#ion head canon charged

[touchstarvedasclones]

Commander Wolffe Headcanon

Wolffe has been banned from what the clones dubbed 'the infantry' (baby and toddler section of Kamino clone facility).

And not for the reason you think.

The reason in his file says 'inhibited cadet progress and development'.

The truth was that he would baby them.

The Kaminoans wanted soldiers, but Wolffe took one look at his baby brothers and saw what they really were, children. Kids barely a full year old, just learning to walk and talk.

And even as a cadet himself, he wanted to care for them.

Wolffe was banned from interacting with the youngest cadets because he was too nurturing, which the Kaminoans saw as a hamper on both his development into a capable commander, and the mindset of those he interacted with.

He also would stand between them and any clones they deemed 'defective' before the Jedi showed up. The only reason he wasn't dealt with was his high marks in his training.

Wolves are fiercely protective, loyal to a fault, but they are also nurturing to their young, and to those that stand beside and behind them.

No wonder that ended up his name.

[touchstarvedasclones]

I had to save those tags because *chef's kiss*.

Alderaan, 4.25 p.m, sometime after the war has ended

Breha: Oh, Fox is back from his trip to Kamino, let's go meet up with him at the docks!

Bail: Welcome back home, love, how was the-

Fox: Yes?

Bail & Breha:

The extremely adorable baby clone Fox is holding:

Fox: Oh, yeah. I forgot to tell you beforehand, I am so sorry. It all happened so suddenly

Breha: Oh, we don't mind, we just didn't know that they were releasing any of the cadets from Kamino yet

Fox: They aren't

Bail: ...did you ask if you could take him?

Fox: No, because they would've said no. No one will know, though, because what are they going to do? A DNA-test? I'm his dad, of course he has the same DNA as I do.

Bail:

Breha:

Baby: Bwah

Breha: What am I the Queen for if not for forging papers

[lilislegacy]

Ok guys this is somewhat of a controversial take on Jason Grace’s powers. You can tell I was nervous writing this out because I used capitalization lol. Please read till the end

I want to start by saying I love Jason Grace. He is such a cutie. I adore him. And he is a very, very powerful demigod. And he is totally capable of very evil things, just like Percy. This take concerns a certain ability that a lot of people seem to think he has, but I don’t think people realize how unrealistic is. (I mean people can still hc whatever they want, it just doesn’t mean it’s canon.) Okay, here goes

There is absolutely no evidence or reason that Jason Grace would be able to control the electricity in our bodies. And here’s why…

I know so many of you really love that idea, and justify it by using the logic that percy can control people’s bodily fluids, so since jason can control lightning, he could control neurons and action potentials. But here’s the thing: The reason percy can control bodily fluids is because bodily fluids, like saliva, blood, and tears are largely made up of water, so he can manipulate the content of those substances that is water. And water is water. H2O is H2O. Percy directly controls all water. That’s his power.

Jason, however, controls weather. Which means he controls clouds, thunder, wind, rain, and yes, lightning. But just because lightning involves electricity does not mean he controls ALL electricity. He controls rain, right? Rain is water. But jason does not control all water. Just rain. Because it’s weather. And before you completely ignore what I just said about rain, and argue “but if he can control the electricity that causes lightning, he could control the electrical signals in people’s brains and muscles,” I see where you’re coming from, but the electricity in lightning is NOT the same electricity in our bodies. Unlike water, not all electricity is the same. Water is a basic chemical compound, in all its forms. Electricity, however, is the flow of electric charge through conductive materials, which produces energy. And those materials and types of energy vary. There are different types. The two we are discussing here are static electricity and bioelectricity.

Static electricity is the accumulation of electric charge on the surface of an object. Did you ever do that experiment where you rubbed a balloon on your head and your hair stuck up? Static electricity causes lightning when there is a buildup of electrical charge in the atmosphere during a storm. When the charge difference between clouds, or between a cloud and the ground, becomes too much, it creates a sudden discharge of electricity, which we see as lightning.

Bioelectricity involves chemicals. It refers to the electrical signals and currents produced within living organisms. It works through the movement of charged particles, called ions, across cell membranes, which allows for communication between cells, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and various physiological processes.

So here’s the thing. Even if Jason could control ALL static electricity, which likely is NOT the case, it’s not even the same type as the electricity that makes neurons fire. And like I stated, Jason/Zeus has control over weather and storm elements, which may involve electricity, but does not mean he controls all electricity.

Okay besties, now before you show up in my comment section aggressively defending jason and assuming I think he’s weak, let me clarify: I am not saying Jason is not powerful as hell, or that he could not do some creepy ass evil things. He definitely could. For instance, he’s shown through his control over wind that he can manipulate air currents in various ways. MEANING he could create a vacuum effect, and suck all the air out of a person’s body. Like… HELLO? He could collapse their lungs. Deprive their brain of oxygen. He could repeatedly suck the de-oxygenated air, aka CO2, out of their lungs, and then force it back in. Which would be torture. Death by slow suffocation. So using his control of wind and air currents, Jason could be terrifying as hell if he wanted to be, and could do unspeakable things to human beings. I’m simply saying that his ability to summon lightning has absolutely zero connection to the hypothetical ability of being able to control people’s neurons. They’re not even somewhat related processes.

Please don’t yell at me. I love Jason. I think he could be very very scary and evil if he wanted to. Him as a villain would be catastrophic, and I’m not doubting that in any way.

[vendettavalor]

@olliesmultimuse said: "you could have given me a heads up." from ballister for nimona?

⚔️ Can We Talk About What Happened Prompts // ACCEPTING ⚔️

"Yeah, I could've - but where's the fun in thaaaat?" Nimona drags out the word with long, dramatic sigh before flopping back onto the couch. "It worked out in the end, didn't it? See! Not that bad then!"

Well, that was certainly one way of looking at it.

The incident in question? Oh, nothing much. Just casually turning into a giant, hulking beast made of shadows, lumbering through the city while taking shot after shot from various military-grade weapons, and then promptly jumping off a statue, turning into a giant firebird, and charging directly into a high-powered long-range ion canon. For Gloreth's sake - everyone in the kingdom thought she was DEAD.

But sure, it all worked out in the end.

"Don't be so gullible, boss. You didn't really think that one little blast from a pea-shooter like that was gonna do me in, did ya? I told you - I've been through worse." She leaned back against the couch, nodding slowly with all the casualness and candor of someone who had just finished talking about their boring day or their boring weekend plans. "Besides, you made me a deal. We clear your name, and you make me your official sidekick. No. Take-backsies."

And there was no way she was going to pass that up.

[touchstarvedasclones]

Not to mention all the training before they get to any physical fighting. You better believe that the Kaminoans used every minute of the clone's lives preparing them for only war.

They are smart. They are well beyond skilled. And anyone that underestimates them... may the Maker have mercy on their soul.

Navy Seals train for about 2 ½ years. Clone troopers train their whole lives, and say if they start physical training at 7/14 that’s 3 years.

What I’m saying is we should take the competence of any trooper and multiply it by at least five.

Even the most standard trooper is equal to any elite operative. I’m talking about Captain America and Winter Soldier rolled into one. They’re so accurate it’s terrifying. They can sprint like it’s the Olympics and barely be winded. They can and do tear droids apart with their bare hands. For fun.

ARC troopers? One man army, able to keep up with the Jedi. The Padawans all check and double check if they have the Force because they can’t even do that. When all is lost send in an ARC and they will win 1000:1 odds. The originals have to be kept in storage because the Kaminoans look at them and remember what fear feels like. They can take any weapon and find a way to level a city with it. The only limit an ARC has is numbers.

And Marshall Commanders. Legends. Death. Fox’s armor is red with blood mixed with the sand of the Geonosis and painted with a promise of vengeance. Cody’s armor is the rising sun of his victory, glorious and inevitable. If Neyo knows someones name, he also knows what they’re going to eat tommorow. They say Bacara simply can’t be killed.

Anyways. Just. Any and all the clone troopers pushing every limit.

[poorrichardslegacy]

Kacxa Week 2020 Day 6 - Battle Injury

Words

SUMMARY: Keith and Acxa’s daughters have passed their Trials of Marmora and embark on their first combat mission, against the pirates of Penzarance. The girls learn that words can cut just as deeply as any Luxite Blade, and just as importantly they learn about the power of forgiveness.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26910880

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender Rating: Teen and Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Acxa/Keith (Voltron) Characters: Acxa (Voltron), Keith (Voltron), Original Blade of Marmora Character(s) Additional Tags: Kacxa Week 2020, Family Drama, Family Issues, Family Dynamics, Family Bonding, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence

---------------

It was the call Keith hoped he would never hear.

“Dad…please…come quickly…Mom’s down!”

His heart about to explode in his chest from its rapid beating, Keith races across the battlefield to his daughter’s position.

This raid was the first combat assignment with Blade of Marmora for both of his daughters since the successful completion of their Trials of Marmora two decaphoebs earlier. Keith had high hopes for this mission. This would be the opportunity for his girls to prove their worth, that they can function as full-fledged members of the Blade of Marmora.

Unfortunately, events began to spiral out of his control even before the start of the engagement on Penzarance.

And now it seems things have gone horribly wrong.

---------------

Twelve Vargas Earlier

Against Keith’s wishes, Acxa sets the assault team rosters so that Mireya is a member of her team. As Blade Master he does not countermand her decision because he does not want Acxa’s authority undermined within the Blade of Marmora. He also knows that he will catch hell from at least one of the women in his family no matter what he does.

