me communications."

"I begun scanning the moment we exited the portal, my lord. It seems that the Galra Empire, in some form exists in this reality. The codes are different, but those are our signals. I'll have them cracked in under a varga."

"See that you do commander. We have a brand new universe to conquer. We'll start by taking over whatever flawed version of the Empire this reality holds. I am going to split up the lions for now. Lotor, Raimon, I want the two of you to search nearby planets. Find us a suitable place to rest for the time being. After that...we shall find out if this universe also holds its own Voltron. "

Voltron blasts onto the scene of a battle between Galra forces and the Voltron Coalition. The Galra outnumber the Coalition greatly. Voltron moves in between the two, activating shield and blocking the Galra line of fire.

"Attention Galra forces! This is Keith of the paladins of Voltron. Lay down your weapons and surrender, or we will use force."

There is a brief lull in the firing, but almost as suddenly the firing kicks back up and redoubles, only now focused solely at Voltron.

"I'm gonna go ahead and guess that's a no." Lance jokes.

Keith only sighs.

"Just our luck getting caught up in a battle on our way back to earth." Hunk says.

"You'd figure eventually they'd give up soon as we arrive." Pidge says.

"The Galra are nothing if not stubborn." Allura puts in.

"Then we better show them we mean business. Form sword!" Keith orders.

Voltron tears out the sword. The Paladins slam their throttles forward, and Voltron rockets towards the nearest Galra cruiser. With a flash of light the cruiser splits in two, then explodes. Voltron races towards the next cruiser.

Inside the command ship of the Galra, alarms chime all over the bridge. Commander Skreil, a short, stocky Galra watches with displeasure as Voltron tears through another cruiser.

"Commander we've lost another ship!" An officer calls out.

"That's one more commander!"

"Curse you Voltron…" Skreil grumbles.

"There is a way to stop it." A voice says.

Commander Skriel turns as a Druid walks out from the shadows.

"The Crusher. It could defeat them."

Skriel scratches his chin thoughtfully. "And you're sure it'll work?"

"Of course…" The Druid replies.

"Very well," Skriel nods. "Two can play at this game! Lieutenant! Tell our two sister ships to get into formation, and have the rest cover us."

"Done commander!"

"Excellent! Now engage!"

Outside, the Paladins watch as three of the Galra ships move close together, and panels on the sides begin to light up.

"What are they up to now!?" Lance exclaimes.

"Guys! I'm detecting some strong quintessence readings coming from those three ships!" Pidge reports

Suddenly the three ships link together, and begin to transform. The bodies of the ships break into smaller pieces and begin to reconfigures. It forms into a massive, vaguely-humanoid robotic being. Then it reaches to its back and pulls out a long purple-energy bladed axe.

"Hey combining a bunch of ships into a robot is our thing!" Lance says, sounding offended.

"How do you like my PALADIN CRUSHER, Voltron!? Hahaha!" Skriel cackles over the communicator.

"He seems pleasant." Pidge says sarcastically.

"Uh...guy that thing's pretty big." Hunk points out.

It is indeed, over twice as large as voltron.

"It may be big but we've fought worse guys than this!" says Keith. "Let's keep him on the defensive guys!"

"Right!" The other Paladins chime in unison.

Voltron blasts towards the Paladin Crusher, sword outstretched in front.

"Ohoho! Attacking already!? How do you like...this!?" Skriel shouts out as the Crusher swings its massive axe. As it does, a blade of energy shoots out in an expanding arc towards Voltron.

"Thrusters!" Keither orders, and Voltron boosts to the side, just barely missing the energy blade.

"Oh no! It missed!" Skriel shouts as Voltron closes in, sword bared. "Just kidding!"

A pair of energy beams fire out from the Paladin Crusher's eyes, and collide with Voltron's chest.

The Paladins all cry out in alarm as Voltron is blasted back. The Crusher pulls back for another swung of its axe.