However, he warns her about how this move will be perceived not only by the other Blades, but by Mireya.

Mireya is anything but pleased about this turn of events. To her, this is another example of her mother hovering over her, nitpicking everything she does. This time, Mireya decides to stand up for herself. She confronts her mother in front of her father, great uncle, and sister, and starts a rather vociferous argument over the assignment. Anyone observing it would call it a blowup of galactic proportions.

“Why, Mom? Dad explicitly stated that he wanted Cataleya and I assigned to Uncle Meltok’s command. I don’t get it. Why are you doing this?”

“There is nothing to ‘get’, Mireya. I’m the tactical leader of this operation, and I have the final say on team assignments. I am not used to having my orders questioned and I will not tolerate it now. You are a Blade of Marmora going on a combat mission. You are expected to obey orders, and I expect you to obey these orders.”

Mireya, just turned 18, storms out of the briefing room but not before screaming at her mother.

“You’re suffocating me, Mom! I hate you! I HOPE YOU DIE! Maybe then I can finally breathe.”

Not happy with his daughter’s choice of words, Keith calls after her just as she slams the door to the briefing room. “Mireya you don’t mean that.”

Cataleya, just as upset with the situation as her sister, takes a deep breath before trying to calm her visibly upset mother.

“Mom, she didn’t mean that.”

Cut deeply by Mireya’s words, Acxa tries to hide the hurt from Cataleya. “I don’t know Cataleya…your sister and I have been butting heads for so long now.”

“Mom that’s because you two are so much alike in personality. Stubbornness and all. Give her some space. She’ll come around.”

Keith starts to go after Mireya, but Cataleya stops him.

“Dad, wait. Let me talk to her. No offense, she might listen to me.”

---------------

The scene is the nightmare scenario Keith feared it would be.

His wife lay in a bomb crater, bleeding from a shrapnel wound to the stomach. Her right arm and shoulder are badly lacerated. He thinks to himself that it is a good thing she is unconscious. The pain must be unbearable.

He races to her and begins treatment to stabilize her. He does his best to keep his emotions in check as he works to save the life of the woman who said she would be his until the day she died. He does not want today to be that day.

“Mireya did you call for medical backup?”

“I…uncle…coming…”

She stands there, frozen by the sight of her critically injured mother.

Meltok leaps into the crater and quickly moves to Acxa’s side, his first-aid kit already open. “Medivac is on its way, Keith. Bars is talking to them. Let me check her.”

Keith steps back as his uncle, an accomplished field medic, hurries to stabilize Acxa until medivac arrives. Cataleya joins them and stands next to her shell-shocked sister.

Struggling against the flood of his own emotions as he battles to hold it together, Keith turns to his daughters.

“Cataleya, take your sister to the rear. I’ll meet up with you two once your mother is stabilized.”

Keith looks calmly at his daughters, both now frozen by the sight of their injured mother. He speaks to them in a calm and level voice. “Go on, soldiers. I gave you an order. Move to the rear.”

Cataleya snaps out of it and manages a shaky, “Yes sir.”

Blade of Marmora Sergeant Bars joins Keith and Meltok. “Medivac is incoming. They’ll be here in two doboshes. Master Chief, how bad?”

Meltok does not pull any punches. “Bad, Bars. Really bad.”

---------------

As the medivac team moves in to prep Acxa for evacuation to the field hospital, Meltok reminds Keith of something.

“Go back with her and talk to her.”

“What?”

“Remember what she did for you after you nearly got blown to kingdom come by one of Honerva’s white mechs?1 Talk to her. Give her a reason to hang on until the docs back at the field hospital can stabilize her. Don’t worry about this operation. I’ll take command and mop these pirates up. You worry about your wife.”

---------------

Keith goes with the Acxa and the medics to the rear. After seven hours of surgery, with Keith present, she emerges, in critical but stable condition.

His aunt Miara, a first-rate doctor in her own right and in charge of the field hospital, comes in to keep a close eye on her.

“Keith, you need to talk to Mireya. She’s been inconsolable since Cataleya took her to the rear. Come to think of it, Cataleya isn’t doing much better.”

“I guess the sight of their mother…in that state…that would do it. Aunt Miara, would you send them in. They need to see that their mother is going to be ok”

---------------

The girls are ushered into the room by Miara. Mireya rushes to her mother’s bedside, takes her hand, and begins sobbing inconsolably.

“Mom…I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I don’t want you to die. Please, Mom, don’t leave.”

Cataleya sits on the other side of her mother’s bed, holding Acxa’s left hand. She remains silent, but her tears flow just as freely.

Keith goes to console Mireya, taking her in his arms and letting her get her emotions out. When she finally calms down enough to speak, he asks her what happened.

“We were pinned down. We were taking heavy ion rifle fire and we couldn’t move forward. Mom was so calm. Dad, she was amazing. She said the only way we could beat them was to distract them, flank them, so that we could get close enough to lob grenades into their position to take them out. She asked me if I could do that…I said I could. I wanted her to trust me and this was my chance. Two of us made a flanking maneuver around the right side of the pirate defensive line. We drew their fire, and Mom was able to get close enough to throw two grenades into their position.”

“One went off. The fuse on the other was defective. One of the pirates threw the grenade back into her position. It exploded before she could take cover. I saw Mom go down…and I freaked out.”

“Freaked out in what way, honey.”

“I was so mad that I charged the pirate position single handedly. I think I took out, seven, eight pirates?”

While Mireya explains what happened, Meltok joins them and, standing at the entrance to the room listens to most of her explanation. When she gets to the part where she guesses at how many pirates she took down, he clears his throat to get Keith’s attention.

“That’s not quite true, Mireya. You didn’t take out 8 pirates. It was more like 20.”

Shocked, Keith looks first at Mireya, then at Meltok. “She did what?”

“You would have been proud of her, Keith. She took out twelve with her blaster pistol. Twelve shots, twelve kills. The last eight she took down with her Blade. Watching her with the pistol, she reminded me of her mother; watching her with her Blade, she reminded me of her father.”

“For the record…Cataleya is no slouch in those categories either. She’s just as good as her sister and she proved it today. She took out and entire gun line in the bunker complex, about 20 pirates, by herself.”

Mireya looks at her father hopefully. “Dad…is Mom going to be ok?”

Keith calls his daughters to him and gives them both a tight hug.

“She’s going to be sore, honey, but she’ll pull through. Your mother is tough. She’s been through worse than this. Let’s see, she’s crash-landed inside the belly of an intergalactic space worm, she was poisoned by Bralarian Hyenas after flying her ship to Braylar IV with a broken arm2 , she was almost skewered by Sendak after fighting him on top of a cruiser that was plummeting to Earth3…and she gave birth to you two hellions. She’ll pull through. Besides, she loves you girls too much to leave you now.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret. Mom heard everything we just said. She heard Uncle Meltok say what you both did today. I know when she wakes up, she’ll tell you proud she is of her daughters.”

A still very agitated Mireya is not so sure. “Yeah…if she ever forgives me for being an ungrateful little bitch…”

“She knows you are not that, honey. Hey, I have an idea. I think Mom would like it if the three of us sat here with her and talked to her for a bit. Would you be willing to do that with me?”

---------------

Six vargas later, Acxa wakes up from her ordeal.

Vaguely aware of her husband’s presence, she reaches out for him. “Keith…?”

Keith squeezes her hand and leans closer so she can see him. “I’m here, love.”

“Thank you…for staying here with me. And talking to me. I heard you. Where…where are the girls? Are they…?”

“They are safe, and they are well. Aunt Miara took them to get something to eat.” Keith gently strokes her hair and horns. “You my dear have two heroes on your hands. Cataleya took out an entire gun line in the middle sector by herself. Mireya single-handedly took out the heavy rifle emplacements in your sector. It would seem that our daughters are now seasoned combat veterans. They’re not little girls anymore, Acxa.”

Acxa closes her eyes for a moment as she desperately tries to hold back the tears. Opening them, she turns towards Keith, sadness reflected in her deep blue eyes. “Where are my girls? I need to see them. I need to…”

From the shadows, her daughters tentatively emerge. “We…we’re here Mom.”

Mireya rushes to Acxa’s side and buries her head against her mother’s arm. “Mom, I’m so sorry about what I said before the mission. I didn’t mean any of that. When I saw you go down, I…I went crazy. Mom, please forgive me. I’m a horrible daughter.”

Fully awake now and aware of her daughter’s mental state, Acxa easily slips back into Mom mode. “No Mireya…you are a wonderful daughter. I forgot how much you’ve grown these past two decaphoebs. You’re an adult now. It’s time I started treating you like one.”

She looks at Cataleya and calls her over. “It’s time I started treating both of you like the adults you are. I’m so proud of both of you.”

Keith looks on with pride at his family.

“Acxa, you need to rest. I’ll sit with you. You girls need to get some rest as well.”

Cataleya does not want to hear that. “Dad, we’re not leaving. We’re staying with you and Mom.”

Acxa looks at Keith. “You know they get their stubbornness from their father.”

“Said the pot to the kettle. Go to sleep, woman!”

“No! I’m going to lay hear and let my daughters entertain me with stories of their exploits.”

Keith looks first at Acxa, then at his daughters.