"Shield!" Keith shouts.

The wings slam together into shield form a moment before the energy blade hits. Voltron is shoved backwards by the blow, but otherwise unharmed.

"HAHAHA! You thought we only had one trick up our sleeves! This robot is the weapon that will finally destroy you, Paladins of Voltron! And more importantly, make me the new Emperor of the Galra! It's laughable that-"

"Quick, while he's still monologuing! Pidge, you get an analysis on that things fighting patterns?" Keith cuts in.

"Algorithms still gathering data, but so far it seems to want to keep us at a distance. As much quintessence as that thing has, it can't have a limitless supply so it's gotta make cuts somewhere. My guess is it doesn't have much in the ways of shields or armor."

"Keep us moving then, legs. Hunk? Give us the shoulder cannon."

"You got it Keith!" Hunk slams his bayard into his lion's port.

The cannon appears on Voltron's shoulder, while at the same moment, its boosters erupt. Voltron zips around in a complex pattern, while at the same time it blasts its shoulder cannon directly at the Crusher.

The Paladin Crusher swings its axe and fires eyebeams, multiple times, but none of the energy attacks come even close to hitting. As soon as Voltron's cannon fires, it boosts out of the way before it can be hit.

Inside the Crusher, the interior is shuddering with each blast of Voltron's cannon.

"Ah! Why isn't this working!?"

"The armor on this machine is...less than ideal." The Druid admits.

"What!? What do you mean!?"

"If they keep this up, they'll whittle us down bit by bit."

"Quiznack! Well forget that, let's bring the fight to them. After that Voltron!"

The Paladin crusher boosts forward, chasing after Voltron. The Crusher starts to gain on Voltron, and swings its axe, in a bullrush to try and cleave the other robot in half.

"Pidge! Arm Cannon!"

She slams her bayard in and the cannon appears on Voltron's arm. One blast behind it's back, and the Crusher is shoved backwards. Voltron takes the moment to whirl back around, and swung the sword at the Crusher's body. The Crusher blocks the blow along the haft of its axe. The two struggle there for a moment, neither giving an inch.

"More power to thrusters!" Skriel orders.

"But sir we only have so much quint-"

"MORE POWER!" Skriel bellows.

The officer throws a lever, and outside, the Paladin Crusher glows brightly with quintessence. Voltron begins to be shoved backwards, and the axe crackles closer to the head.

"No…You..." Keith says straining. "...Don't!"

Keith rams his Bayard into the port on his lion. The wing boosters appear on Voltron's back, and erupt into a flash of light. The Paladin Crusher is thrown backwards under the force, and smashes into a Galra cruiser behind it, which explodes.

"Status report!" Skriel demands.

"We've taken damage!" One officer reports. "Outer armor layers are cracked!"

"Quintessence supply low!" Another shouts.

Skriel scans the display. "Where's Voltron?"

He is met with only the ambiance of battle.

"Get me a visual on Voltron!"··µ·

"Wait...I'm getting a reading on our port s-"

Suddenly, a blur moves past the Crusher, and it's side is sliced by something, shaking the interior. The blur moves back around and slices the Crusher again on it's other side.

"Critical damage sir!" An officer yells.

"What on Diabazal is happening!?" Skriel shouts.

The monitors finally adjust to the speed of the blur. It is revealed to be Voltron, moving blindingly fast via is boosted wings.

"Oh...quiznack."

Voltron, moving almost too fast to be seen, zips back and forth, slicing open the Paladin Crusher's armor with every pass.

Skriel spins around to shout at the Druid. "I thought you said this thing could beat Voltron!"

"Uh…" The Druid vanishes in a cloud of energy.

Commander Skriel stares for several moments. Then he starts running. "To the escape pods!" He cries.

Outside Voltron swings the sword one final time, and the Paladin Crush splits in two. Then Explodes. Purple energy lights up the battlefield, and all is still for a moment.