“And your mother says I’m the stubborn one…”

1 Rejected by the Galra, Chapter 14 The Shared Path

2 Return of the Prince, Chapter 14, Cry of the Wolf

3 Rejected by the Galra, Chapter 12 Lions Pride

[fallenqueen2]

Homecoming 1 [Voltron]

Voltron didn’t lose all those years once they beat Lotor, this changes the way they returned to Earth.

Ao3

How I wish the Paladin’s return to Earth went, in this AU they didn’t lose all those years when they beat Lotor as I thought that their return was very lacklustre and didn’t display how amazing and badass the Paladin’s truly were by that point.

I found this in my WIP and decided while it is not done and most likely will never be more than these two chapters, I thought I would share it nonetheless 

~~/~~

“Status report!” Sam Holt cried out as he stormed into the control center, panic thundering through his veins since the moment he saw those Galra cruisers coming into view high above the Earth.

“They look to be circling the planet and our readings show they are charging some sort of ion cannon from each battleship!” Veronica reported, fingers flying across her keyboard, a bead of sweat running down the side of her face.

“Can you hail them?” Sam asked, desperate to stop this attack before it happened. Earth was nowhere near ready for this sort of invasion and he still hadn’t heard anything from Katie and the rest of Voltron, not even Matt had replied yet.

“I can try… Aha! On the screen Commander!” Veronica said in triumphant before she paled at the sight of a large purple Galra with one eye and prosthetic claw.

“I am Commander Sendak of The Fire of Purification and we are here for the lions of Voltron, hand them over or we will destroy your planet.” Sendak snarled, his voice glitching like the computer was trying to translate the languages Sam had programmed into them to English. The Galra looked powerful and in control but there was no way Sam was going to back down.

“I will give you one minute to comply or your planet is forfeit,” Sendak stated in an almost bored tone before Sam even had time to reply.

“Voltron isn’t here and Earth will not fall as easily as you think it will Sendak.” Sam snarled, remembering what Katie had told him about what Sendak did to the Castle of lions, Lance, herself and Shiro. He was not going to let this Galra hurt anyone else he cared about and he had a planet to protect.  

Suddenly the ground shook and everyone in the control room yelped and clutched at their terminals as they lurched forward. Sam knew that was the result of a blast hitting their particle barrier and he wasn’t sure how long the barrier would last.

“That was a warning shot, comply now Earthlings,” Sendak ordered firmly.

“Give me Voltron!” Sendak roared before the transmission shook and Sendak snarled and Sam felt hope flare up in his chest. They hadn’t fired any of the fusion canons yet, so if Sendak was under attack that could only mean one thing.

“What was that?” Sendak snapped off-screen.

“You wanted Voltron, you’ve got it!” A familiar voice echoed through the speakers as another transmission made it’s way to the control room causing everyone in the room to gasp in shock.

“Champion, I knew you would come to protect this dustball of a planet.” Sendak’s lips curled back to show his pointed teeth.

“You made the grave mistake of attacking this planet Sendak and this time we won’t be so gracious to let you live.” Shiro snarled in response, his own transmission popped up next to Sendak’s showing his full black Paladin armour and pure white hair.  

“Shiro!” Sam beamed in relief at the sight of Shiro alive and well.

“We shall see Champion, all ships focus on Voltron. I want those lions!” Sendak roared and his transmission feed was cut off.  

“Commander Holt, keep the barrier up and if you have any ground support we would appreciate it.” Shiro smiled at Sam who returned it with relief.

“You’ve got it, Shiro, we can scramble our own fighters if you need backup?” Sam offered.

“No need Commander, taking out Galra fleets is our specialty and well after taking down Lotor, this is nothing,” Shiro smirked and twisted his head to the side to touch a glowing screen next to him.

“Paladins, don’t let anyone of those ships breach the atmosphere or they will attack the Earth with no remorse,” Shiro ordered firmly and one with the air of someone who did this numerous times before.

“Got it!” Numerous familiar voices echoed back and Shiro smiled proudly.

“We’ll contact you when we have taken down Sendak and destroyed his fleet.” Shiro turned back to the screen.

“Dibs on taking down Sendak’s ship!” Lance’s voice filtered through and Veronica let out a gasp and covered her mouth with her hand at the sound of her brother’s voice.

“Still holding a grudge Lance?” Pidge asked teasingly and Sam beamed at the sound of his little girl’s voice.

“He blew me up and almost killed Shiro, yes I am holding a grudge!” Lance huffed and Shiro placed his left hand over his eyes while trying to hold back some sort of noise.

“Guys focus and yes Lance you can blow him up!” Keith chuckled from his lion and Lance whooped in return.

“Cut the chatter Paladins,” Shiro said fondly and the transmission cut off leaving the control room in silence.

“They, just, my brother was almost killed by that purple asshole!” Veronica raged as she punched the desk she was sitting at as she realized how dangerous things had been for Lance and the other cadets in the time they had gone missing.

“I’m sorry Veronica, but they have been through a lot, but they are stronger than anyone in the garrison,” Sam said like it was a fact. Veronica gave Sam a wobbly smile before turning back to her screen to keep an eye on the battle.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Iverson asked Sam as they watched the battle from a distance, flashes of colour flitting in between the purple battle cruisers that were exploding every time one of the coloured streaks flew past.

“Get the fusion cannon’s charged up and give them some support,” Sam ordered.

“Yes Sir!” Veronica jerked to life and determination to give her brother any backup she could provide.

“Sir should we launch the new ships?” Iverson asked concern in his voice. Those were still his old cadets up there and if he could do anything to help them then he would do it.

“No, they aren’t ready for this yet and well I hate to say it but they would get in the way of the lions right now. Besides, it looks like only Sendak’s ship is left.” Sam said absently as he watched the battle on screen, a smile on his face as he watched as all the ships but one fell to the Voltron lions.

“They are charging their ion canon again! This blast is massive and if it makes contact with the Earth… Half of the planet will be destroyed.” Veronica reported face paling and the room broke out into mutters and gasps.

“What can we do?” Iverson turned to Sam who was paler than before.

“We believe in Voltron and fire those fusion canons!” Sam shouted.

“Firing in 3… 2… 1!” Veronica hit the correct buttons and everyone watched as the orange blast flew into the sky and they cheered when the blast made contact with the remaining cruiser. They watched in awe as the streaks of colour flew up in an organized formation and a burst of light appeared and a new form stood.

“Magnifying,” Veronica murmured as she quickly enhanced the image and she gasped in awe at the sight of Voltron in all its glory as a sword appeared in the mouth of the red arm.

“Voltron,” Sam breathed out in delight as awe wafted across the room and Sam knew that seeing Voltron for the first time was something to behold. They watched as a shield appeared in front of the robot just in time to block the incoming ion blast.

They watched as the ion cannon was then destroyed by another blast and a new ship came into view it was a mix of glowing white, green and blue with a shining particle barrier up around it to protect it.

Voltron zoomed forward showing up on their screen as nothing but a blur and appeared on the other side of the cruiser and a moment later the battleship was sliced in half in a bright explosion, outlining Voltron’s form in the aftermath like an avenging angel.

“They did it.” Sam breathed out in excitement, his words echoing in the silent control room, everyone holding their breath for confirmation that the Galra had truly been defeated.

“This is Takashi Shirogane of the Castle of Lions and the Voltron Coalition. The Galra invasion fleet has been destroyed and we are requesting permission to land.” Shiro’s voice rang out and Sam noticed that it was broadcasting throughout the Garrison itself to let everyone know what had happened and that he was still alive, Sam just hoped Adam was on base to hear it.

“This is Commander Samuel Holt of the Galaxy Garrison, come on home Voltron,” Sam responded in kind and the room erupted in cheers and applauds as it sunk in that the Galra threat was gone, for now at least. Sam just couldn’t wait to have his daughter back in his arms and soon Matt would join them and his family would finally be complete after all this time.  

[knowingoverseer]

Decisions Decisions....

Well, as far as you’re concerned you have got this. Sure, you were worried at first that you’d get overwhelmed, that working so far outside your element would turn up failure. But you’re here to laugh in the face of that self doubt! Or maybe you were laughing internally because you feel like you already completed this little project and you were far from done. It was hard to tell anymore.....

You’ve just re-entered your work room after making a visit to the stone shop in Lumiouse city. They didn’t exactly deal with jewelry making, but they had been kind enough to patch you through to one of the local companies they distributed for who did. Specifically working with stainless steel, which is what you had been doing. You needed the item, a very special gift, ion plated. Well, okay, you didn’t need to get it ion plated. But you had decided it would look much better blue than silver, and that was that. You had sent the item off, and it should be returned in a few days all nice and blue which was going to look absolutely lovely with the orange of the gems and oh!! Honestly, you were kinda excited by the whole thing, because while the process was currently Greek to you, it seemed like something that maybe, once you learned a bit more science, was something within your grasp of doing? Maybe? It was ion particles and oxidizing and... things! Sure you didn’t get it, but you understood what particles and oxygen molecules were! .... well, that they existed. UGH! This was why you weren’t the most confident in this project, not the ion plating (you really had only just learned of that recently), but the whole... science side of this. At least this part seemed like something you could learn one day. The technology side of it.... well. You throw yourself down into your main work chair and spin it around a few times for good measure, thinking something over that’s been on your mind since you started all this. Your portable Alchemiter is out next to the work bench; two portal portraits, each with a thick curtain covering up what appeared to be sunlight and bright green light, were set close by; and all the various prototypes of the gift were scattered around the workspace. There were also pages of concept work and notes strewn about. With a sigh you pull yourself up to the desk, picking up various pieces and looking them over: various electronics and their selectively bred amalgamations as well as the stainless steel trinkets you’d been working on by hand. You’ve been spending the last few days going through chain after chain of object alchemy, practically re-living your days of frog breeding. It had taken a lot of fenagling and refining but you had finally been able to get your outcomes to match up with what you had intended. A nice bracelet piece shaped like a figure 8, or Infinity symbol, that could wirelessly charge any device that can take a wireless charge in a 15 foot radius, that was solar powered to boot. It was cute and you hoped would be useful, remembering the long stretch of time it’s eventual recipient had seemingly burnt herself out of her main energy supply.  Once it came back, you honestly could call it quits there. It would be a nice gift and perfectly safe to take back to the.... uh, safety space harbor? Secret sanctuary? Ssssssomething, whatever word Serket kept using for her home. The place that didn’t like magic. Yes, there, the reason you can’t just magic this thing blue and call it a day. But still, this has been.... fun, if not frustrating, and proving you can fruitfully craft a non-enchanted gizmo trinket armor things. Well, okay, it’s not any form of armor.... yet. Which brings your think pan back to that idea you’ve been pondering. It’s nice, yeah. But like. What if it could do something more? Like.... produce a Hard-Light Shield. You look down at your initial few concept sketches. Technically, you had wanted to include a fuse-y gem too but there’s no way you’d be able to do that without enchantments so Hard-Light Shield was your next best idea. And you knew the perfect place to get ahold of the kind of tech needed for that! Aperture Labs! That big old abandon facility your brother was gifted like almost nine years ago. There’d be plenty of science junk in there to swipe and turn into alchemy fodder! Hard-Light generators and their necessary components to pump sunlight into them just happened to be a very specific thing you’d want to grab. Buuuuuuuuuuut, you just couldn’t seem to commit to the idea. Well, it’s more like you keep talking yourself out of it. There’s a little voice in your head, and while they normally laugh at your pratfalls surrounding this project, the alarm bells always seem to go off at this part. It’s dangerous, sure, but it’s not like the place is even in full working order. You’d be in and out! But you can’t shake that fear it seems. Maybe it’s because you almost died in that place once upon a time? Or maybe it was that feeling of meta-fear that if no one’s around who remembers the place then it’s too deus ex machina to just. Go to Aperture fucking Labs. On a whim. To get parts to try and make a cool badass light shield for your cool badass friend. Even if it’s been part of your canon for almost nine years and one of your favorite personal items, your Moon Boots, came from a similar alchemiter project and spoils from Aperture. Your inner voice is more snarky about it but you do think the later is having a big say in your hesitation. You sigh, honestly if you could just make up your mind, this would be the best time to go. You’ll be having some downtime for at least a day if not more. But, hey, if you do decide against it you do have some awesome threads from like. Half a decade ago you cooked up for another very badass Serket-named lady you could throw in. It’s not like Captain’s Ex (Or so you presume), would really have a need for them now. And the coat even has a fun blood enchantment that changes the accent colour based on what colour blood has been shed on it, Serket would love that right? She’s always changing blood colours. And the boots have guns for heels. It was.... like right after Bayonetta 2 released, it was a dumb inspiration, hUsh. But, that falls into the enchanted category and while she can have those things.... you are trying to avoid it. You scribble onto a piece of notebook paper your options, just to help you think this out. Though to be honest, you should probably quit while you’re ahead. Who’s to say your strings will have enough steam to even deal with another drabble like that? It’s amazing you got through this one! Anyhoo, that piece of paper, if you’d lot be so kind.

[touchstarvedasclones]

But seriously, I think this is such a cool concept.

Imagine clones finding other clones that have the same graduation day, but on different years. Would it be like if two people learn they have the same birthday?

Clones sharing experiences of their first non-kamino planet, remembering everything vividly.

Clones celebrating another brother's graduation, because it's the best way to remember them after they've died.

Older clones getting some treats onto the ship to help celebrate the one year anniversary of the graduation of the shiniest in the battalion.

A clone in the middle of a battle, behind a barricade, and in a moment of steadying himself, he remembers that he graduated x number of years ago on that day. And it makes him fight harder.

Clones remembering the day they tried new foods, and said food appears on their bunk or in their tray at the mess hall on that day without fail.

Clones trying to get leave on the same day every year, because that's the first day they went to 79s and it's tradition at this point, they're expecting us.

Clones mourning their brothers that never got to celebrate their one year being graduated.

Just things that matter so much more than the day they entered the galaxy. Because their graduation is when they truly feel like they joined everyone else, and the little things after are experiencing the galaxy.

I think clones know when their birthdays are, but the information is neutral, biological/organizational detail the way what squad they're in and what number they have are. CC-7567, decanted from growth chamber 19-A, Tree block B, Tree 12, container 8, [month / day / year] BBY. All of this information is equally important in that as time goes on, they become less and less relevant. Clones remember their birthday, but "birthday" is clinically understood like one might detail when a package was shipped out. no fanfare. neither pomp nor circumstance.

this is because all clones are born, but not all of them make it to graduation. graduation is the day that matters. The day you receive you join your battalion is the day that gets turned into an anniversary. massive victories. deaths. critical losses. deaths. maybe something nichely sentimental like a first kiss or a unique personal experience. death. perhaps the knighting of a commander. deaths.

[sour-heart-treats]

i like to think that cyborg is the one that shot aloe’s leg off; maybe you can do something with that? your writing is spicy btw

Caution was of the utmost importance when handling a someone sentient with a weapon. Aloe knew this. They knew this, yet their caution wasn't enough. Stanced defensively, they looked above them, eyes wide as they stared upon their former friend. Their only friend. One who only grew and grew more violent each time they tried to give their memories back.

What kept going wrong? They had to figure it out- for their friend- yet... That scowl they recieved shook him. Was this the right path to keep pressing towards? Yes- yes it had to be.

"Cyborg, please calm down- this- this isn't you!" The scientist shouted out, only to recieve a growl from a digitized voice. Just the sound alone caused him to take a step back. "Please..." They pleaded once more, reaching a hand out to the amalgamation of metal and cookie they had made out of his own desperation.

Desperation that exchanged itself with bitterness and rage within the figure that raised their blaster to their 'creator'. "How are you supposed to know who I am and not?!" They practically screamed, the vrring of a charge flowing through their arm canon. "Even I don't know who I am! You can't possibly have a clue, you horrific excuse for a human!"

Hearing their heart race, they knew that continuing to reason would only lead to some form of harm to them. Their body told them to run, yet their heart told them to stay. So they did, to Cyborg's disdain. They knew the direction that blaster was headed. It was directed to their head, for sure a blast to their form would kill them...

"Leave me alone!" The flying figure squalled, glowering down at the annoyance that haunted their waking nightmare. They didn't know shit about them, not a single thing! They couldn't, not if Cyborg themself didn't know any better. Even still, that fearfulness that they were drowning in... Cy recognized it as their own. It burned their processors how conflicted this simple relation made them feel. They can't- They can't opperate like this. "I said-... I said leave me alone!"

A single blast left nothing but a discordant cry of anguish. The creation escaped, and the creator was left upon the ground, clutching at their burnt, utterly decimated leg. Unusable. Agonizing. Barely anything remained, and what was had been scorched to the bone. Aloe cried for the aid of an Ion, praying that one of them would come to carry them from here. They couldn't dare go to a hospital, no, not with unexplainable injuries...

They prayed to the stars they had the supplies for a self-amputation...

[sirenasinsib]

Spider

If you Like it please don't for get to press that Reblog! its means a lot to me!

WOW I havent posted in a while, been working on my own stuff but here is some personal works. Expecet to see alot of content of Spider and Viper. Ive been playing a ton of Titanfall so im in that mood rigt now. 

Fandom: Titanfall

Relatonship: Viper/OC Character

Warnings: Very long clocking in around 3260 Words! Explict language, canon violence, mutual pinging, build to relationship, and smut at the end!

He really didn't see why the ship was built to have a limited number of dorms. It was hard to find a spot and claim it as yours when it's already six members and their Titan, but the recent addition made it just a bit harder.

Spider, he was told, was to be dorming with him. Sloane and Ash were already in one room as was Ritcher and Kane, and he preferred to not have one of the other two males to be dorming with him, he saw how messy they kept theirs. Blisk's room was of course off limits. They were just about to take off when he heard a knock on the door before it slid open. Spider was there with only 2 duffle bags. She walked in quietly looking around the room.

The "kitchen" was towards the front of the room, right beside the entrance, a couch and TV opposite of it. Towards the back were two beds in opposite corners and lockers on both sides. The left side was noticeable more used with the bed sheets being almost completely off the bed, an extra locker that was slightly open due to the amount of tech it was holding. She took to the right side. Placing her duffle bags on the bed. Viper didn't focus on her as she moved around. He would have to just get used to another person in the room.

It was actually quite easy getting used to another person in the same room as him. The first week she slept with most of her gear on. The second week he noticed she would get up very early, earlier than Ash even, he didn't know where she went at the time, too busy trying to get more sleep before the day started. Hawk, his titan, told him later where Spider went. Often she went to the Titan hanger bay and got into her own Titan, JD. 