"I'm getting an emergency signal!" Pidge reports, then blinks in surprise. "They're...surrendering."

"Alright!" Lance exclaimes. "Another win for team Voltron!"

Keith nods slowly. "Good job team. Let's regroup with the Coalition. After that…"

"Home." Hunk says with reverence.

The rest of the paladins silently agreed.

Shiro waits in the hangar bay, alongside Matt Holt.

"Finally going back to earth…" Matt says, as if not really believing it.

"It's been a while hasn't it?" Shiro replies.

"Hey you got back there a year or so ago didn't you?"

"Only for a bit." Shiro shrugs."Didn't really get a chance to stick around or say hi to old friends."

"Well hey, there should be plenty of time for that soon."

"With our luck? We'll be neck deep in Galra before the day is out."

Both laugh at that. They watch as the five Lions of Voltron fly inside the hangar, and set down a dozen feet or so away. The Lions begin to open up, one by one, and the Paladins walk out. They are met by cheers from other members of the coalition in the hangar, and are quickly mobbed. After slipping through through the crowds, they finally make their way to Shiro and Matt.

"That was some good work out there." Shiro commended.

"We did as well as-" Keith starts to say.

"Heck yeah we did!" Lance declares. "Can't stop the Voltron! I say Vol you say:" He points at the crowd behind them.

A cacophony of "TRON!" erupts in the hangar.

"Vol-"

"-TRON!"

Lance smiles self-satisfiedly as the cheer continues without his prompt. Pidge rolls her eyes, but the others only chuckle. Even Keith smirks slightly.

"Really, I am proud of you all." Shiro continues. "You've earned this trip back to Earth."

There is a series of uncertain smiles.

"Wonder what everyone's been up to while we're gone." Lance ponders.

"Hope they haven't worried too much…" Hunk says wistfully.

"I bet...Mom's missed us." Pidge says after a moment. She and Matt both look distant for a moment.

"Man...she's probably gonna ground you for the rest of your life." Matt finally says.

Pidge laughs for a moment, then frowns. "You don't...you don't think she'd actually…"

"Oh yeah I do." Matt said nodding emphatically.

"Uh oh…" She suddenly looks worried.

"Ah Pidge, come on, it's not like she can actually ground a Paladin of Voltron." Lance says.

Matt and Pidge both stare at him.

"You haven't met mom." They say in unison.

"But remember guys, this isn't just a family visit." Keith says. "We're also going to convince the Galaxy Garrison to join the cause against the Galra, and help us rebuild the Castle of Lions."

Lance sighs. "Typical Keith, bringing us all down."

"I wasn't…I'm not...ugh. Just...try to remember that we have more than one priority when we get there."

"We get it Keith. Loud and clear." Hunk says. "I just hope they got food there. I dunno about you guys, but after all this traveling and fighting, I've worked up quite an appetite."

"I'm sure they'll have food Hunk." Shiro says with a smirk. "But Keith is right. After everyone's done greeting, we are going to have to meet with the Garrison brass. For now, why don't you all go relax. We'll be making our approach in another couple hours."

There is a clamor of agreement, and Lance, Hunk, Pidge and Matt all head off. Shiro, Keith and Allura are left in awkward silence.

"Well I should go...see how Coran and Romelle are doing." Allura says. "He's been working with her to try and figure out how best to approach the Altean colony once we are able to travel there. I'll...see you when we land."

Then she leaves as well. Keith watchs her go, and stares off into space after she is out of sight.

"You doing alright?"

"Fine." He says a little too quickly.

Shiro raises and eyebrow. Keith sighs.

"Well...I'm leader of Voltron...again."

"And?"

"And if you remember, it didn't turn out so well last time."

"Things are different now."

"Are they? I only took the position to stop you when you were being mind controlled. I'm still not a hundred percent sure I've got what it takes to lead them."

"Well," Shiro shrugs. " At the end of the day that's up to you. You get out of the team what you put in. Do your best to lead them, be there for them when they need you, and you'll succeed."