She appears to be under stress. JD has stated that they are not used to working with others. He also stated that she fears word of her being with the Apex Predators might get out and someone from her past may try to capture her.

Hawk spoke into the link as he worked on one of her thrusters. 

Is she that valuable of a member if she needs protection?

You were only a Predator if you had the skills. Needing protection meant you were weak. 

Calculations suggest a 78% better performance in missions with the assistance of a Monarch Titan and Pilot. It is also easier to be assisted, that is a possible reason why they joined instead of remaining in hiding. They were on low ammo and power, yet we’re able to steal just enough from both Militia and IMC units without being caught. 

It was one of their first real big missions after joining. They were to defend a couple of units going in to steal information and escort them out and to extraction. Spider had JD watch the back as she jumped from rooftop to rooftop calling out as well as distracting. 

“Would be nice if I got some help! Got a Legion hiding with an Ion!”

Kane yelled over the comms. Viper was on the far side of the complex and was dealing with his own Titan, same with the others when he heard Spider speak up. 

“On the way, can you distract them?”

“I’m in a fucking Scorch you bug! What do you think?!”

He spotted JD quickly running to the back of the area, halting slightly he guessed to pick up Spider before he started to hear the faint rattle of an electric charged XO-16.

“Enemy shields down! Kane?!”

He heard Kane laughing along with the roar of a Flame core activating and the sound of a Titan exploding. 

“Enemy Legion down.” 

Kane’s Titan spoke. Spider had to back up from a placement of Anti-Rodeo smoke when the Ion charged out with a vengeance. The monarch shot a few rockets and even an energy siphon before charging against the Ion. Then the radio filled with a hatch opening and a loud Metallic BAM. 

“Systems restored. Enemy pilot down.”

JD spoke. They had executed a Titan, and stole its battery. That was smart and ballsy Viper thought.

“Both teams got the data! Time to go!”

Blisk yelled into the comms, the roar of his Predator Cannon in the background. Viper dashed to the location of his team to defend as the others followed suit. Ash, Spider, and Kane made it back to his location while Blisk, Sloane, and Ritcher made it to their spot. Viper took to the skies, circling the group as Kane to the front and the other two took to a side. They would have a long walk to evacuation as they kept the enemy off their back and made sure that the ground troops stayed together. 

It was a long walk getting to extraction. They had to stop twice to make sure that they weren't followed and to give the ground troops rest since they didn't have a Titan. It was dark when they did their second stop deciding to rest a little before getting the last few miles in and getting off the planet. 

"Spider, Viper, you're on first watch. Sloane, Ash, you’re next, one hour." 

Blisk told them before finding a spot for his Titan to hunker down and both of them rest. Spider and Viper walked a bit away from the group before they found a spot. Spider hopped out of the Titan onto its hand as it lifted her up to the top of its chassis. She had a DMR in one hand with a ration bar in the other. Viper decided it would be a good time to eat as well. 

They sat in silence save for the whir of both Titans. Occasionally Spider would grab her DMR and look into the forest, he didn't see why, the titans would pick up on anyone approaching faster than they would, unless it was cloaked units but he didn't say anything. The hour passed uneventfully and Ash and Solane soon came to take their spot. Spider got back into her Titan as Viper moved Hawk to a spot and the other pair went to their own. 

"Viper? Can I ask you a favor?"

He turned from the blueprints for Hawk. Spider had grown more easy to get use to, she talked more. Sparred with the rest a few times. She seemed unsure right now. 

He spoke "Depends."

"My arm, I need another hand or set of hands to fix the connections and make sure the rotators aren't getting any build up or are worn down."

He was surprised to find her asking for help, he seen the way she reacted to others touching it when not fighting. 

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't think you were capable, and I trust you a helluva lot more than the rest of the lot."

"Really, not very smart."

She gave a snort. "I seen the work you put on your Titan, as soon as you get this you're gonna do the same, besides, why purposely mess it up when I'm the one that keeps everyone's backs cleared."

It was quiet for a moment. 

"Fine. Blueprints?"

She tossed a small flash drive to his hands as she turned her focus to getting her arm off. He saw out of the corner of his eye, she pressed a button before twisting and pulling off the arm and placed it on the desk before turning

"I'm going to get cleaned up, you know how to find me."

They were sparing. He would never admit it out loud but she was one of the hardest predators to fight against. Sloane had a pattern, Ash wasn't fluid, Kane was easy to get dizzy, Ritcher you just let him do all the hard work of runnin around, Blisk favored his right side, but Spider? She dodged another lock, ducking quickly and she slid up right beside him, their gear rubbing against each other before she backed up from another swing.

She was fast, graceful, and really fucking hard to hit. He had one more trick. He turned around and charged her, she sidestepped, just like he thought she would and quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her with and using his momentum to flip them as they landed on the ground. He placed his fist above her neck as the other held her arm.

“I won.”

She gave a quiet laugh before tapping her non trapped hand on his side, where the armor was weaker. 

“More like a stalemate. Besides. . .”

He gave a small head tilt before suddenly her legs pushed against him, flipping him above her head. He let go of her arm, trying to stop himself from flipping. She quickly rounded and got above him, trapping both hands in her metal one as she placed her weight on his thighs, keeping from him lifting his legs to do the same. 

“I won now.”

Ok so he may or may not be pinning for the skilled sniper sleeping in the same room as him, who can beat him in hand to hand combat, does not intrude into his space, while also being a helpful hand when it comes to modding Hawk, and she looks good. Viper gave a quiet groan at his thoughts as he let the water wash his sins off the wall before he turned off the water. Drying most of his hair before wrapping the towel around his shoulders and pulling on a pair of boxers. He stepped into the room he shared the person of his thoughts with. Spider was distracted, she had taken her DMR apart and cleaned it again. The jump to their next contracts always left her on edge. “How many times have you taken that apart now?” He asked as he pulled on his pilot gear. “In total or while you were in the shower?” She was being funny, noticing he was in there longer than usual. He shook his head but grinned. 

“Ha ha very funny.” 

“Huh really, am I getting better at jokes? But in reality probably not a good idea to use a lot of hot water, you know how the boss and Kane get when they cant basically melt their skin off. There are other ways to relax.” His brain short circuit, did she really mean?-No that's just his thoughts, Spider didn't seem like the type to get attached to coworkers, or offer to be a fuck buddy. He didn’t turn around to face her, rather not look at her and see if she was being serious, the mission wouldn't go right then. “Yeah I know it's called sleep.”

“Thats- “Five mins till we get to the drop, get your asses to your Titans!” Blisked yelled into the comms. Spider didn’t get a chance to finish what she was gonna say as Viper grabbed his weapons and the rest of his gear and rushed out the door, she followed suit. 

He didn’t understand why he was sent on a solo mission, but he was told to for some reason, he guessed it was the fact no one knew his face, so he had to. He was ready to get back to being on the ship and rather deal with his personal issue then do another solo mission, he missed the small comfort of being assisted should things go south. 

He walked into the room quietly, it being late on the ship, and set down his duffel bag. The room looked mostly the same, another Sniper had been added to Spider’s desk, while a few Titan parts were placed on his, most likely due to Spider, she often found bits he was needing to get. Her bed was surprisingly empty seeing how she wasn’t in the hanger and he saw no one in the training room when he passed by. 

He looked to his bed, ready to sleep in his gear and deal with the pain later when he saw something in it. Spider was under the covers, wearing one of his shirts surprisingly and hugging his pillow. He turned not sure how to deal with her and decided to change. He heard the bed creak slightly as he changed and glanced back seeing Spider sit up. 

“Sorry I didn’t know you were back and I- the room felt different- I had problems sleeping and . . .”

She rambled before stopping, looking down and fiddled with the blanket before placing her hands beside her to get up. 

“I’ll get out of your way.”

“Spider.”

She paused and slowly looked up. He was close now, having changed. 

“If you want . . . you can stay.”

He didn’t want to admit but sleeping sucked when he was alone on the mission, the room felt barren without her. He missed her presence in general. 

“Oh-ok” 

She went towards the wall of the bed, grabbing her pillow and placing his back in the process as he got in. She hugged the wall as he faced the outside and he could feel her tension and it got on his nerves. He flipped over after sometime and placed a hand on her waist and held her.

“Relax.”

She took a deep breath calming herself before the two slowly drifted to sleep. They woke up with her head tucked under his chin and her own arms wrapped around his waist. They didn't speak about sleeping together, but they didn't stop either. He didn't know what to call whatever they had, sleeping together but not actually sleeping together. 

She was on a solo mission now. They needed someone who could go in and get close to the target without drawing attention. She volunteered actually. Pointing out that she still wasn't known as a Predator, and was an assassin before joining them. She got back two weeks later and immediately went to the med bay. The mission was successful but she had taken a few bullets, thankfully not in severe locations, removing glass shards, and trying to fix her arm. 

She was in a foul mood and no one bothered her, well except him of course. He had snatched her gear, arm and helmet mainly, the visor was cracked, as he set out to fix the two as she recovered. Once released from the med bay she was to rest and given a few more weeks for the nanites to do their job. 

He bothered her by watching movies, Top Gun and Edge of Tomorrow at least twice. Once healed she immediately went back to training, prepping her body after not having done so while healing. He joined her, bored out of his mind. 

"-nd I snapped his arm in half." 

She was talking about the mission as they spared. He stayed quiet letting her sort of vent before he blocked a swing from her. 

"Taught the ass to don't even think about touching someone without asking."

She spoke of someone following her, harassing her, while on the mission. She had gotten somewhere quiet and out of view before she attacked him after he touched her. While he was pissed that someone touched her, the fact that she broke his arm made him satisfied. He gave a groan hearing what sounded like metal on metal. 

His head was pounding yet he didn't even drink that much the night before. Spider was trying to be quiet, whipping up some food their bodies could handle while being slightly hungover. Eventually the noises stopped and he could tell lights were turned off. Cracking one eye open just a bit to see Spider in the kitchen eating whatever she made quietly, lost in her thoughts.

She was wearing one of his shirts again, he could see her shorts under the edge of his shirt but just barely. He looked away in his own thoughts before his eyes flicked back to her when she started moving. Bringing a bottle of water, medicine, and some food. 

"Are you always looking out for everyone?"

She hummed a bit as he sat up before speaking. 

"Guess it's just in my nature."

He gave a soft grunt as he was pushed onto the bed. Spider was quick to straddle him. She leaned down quickly, capturing his lips with hers and kissed hard. He kissed back just as hard as his hands grabbed her waist and head. He’s not sure how the make out session started. They were sparring again when it just got a little heated. OK more than a little, Spider had gained the upper hand and straddled his waist when he let out a tiny choked moan. She halted slightly, surprised by the noise before she moved but it felt like she purposely dragged her weight onto him more. Then they were hurrying back to their room, their gear quickly stripped away.

He was brought back to the present when Spider slowly kissed down his chest, her thumb flicking over a hardening nipple before kissing above his navel. She then tugged on his briefs, getting him to lift his hips as she pulled them off. Her hands felt along his thighs as she breathed over his cock. Slowly she gave the head a tiny kiss before giving a long lick on the underside. His breath was shaky but when she enveloped him with her mouth he let out a moan, his hands covering his face as she slowly bobbed up and down. Stopping at times to flatten her tongue on his head. 

"Fuck." He groaned out. 

Spider hummed, watching his reaction through her eyelashes. She continued before he started to pant harder, his hips slowly thrusting.

"Fuck-Spider-Ah!"

She quickly pulled off, her hand squeezing the base almost painfully keeping him for cumming. Slowly did he come from that high and she started to pump again. She crawled into his lap as she kept the slow pace, her other hand going to her cilt and rubbed lightly before slowly sliding a finger in. She matched her pumps, her finger sliding in as her hand went down. She continued even as she added a second and third. Once she felt stretched did she stop. 

Viper's hands went to her waist as she held him and slowly slid down a tiny moan coming out as she bottomed out. Then she rose and slid back down, her pace slow. His hands gripping her waist tight. She leaned down quickly kissing him as a hand went into his hair as the other braced near his head, his own hands moving, one to her hair, the other to the small of her back. 

The kisses were slow and sloppy, quiet pants came out between the kisses before Spider slowly increased her pace. They broke the kiss, letting their foreheads rest together. Quiet words spoken as the pleasure rose. 

"Nnnn-Viper-ah-Viper!"

"Fu-ck-Spider!"

They came with a shout. Spider giving a few thrust before slamming down hard and stilling. Small shakes went through their bodies as they breathed. Spider made a quiet whine as she pulled off him, feeling slick dribble out onto them both. She ran her hand through his hair slowly before giving a quiet grunt. 

"We need a shower."

"Is that an offer for round 2?"

He said with a grin causing a quiet laugh to escape her.  

"Only if you promise to help clean up the mess."

"Deal."

[stranger-who-writes-fiction]

Gotta make a 5x08 post because if I don’t gather all of my thoughts in a single place, it’s absolutely gonna devolve into a series of ‘AND ANOTHER THING!’ posts. XD

Spoilers!

I really do think that they’ve made great strides in balancing all of the stuff that goes into a single episode of Supergirl. But! There are still pacing problems--this episode is pretty darned rushed and nowhere is that more apparent than Alex and Brainy just. Hopping into the Fortress and Kara shaking off hours of Kryptonite exposure like...’business as usual, lads!’

(And I mean...I get it, they had to wrap a lot of stuff up because Crisis but. It’s not like they didn’t know that the first chunk of the season would need to be handled by episode 8. So on the one hand, okay....but on the other hand, ehhhhhh?)

(Also SG did not tie its season in with Crisis the same way Flash and Arrow did, so it’s not as though anything was taking time away from their series regulars/season-long plot.)

Right, so. Kara speeds off to Lena’s secret lair and....

Here’s the part where I admit a couple of things: 1.) I have never liked Lena Luthor. Ever. At all. But, 2.) I’ve disagreed with a lot of the more... intense Lena hate this season. For instance, I actually think it makes sense that for seasons 2-4, Lena doesn’t show a lot of self-awareness, and refuses to change, because you can’t have Lena being like, ‘Whoops, I’m wrong, my bad, sorry,’ and then proceed with a ‘Dark Lena’ plot. So I was like, ‘okay, this season is payoff to something they’ve clearly been building for several seasons...and said payoff is about Lena learning a lesson, and being taken to task for her shady business.’

And perhaps that’s where we’re still headed. BUUUUUUUUUUT:

In the meantime, it’s getting all muddied.

For instance: we get really frustrating moments, like Lena shooting ion canons at Kara, but stopping short of killing her with Kryptonite ones, and Kara being like, ‘I won’t give up on you!’ because WOW, Lena didn’t kill her.

Much friendship. Such love.

(Admission number 3! I rolled my eyes at Lena every time words came out of her mouth because they were all terrible.)

Speaking of eye-rolling! The Malefic interrogation scene!

Lena kept that man AS HER PRISONER but because she didn’t resort to physical violence, and kept him from being physically violent via mind control, we’re meant to believe that she’s still basically Good.

NEVER MIND THE SHADY ETHICS OF CONSENT AND EQUALLY-SHADY EXPERIMENTATION AND, OH YES, THE MIND CONTROL.

‘Well Malefic was a terrorist.’ Except Lena didn’t kidnap him with the intent of saving J’onn, or Kara, or anyone that Malefic was attacking--she kidnapped him with the intent of using his brain for--and I cannot stress this enough--MiND CoNtROL!!!!!

And yes, yes, it’s very in character for Kara to believe in people and hope for the best and think she can save everyone, but at what point does the narrative say, enough is enough? She’s got everything from murder to mind control under her belt and Kara’s over here like, ‘She’s not physically hurting anyone, and she probably got a good reason for it!’

Kara, I love you, but. No.

(Not to mention all of the very uncomfortable stuff happening re: Kara blaming herself and thinking that SHE has to fix someone who has intended to cause and has actually caused her physical harm. Multiple times.) 

*takes a deep breath*

*because I’m gonna need air to yell in just a second here*

The hologram scene!

Which is a repeat of Kara apologizing for one past mistake and Lena treating it like it was a pattern, and Kara just. Taking it.

‘You just exposed me to the ugliness of humanity.’

SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUP

Again I get that it’s extremely in-character for Lena to have zero self-awareness but this kind of stuff doesn’t do her any favors in the sympathy department, because we KNOW that Kara has bent over backwards to support and defend Lena, and Lena’s out here like, ‘You’re the WORST’!

I just wanna laugh in her face, which I don’t think is the response that the show wants.   

Up next, the first DEO balcony scene, AKA, my favorite part of the episode.

I’m gonna quote the whole thing, because it’s wonderful:

“Your choice to conceal your identity wasn’t born out of a place of maliciousness. It was born out of love and compassion. And you were just trying to protect your family. And you were trying to protect Lena from people who could use that information to hurt us.”

And then there’s the whole list of all the shady nonsense Lena has pulled and honestly, *chef’s kiss*

And see, here we are, thinking, GOOD, YES, GOOD, at last, a voice of REASON. Now, Kara will learn that while it’s okay to believe that people can change and have hope, she can recognize that it has to be them that wants to change. She can’t do it for them!

Buuuuut then the show is like, ‘well Alex wants to use lethal force and that’s BAD’. Which it is.

So if you’re trying to position Alex as the voice of reason and in the Right, you can’t turn around and say, ‘look at how unreasonable Alex is being right now! Look at how wrong she was!’

It’s incredibly frustrating that the episode lands on the note of: Alex was wrong to think that people can’t change, and Kara was right, so we just have to deal with Lena’s sh*t a bit longer’. Like, Alex lays out all of the very real, very valid reasons for Kara to MAYBE BE UPSET WITH LENA and see that Lena’s just as much in the wrong--if not MORE SO--and the episode doesn’t use that to teach KARA anything new...somehow this turns into ‘teach Alex to BELIEVE IN PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO CHANGE.’

Which would be a fine lesson at any other point but maybe not after repeated attempts to get Lena to surrender and stop her MIND CONTROL PLOT.

Speaking of repeated attempts to reach Lena: I appreciate that J’onn reminds Kara that she already talked to Lena (and tearfully apologized for the...third time? now?) and Lena was just as petty and melodramatic and UNWILLING TO ADMIT TO ANY KIND OF WRONGDOING OR SHOW ANY DESIRE TO CHANGE but again, all of this information is buried in another ‘Kara believes in Lena in spite of all evidence to the contrary and the narrative justifies her blind devotion’ plot.

WE’VE SEEN THIS BEFORE. Specifically, when Lena was like. Framed or whatever but NOW she is, in fact, just as shady as all the evidence suggests AND YET.

AND YET.