"I'll...try. Thanks Shiro." Keith nods appreciatively.

"Anytime."

"Really though, I should be the one asking you how you're doing. Having your soul torn out and put into a clone body must be...weird."

"It's...something I'm getting used to." Shiro admitted. "I do miss the robot arm."

"Maybe Sam can make you a new one."

"Maybe. For now, you should just worry about getting some rest. Something tells me we're in for a long reception once we land."

The five Lions of Voltron fly alongside the Coalition group of ships, racing towards a nearby star system. As they fly faster, planets become visible. They draw closer to the third one from the sun.

"Heads up, we got ships approaching." Pidge says.

Sure enough, a handful of space fighters fly out towards the group.

"This is Keith of the Paladins of Voltron." Keith said over his communicator. "Along with a company of Coalition of Voltron ships. Requesting Galaxy Garrison permission to land on earth."

"-Did you say Voltron?" A voice crackles over the communicator.

"That's right." Keith confirms.

"Ah hell, I gotta call this in." The line is silence for several long moments. "...alright. The...Lions, and one small ship are cleared for landing. The rest of you are gonna have to wait out here, well away from Earth for now. We'll escort you in."

"Understood." Keith switches the line. "Shiro? Get you Matt, and whoever else wants to land in a transport. We're going in."

The Lions fly in, along with the transport ship, flanked on all sides by fighters. The lions and ships descend towards a massive Garrison base landing pad. There is a small crowd of Garrison personnel in uniforms along with civilians in normal clothes. The lions and ships land, and a moment later, all exit.

The Paladins, with Shiro, and a small group from the Coalition approach the crowd.

"Mom!" Pidge breaks from the group, to sprint towards the woman standing next to her father. Matt is running at her heels.

"Katie! Matt! Oh thank God!" her mother cried out.

Pidge practically tackles the woman, and Matt isn't much more graceful. The three of them grip each other in a death-grip of an embrace.

"Uncle Lance!" A pair of kids cry as the break from the crowd. Lance's eyes water as he dashes to embrace them, he is soon enveloped in other relatives.

Hunk walks over to hug his hims family, a tad more reserved than the others, by no less heartwarming. Commander Iverson, along with a group of Garrison personnel walks over to meet the remainders.

"Lieutenant Shirogane. It's been a while." The man extends his hand to Shiro.

"Too long, Commander Iverson." Shiro replies, shaking the man's hand.

"Gotta say, never thought you'd come back to earth with five...uh...space lions. I hear they turn into a giant robot?"

"I see Sam's informed you all. And yes, they do turn into a robot."

"Sounds...exciting. We'll have to debrief you all of course."

"I can help you with that as much as i can for now. As for the rest of the team, I think they need some time."

"Understandable. Your team can take all the time they need."

"Thanks. Oh and they're not technically 'my team' anymore. Keith here is the leader of Voltron now."

"Commander." Keith nods.

Iverson looks at Keith as if seeing him for the first time. "Well I'll be. Sam said you were on the team but...well I guess I was wrong about you cadet."

Keith shakes his head. "I wasn't...the best cadet either. It's water under the bridge." He offers a hand that Iverson shakes.

"I'll be seeing you all shortly." with that Iverson and Shiro head inside the base. Keith is left alone, with the exception of Cosmo. He scratched the dog's ear thoughtfully. Coran and the Coalition forces are off to the side conversing with some of the garrison personnel. After scanning the area, Keith notices another lone person. Allura, hanging back by her lion, not really looking at anyone.

Keith hesitates a moment,. "Be there for your team." He says to himself, while scratching Cosmo. "Stay." He says, then starts to walk over. Allura looks up as he approaches and smiles.

"Don't you have family to be celebrating with?" She says.

"Not really. Krolia...my mom, is with the blades right now. There...isn't really anyone back here for me to see."

"I understand." Allura looks down.