‘She’s just hurting, I can still fix this!’

*so many alarm bells ringing, all the red flags flying*

I made this a few weeks ago, and never posted it, because at the time, I didn’t feel like there was enough evidence to support my concerns but:

Dude as bad as season 2 got, they at least were like, ‘hey, Kara has abandonment issues, let’s unpack that a little’.

All of this? Is simply All About Lena. 

(I wanna believe that there’s a little bit of forward movement re: Kara, given that she knows Lena framed Hope/Eve at the end but it’s STILL right there next to, ‘we gotta hope for the best! And save Lena’s soul!’)

NO. YOU. DON’T. LENA HAS TO DO THAT HERSELF.

Like. How can you go through the entirety of season 2, as well as Kara telling Mon-El off in season 3, only to repeat Kara taking responsibility for other people’s crappy choices? HOW ARE WE REGRESSING LIKE THIS. >:C

As for other stuff in this episode: Rama Khan was...there.

I’m glad Mrs. Wheeler is in charge now; I still think the Leviathan stuff is kinda weak overall, but Rama Khan in particular felt very ‘meh.’

(...I think maybe I just don’t like his costume.)

(Also I know they said Mrs. Wheeler’s actual name in this episode but I can’t remember it.)

I liked all of the Andrea stuff! 

Like that was genuinely Sad, at the end, when she used the contacts to revisit memories of Russell.

Russell, who appears to be very dead, which I find. Disappointing. 

(Side note: Crisis better look stunning because ‘chained to a pile of dirt’ and ‘trapped under a single slab of concrete’ was about the same level of Earthbending FX we saw in the live action Avatar: The Last Airbender movie.)

(So. Not great, Bob.) 

Poor Malefic has been sent to Mars, so. Guess we won’t be seeing him any more.

Ahhhh, but then, we have the CRISIS TIE-IN.

Which was pretty chill, actually. All things considered.

‘Good job on reconciling with your brother. Wanna save the multiverse?’

Also YAY, LEX IS BACK--A CLEAR-CUT VILLAIN WHO WE CAN ALL LOVE TO HATE WITHOUT A BUNCH OF PEOPLE JUSTIFYING HIS GARBAGE DECISIONS.

Okay I think I’m done yelling about this one! Can’t wait for the Crisis to come, and maybe erase this tedious arc from all of existence! 

Oh crap I just remembered that J’onn and Alex apparently need Lena’s help to save Earth-38...ugh.

[frangipanidownunder]

5 MSR head canons for the Bookshop or Coffeeshop AU?

1

The shop has been undergoing renovations for some time and there’s a poster in the window declaring the opening date for the weekend. The windows are papered so he can’t see in but the fascia is a series of vertical wooden strips and over the door, the same timber strips broken by large brass handles, there’s a sign that reads ‘Bloom’. At least it’s not another coffee shop, Mulder thinks. He heads over the road, to Bean, and orders a macchiato.

2

She’s been there all night, posing stems of dahlia ‘Arabian Night’ into flask beakers and rearranging the tiny white pebbles around her miniature succulent displays that sit inside bell jars of various sizes on the mantels around the sides of the shop. On the walls, she wipes the glass of timber-framed prints displaying dramatic water splashes, the silvery swirl of the milky way on a midnight background, super close-ups of the fuzzy copper anthers of daylilies.

           “Just unlock it, Danes,” Missy says, rubbing her hands down her apron. She starts lighting the candles set into white porcelain crucibles. Candles she’s made herself, soy wax, infused with floral oils.

Steam hisses from behind the counter. Dana checks her reflection in the surface of the refrigerator, tucks her hair behind her ears and pulls open the door.

3

Walt is standing, hands on hips, in front of the door of Bean. Mulder is next to him, looking across at Bloom. Where there are no buckets of flowers on the sidewalk, but he does spot a pair of young women, both redheads, just inside.

           “I thought it was a florist,” he says and follows Walt back inside.

           “These girls are going to put me out of business and do they care? I have spent my entire life working with coffee. What do they know? Nothing! One of them, she makes candles and tells fortunes. The other, she is a doctor. Why have they opened this shop?” The old man slams his hands on the counter. Sprinkles of brown sugar fly out. “Espresso?”

           Mulder’s suddenly not in the mood. Well, not for Walt’s bitterness. “I thought you were going to retire, anyway? Maybe this is a sign, Walt?”

           “Mulder, you want to believe that this is some kind of omen, knock yourself out. Me? I think it’s a conspiracy.”

4

Missy walks behind the counter and jabs her sister. “He’s coming in.”  Dana raises an eyebrow at her sister, but regains her composure as Mr GQ comes in. He looks at the menu, tapping his finger to his lips. His very plump lips. He’s wearing gold-rimmed glasses that sit on his broad nose, hiding the exact colour of his eyes. His hair flops over his forehead. He scratches at his jaw, fine and sharp.

           “Do you prefer to eat in or eat out?” Missy asks. Dana takes a sharp breath in, swinging round to concentrate on the pumping the lever on the machine.

           Mr GQ chuckles and takes a seat. Dana chances a look over. He’s studying a print of the Aurora borealis.

           “You should take his order,” Missy growls. “Like, now, Dana.”

           She walks over to him and he smiles up at her. Wide, toothy, meltingly disarming. She feels her stomach ripple. “Have you decided?”

           “There’s a lot to take in.” He holds up the menu and reads. “The magnesium in hard water sticks to eugenol, a chemical found in coffee. Our research has led us to believe that it’s not just the bean that flavours the coffee, but the water. At Bloom we offer the best of the best.” Removing his glasses, she sees his eyes are green. Then they darken as he speaks. “What’s your recommendation, Doctor…?”

              Her heart thumps. How does he know that? His eyes flick past her, to the door. Ah, Walt. Of course. “Scully,” she replies. “Depends how strong you like things, Mr….?”

              “Mulder,” he says, “Just Mulder. I like most things strong.”

5

He alternates his time between Bean and Bloom. Each offers a different experience. He enjoys Walt’s traditional service, theatrical stories, sticky pastries. But there’s something economical about Dana’s coffee, about the shop itself. About her. Where Bean is honest, and old-fashioned, warm and homely. Bloom forces you to think, to study, to understand.

              Missy has left for the day and Dana looks about ready to drop. “Can I interest you in dinner?” It’s a risk, but he’s all about jumping in head first.

              “Logically, I should say no,” she says. But she doesn’t. She follows him to the Wan Loy’s and they sit in the corner eating dumplings with chopsticks. 

              “Why coffee?”

              “There’s an art to it.”

              “I thought you were all about science?”

              “There’s a science to it too,” she says, sipping her wine. There’s a blush on her cheeks that sets his nerves tingling. “For instance, did you know that calcium and magnesium dissolve as charged particles in water? Most of the flavour compounds in coffee are negatively charged when dissolved in water, which means they are attracted to the positively charged metal ions.”

              “Opposites attract,” he says. “Interesting theory.”

              “You have another theory?” She does air quotes and he pours her more wine. Oh yes, he thinks. He has plenty more theories.

[gffa]