The conversation falls dead. Keith scratches the back of his neck uncomfortably. "Allura?"

"Yes?" she looks up.

"Are you uh...are you doing alright?"

"I'm...fine." She says carefully.

"Okay. You just...well never mind. As your leader...you can talk to me. If you need to or whatever."

"Thank you Keith. I'll keep that in mind."

After another few moments of silence, he walks back to where Cosmo still sits.

"Man, I suck at this." he sighs.

The cosmic wolf barks, as if in agreement.

"Can we get this over with, so we can go back to being with our families?" Pidge complains. All of the Paladins and Coalition leaders are seated in a boardroom opposite a panel of Garrison high command. There is one empty seat on the Garrison side.

"Pidge." Keith says warningly.

"I'm with her." Lance pips in. "I don't see why we gotta wait for this 'Admiral' person."

"The delay was...unexpected. As was your sudden appearance." An aged Commander named Sablan explained.

"Didn't Mr. Holt get you ready for us? Dunno just seems like something you had plenty of time for." Hunk points out.

"I tried to get them prepared." Sam Holt says from the Garrison side of the table. "But telling people five robotic lions with a coalition of aliens are coming to visit is one thing, having them actually show up is another."

Suddenly, the door to the room slides open. A stern-looking older woman steps in.

"Admiral Sanda." Iverson says, standing up to salute the woman. The rest of the Garrison commanders do the same.

"At ease." She says, talking over to take a seat herself. "Apologies for the delay. The leaders of the world had much to say regarding how to treat this meeting with 'The Voltron Coalition.'" She scanned the people seated opposite her. "Who can I consider the leader here?"

All eyes turn to Shiro. He in turn, looks to Keith.

"You better take this one, leader of Voltron aside, I dunno if you wanna trust me talking to these guys." Keith whispers to him.

Shiro nods understandingly.

"Lieutenant Takashi Shirogane, reporting for duty, ma'am. I'll be speaking for this group for the time being."

"Understood Lieutenant." Sanda says. "Now, would you care to explain what this is all about? I've heard the story from Commander Holt a number of times, but I'd like to hear things from your perspective."

"Very well." Shiro nods. "Last year myself along with Keith, Lance, Pidge and Hunk recovered five robotic lions, which when bonded together become the powerful robot known as Voltron. Together we fought against The Emperor Zarkon who had at the time, taken over much of the know universe. After many hard-fought battles we defeated him, but in doing so, left a power vacuum in the Galra Empire. To combat the fracturing Galra Empire we helped form the Coalition you see before you. We were one-time allies with Zarkon's son Prince Lotor, who tried to fill that vacuum, but when he proved himself an enemy, Voltron was forced to defeat him as well. I should note that I am no longer officially a part of Voltron. My position was taken over by Keith here."

Sanda eyes Keith briefly, before turning her gaze back to Shiro. "Very well, I think I understand the situation. Now I have a question for you Lieutenant Shirogane: What do you want from us?"

"Ideally? Unrestricted support to the Voltron Coalition. That means Earth forces fighting alongside the Coalition to finally put down the Galra Empire before it has a chance to get back on its feet."

Sanda nodded as if understanding. "Absolutely not."

"What!?" is the collective reaction from most of the seats on the Coalition side of the table. Shiro, however, does not look surprised.

"The people of Earth simply cannot justify getting caught in an interstellar war, that we so far, have been able to avoid getting involved in."

"With respect Admiral," Shiro says, "it's only a matter of time before one of the Galra warlords finds Earth and decides it might make a nice mining colony."

"And should such a thing occur, we will respond accordingly."

"Why am I not surprised?" Matt says, putting his feet up on the table.

"Officer Matthew Holt." Sanda says. "No longer MIA I see. If I'm not mistake you are still technically a member of the Galaxy Garrison."

"Consider me retired. I'm full time Coalition now. And you guys should be too."

"We are not going to prematurely involve ourselves in a senseless conflict." Sanda says firmly.

"Senseless!?" Keith says, speaking aloud for the first time. "There are millions of planets out there that need our help! Every one of them that joins the Coalition makes us that much stronger to be able to push back the Galra warlords. Are you really just going to sit there and ignore all those people because you're scared of fighting!?"

Sanda narrows her eyes at Keith.

"I think," Shiro cuts in,"what Keith is trying to say, is that this relationship would be mutually beneficial."

"Indeed." Ryner says. "We offer not just military assistance, but technology as well. Technology that has innumerable uses, not the least of which is for defence against the Galra."

"Yes we've seen some of this 'alien' technology." Sanda says turning to Sam Holt.

"We've used everything I learned out in space, along with with what we could reproduce from my ship to further enhance the Garrison's technology. We've even begun work on a prototype mech know at the Atlas-"

"None of which are to be used in this conflict with the Galra Empire." Sanda interrupts. "As enticing as more of that tech is, it has been decided by men far above my own head, that the risks do not outweigh the reward."

"Then what are we even doing here?" Lance asks.

All eyes turn to him.

"What? We were all thinking it…"

"The Castle of Lions." Allura suggests.

"Right." Shiro nods. "If you will not provide military assistance, that is understood. But we left Sam Holt with plans for a ship known as the Castle of Lions. We'd like the use of Garrison resources to rebuilt it, in exchange for the earlier mentioned technology."

"You want us to help rebuild your...ship?"

"The Castle of Lions is a lot more than just a ship!" Coran pipes up. "It functions as the space faring home of the Lions of Voltron, and gives them support in battle."

"It's essentially a mobile HQ for Voltron and the Coalition. It has innumerable uses. Unfortunately it was recently destroyed, but hopefully, making use of it's plans and the best of all our tech, we can make a new one just as good."

"You'd be hard pressed to do that." Coran says. "My grandfather really knew what he was doing when he built the thing. That being said, under my careful guidance, it may be possible." he says, twisting his mustache thoughtfully.

"That may be within our limits. So long as it is not tied back to Earth. But we'll need a bit more than simple tech upgrades. We need a...Sam, what did you call it?"

"A balmeran Crystal." Sam says. "The Atlas wont work without one."

"We'll need to get one to rebuild the Castle anyway." Hunk points out.

"Those terms seem fair enough."

"Very well then. The Galaxy Garrison will assist in the construction of this 'Castle of Lions' in exchange for the crystal. But no direct military involvement is to be supplied in any capacity. Understood?"

There is a chorus of underwhelmed "understood."

"Good. Meeting adjourned."

"I can't believe they could be so heartless." Keith hisses. They all are walking back outside the Garrison base, where their lions sit.

"Buncha jerks." Lance agrees.

"They're only trying to protect themselves." Shiro says. "It's understandable considering the circumstances."

"How about the circumstances of all the planets still under Galra rule?" Keith shoots back.

"I'm not disagreeing with you Keith, just saying that it may take time to get them to come around."

"Well they can take all the time they want." Hunk says. "I don't know about you guys, but my family told me they were gonna cook a big old feast to celebrate me coming home."

"We should probably get going too." Pidge says.

"Yeah, I was totally right. Mom grounded Katie 'until further notice.'" Matt says with a smirk.

"Don't remind me..." Pidge says adjusting her glasses uncomfortably.

"I'm taking off too." Lance says. "I've got a lot of catching up to do with everyone."

The three walk off, to greet their respective families.

"Coran and I also have duties." Allura says, nodding to Shiro, then Keith. She and Coran make their exit as well.

"I'm going to talk with the other coalition leaders to see if we can figure out what to do next. You going to want to be there?" Shiro asks Keith.

"No thanks. Think I want to be alone for a bit."

Shiro nods and the other coalition leaders return to the ship. Keith walks over to the black lion, and finds Acxa standing next to it, petting Cosmo.

"Didn't realize you came here too." Keith says.

"Thought I'd tag along, see how it all went." She replies. "Judging from your expression it didn't go well."

"Not exactly." Keith says gruffly. "They won't offer any military support."

"Pointless." Acxa shrugs.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this whole Voltron Coalition, recruiting planets for the cause, it's a waste of time. That isn't how you'll stop the Galra Empire."

"We're making progress." Keith says.

"Some." She admits. "And maybe, if everything keeps going well, you'll eventually be able hunt down and stop every one of the dozens of Galra warlords scattered across the universe. But it'll take decades. Maybe even lifetimes. All the while innocent worlds will continue to suffer."

"You got a better idea?"

She nods"The Galra understand one thing: strength. You want to stop them? Give them a strong leader. A new Emperor to stop the infighting, and reclaim the Empire"

Keith scoffs. "We tried that with Lotor. Didn't go so well."

"Lotor was too ambitious for his own good. I'm talking about someone that would have all your best interests at heart."

"Is this the part where you say it should be you?" He says, skeptically.

"Hardly. I'm talking about you."

Keith looks shocked.

"...me? The Galra Emperor? That's a pretty lousy joke…"

"It's not a joke Keith. You're strong willed, and a good fighter. Even more importantly, you command Voltron. You have power. The Galra will respect that, if you push for the throne."

"I'm not going to become the Galra Emperor." Keith says firmly. "I don't know the first thing about politics."

"Galra politics are simple. The guy that hits the hardest is in charge."

Still Keith shakes his head. "It's not going to happen."

"Suit yourself." She shrugs. "But there is a power vacuum in the Empire right now. If you don't fill it, someone else will."

With that, Acxa gives Cosmo one final scratch then walks back towards the ship. Keith is left staring at the ground. He looks up at the Black Lion.

"Emperor of the Galra." he shakes his head. "Yeah right."

Emperor Zarkon sits in the Black Lion, eyes closed.

"Father? We have a report" Lotor says over the communicator.

Zarkon opens his glowing eyes. "Go on."

"No luck with the surrounding planets. All are completely desolate. However, we may have found something better."

"Explain."

"Sendak and I have been going over the Galra communications since he cracked them. We have a lot of information here but a few key pieces seem especially important."

"I'm listening."

"First of all it seems this reality's versions of both you and I are...well dead."

Zarkon's eyes narrow. "...how?"

"Unclear. Lot of conflicting information, you understand. It seems however, that your alter was defeated some time ago by Voltron. My alter fell to the same fate just recently."

"I was not in control of Voltron?"

"It appears not. A few beings from some far off primitive planet, are piloting the Lions now."

"So the version of myself here was so weak we could not reclaim the lions all those years ago? Pitiful. I hope you have better news than that."

"I do. Our deaths left a power struggle that the Galra haven't recovered from yet. It seems the Empire is ripe for the taking."

"Good. At least the Paladins of Voltron here are too incompetent to take it for themselves."

"There is...one other thing. While Sendak was going over the different signals, he noticed on that was hidden behind the others. A subtramission. He couldn't crack it, but as soon as he showed it to me I recognized the pattern. It was almost identical to a transmission protocol I used for my agents back...in the old reality."

Zarkon's eyes narrow again. "I'm going to ignore for a moment that you had a transmission network I wasn't aware of. Whatever you found had better outweigh that misstep."

"I think it does. The network is a series of communications between what I must assume was myself and someplace within this reality's Quantum Abyss. After a little digging, I found a digital pathway, that should take us safely through to whatever is inside."

"What are you expecting to find?"

"Most likely? Resources. A hidden base, perhaps. Maybe even something more valuable. Either way, seems like the ideal location for a new HQ."

"Very well. We shall travel to this place and set up base. Once completed, we take back the Empire."

"Vrepit Sa." Lotor says.

"Vrepit Sa." Zarkon replies, closing his eyes again.