HEY, LET ME YELL ABOUT SOME STAR WARS SHIPS.  THE FLYING KIND THIS TIME.  One of the banes of my existences is loving the worldbuilding of a particular canon, but not having it laid out for me in a way that’s organized for me to easily find what I’m looking for at any given moment.  And flipping through (the sadly no longer canon, but still incredibly useful!) Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Incredible Vehicles (see here for info!) really helped me get my head around a lot of it and finally able to organize these pages into a more “easy to find what kind of vehicle you need for a specific type of scene” list! But what I really wanted was to see a canon reference guide organized into size/use sections, to better reference when I needed either a massive star ship or when I needed to know the name of a speeder a given character might use.  (This focuses on the Clone Wars era, but if you want Empire/Rebellion era or First Order era info, feel free to give me a yell.) Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles: MASSIVE SHIPS:   ➞ Republic Attack Cruiser -  “The war between the Republic and the Separatists leads to a demandfor larger and more powerful battleships.  The Republic Navy expands to include the Reupblic attack cruisers, massive warships often referred to as "Star Destroyers". (Venator-class Star Destroyers can carry more than 420 starfighters (including V-wings, X-95 Headhunters, and Jedi starfighters); 40 LAAT/i gunships; and 24 AT-ETs.)"   ➞ Acclamator-class Assault Ship (Transgalactic Military Transport Ship) - "These assault ships are a predecessor of the later Star Destroyers.  They are built for the Clone Wars, under false orders supposedly issued by the Jedi Council.  This is all part of Darth Sidious's evil plan to take over the galaxy.  (During the Clone Wars, Acclamator-class ships are stationed at Coruscant, ready to carry clone troopers across the galaxy.)(Unlike many craft of this size, Acclamator-class assault ships can land on planets, where they deploy Republic forces in an effort to retake the worlds from Separatist control.)(Each Acclamator-class assault ship requires a crew of 700 and can carry up to 16,000 clone troopers.)"   ➞ Malevolence (Subjugator-class Heavy Cruiser) - During the Clone Wars, General Greivious's huge flagship leaves death and devastation in its wake.  Its massive ion cannons disrupt the control systems of surrounding ships, disabling their energy weapons and deflector shields.  (Four times longer than a Venator-class Star Destroyer, the Malevolence has an internal shuttle train system to deploy supplies and troops and is crewed by 900 battle droids.)"   ➞ AA-9 Coruscant Freighter - "The AA-9 Coruscant Freighters are originally built to haul cargo.  During the war with the Separatists, the Refugee Relief Movement has them transformed into vessels that can help people in need.  The freighters transport [up to 30,000] refugees from planets that have fallen under enemy control."   ➞ Pelta-class Frigate (Republic Medical Frigate) - "During the Clone Wars, the Pelta-class frigate is a common sight at the edges of space battles.  It is used by the Republic Navy to treat injured clone soldiers.  The more honorable generals in the Separatist fleet usually don't attack it.)  Each Pelta-class frigate can carry up to 900 crew, and is equipped with 16 escape pods.  Phoenix Home is modified to include turbo laser batteries.)”    ➞ Invisible Hand (Providence-class Dreadnought) - “Commanded by General Grievous, the Invisible Hand plays a key role in the last great battle of the Clone Wars.  With the sinister Sith Lord Count Dooku holding Chancellor Palpatine prisoner aboard the failing ship, the Jedi Order must rush to the rescue.  (The Invisible Hand is a difficult ship to attack.  There are 20 squadrons of droid starfighters ready to defend it.  Count Dooku turns the ship upper sensor tower into his lair, calling it the "Wizard's Tower".)(The Invisible Hand is controlled with a droid brain.  This means that Anakin Skywalker can override controls and fly the ship.  It's still a bumpy landing!)"    ➞ Coronet (Personal Spaceliner) - “The Coronet is Duchess Satine Kryze of Mandalore's personal luxury spaceliner.  This one-of-a-kind ship is practically a spacefaring palace.  It serves as a testament to the engineering and wealth of the Mandalorians.  (The lower decks of the Coronet are used for cargo transport.  The ship requires a crew of 75, and has eight engines all working in unison.)" STARFIGHTERS:   ➞ V-Wing - "Small, fast, and agile, the V-wing starfighter is used late in the Clone Wars by the Republic.  With ltitle in the way of firepower or armor, V-wing pilots use swarm strategies to overwhelm their opponents, assisted by an astromech droid."   ➞ V-19 Torrent Starfighter -  "The V-19 is used during the early days of the Clone Wars.  It becomes a popular fighter for the rapidly expanding Republic Navy.  Originally designed to be a short-range fighter, the V-19 later underdoes a series of upgrades that make it suitable for much longer flights."   ➞ ARC-170 Starfighter - "This three-person starfighter is durable and reliable.  It carries a formidable arsenal, as well as sufficient supplies for five days.  It should come as no surprise that the ARC-170s rapidly replace the V-19s as the Republic's primary dogfighter during the Clone Wars.  (The ARC-170s are so dependable that both the Empire and rebel forces continue to use the starfighters after the Clone Wars.  They become the template for the first generation of X-wings.)"   ➞ Y-Wing - "Designed for bombing raids, the Y-wing is a sleek ship originally used by the Galactic Republic.  Y-wings find new life as starfighters for the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War.  Stripped of every non-essential system and endlessly repaired by rebel mechanics, they remain popular with Alliance pilots.  (The first Y-wings used in the Clone Wars have a gunner's station above the cockpit.  In later models, one operator serves as pilote and gunner.)"   ➞ ETA-2 Light Interceptor (Jedi Starfighter) - The ETA-2 Interceptor's popularity with the Jedi Order earns it the nickname the Jedi Starfighter.  It is one of the fastest and most responsive starships produced during the Clone Wars.  Almost every Jedi flies one, customizing the craft to meet their unique skills and requirements.  (The Jedi starfighter uses heavy weaponry, but the power drain prevents constant firing.  Most Jedi remove the sensors and targeting equiment to save weight and space.)"   ➞ Delta-7 Light Interceptor (Specialized Jedi Starfighter) - The Delta-7 is designed specifically for the Jedi and is in frequen use long before the Clone Wars beigin.  As more Jedi leave the temples to join the war effort, their combat ships are swiftly upgraded to keep pace with the enemy's crafts.  This prompts the creation of the Delta-7B.  (There are small improvements from the Delta-7 to the 7B.  The Delta-7 has a wing part for an astromech, while the 7B places the port in front of the cockpit.  The Delta-7B also boasts a tougher central hull that its predecessor.)"   ➞ Naboo Starfighter (N-1 Starfighter) - Bold and beautiful in its design, the N-1 starfighter is the signature ship of the Royal Naboo Security Forces.  Its forward section is clad in chromium for ceremonial display, and its sleek shape is as much an expression of art as aerodynamics.  (The Naboo starfighter's long tail acts as a power charge collector.  The similarly shaped engine tails serve as heat sinks.)"   ➞ Republic Frigate (Consular-class Cruiser) - "Used by the Jedi and the Galactic Senate on diplomatic missions before the Clone Wars, these cruisers are retrofitted as combat frigates when war breaks out.  Their upgrades include armored hull plating and laser cannon batteries.  (Republic cruisers that have undergone the Charger c70 retrofit for use in the Clone Wars are longer than those that have not.)" AIRCRAFT (SPACE):   ➞ Stealth Ship (Corvette with a Cloak) - "The Republic's stealth ship is able to turn invisible.  It is designed with an experimental cloaking device, which allows it to sneak past Separatist blockades.  As well as being impossible to see when cloaked, it is undetectable by scanners and sensors.  (The stealth ship cannot fire its laser cannons or proton torpedos while cloaked, but it can launch flares to confuse enemy tracking torpedoes.)"   ➞ Republic Tugboat - Republic Tubgoats are used during the Clone Wars to maneuver massive warships into docking ports at space stations.  These tugboats are low on shields and have no weapons but are equipped with powerful engines and tractor beams."   ➞ Turtle Tanker - "Originally designed to haul minerals from asteroid mines, the bulk tankers (commonly known as "Turtle Tankers") are cheap and easy to build.  This makes them a familiar sight in established space lanes.  However, their lack of weaponry makes them a rare choice outside of heavily trafficked areas."   ➞ T-6 Shuttle (Jedi Ambassador Shuttle) - "This innovative shuttle design has a lasting impact on starship technology.  It is built by the insectoid Verpine, and features rotating wings that allows the rest of the ship an exception degree of motion.  Members of the Jedi Order use the shuttles frequently."   ➞ Eta-Class Shuttle (Ambassadorial Transport) - These comfy shuttles are first used by the Galactic Senate for diplomatic missions.  Later on, they are regularly employed by the Jedi in the Clone Wars.  Robust and suited to long-range travel, an Eta-class shuttle is chosen for a mission in Wild Space beyond the Outer Rim. (An Eta-class shuttle comfortably seats ten passengers and two pilots.  There is also room for emergency transport, such as two Undicar-class jumpseeders.)"   ➞ Twilight (Corellian G9 Rigger Freighter) - The Twilight is originally the property of crime lord Ziro Desilijic Tiure.  It is later claimed by Anakin Skywalker, who puts it to use during the Clone Wars.  This old ship is conidered massively out of date, so Anakin spends a large amount of his free time upgrading the vehicle.  (The side of the Twilight is decorated with a cartoonish painting of young Anakin's podracing.  The ship's upgraded weapons system causes random color shifts in the lasers.)"   ➞ Crucible (Paladin-class Corvette) - "Custom-built for the Jedi in the time of the Old Republic, the Crucible has been in service for quite some time.  It is used in the training of Jedi younglings, who learn how to contstruct their own lightsabers from crystals while aboard."   ➞ H-Type Nubian Yacht (Shimmering Senator's Ship) - "This yacht is the personal transport of Senator Padme Amidala.  It is a luxury ship, designed for comfort rarthe than combat, but does have very powerful shielding in case of an attack.  The vehicle is coated in royal chromium, reflecting its owner's high status."   ➞ Naboo Royal Cruiser (Custom-build J-type Diplomatic Barge) - The invasion of Naboo convinces the peaceful planet to upgrate its diplomatic vessels.  Though it still travels without weapons, this barge is far faster and better shielded than the J-type Nubian starship that came before it.  It also boats a range of backup systems in case of malfunctions or sabotage.  (The J-type diplomatic barge has spacious interiors designed for comfort.  It has room for four prestigious passengers as well as up to five crew and six guards.)"   ➞ Naboo Royal Starship (Modified J-Type 327) - This sleek ship is crafted to be a visual representation of the glory of Naboo.  It has no weapons, but it is shielded in case of attack.  It also has multiple astromech units, each one capable of making emergency repairs. (This ship is exclusive to the royal family of Naboo.  It includes quarters for the Queen and her handmaidens, equipped with climate-controlled wardrobes.)"   ➞ Naboo Star Skiff (J-type Star Skiff) - “Weapons on a Naboo royal ship are unheard of until this vessel is manufactured.  It also has a duller, more practical finish compared to traditional gleaming Naboo ships.  Unfortunately, the Naboo have had to adapt their ship designs for the harsh realities of battle during the Clone Wars. (The J-type star skiff is designed and built for Queen Apailana, the monarch of Naboo, in the latter days of the Clone Wars.  However, the ship is also made available for Senator Padme Amidala, the former queen.)" AIRCRAFT (PLANETSIDE):  ➞ LAAT (Low Altitude Assault Transport) - "The dependable LAAT is one of the Republic's main deployment craft.  Heavily armrored and highly maneuverable, this war transport is often sent into combat under fire.  It can glide through a storm of lasers to safely land its cargo and troops."  ➞ Republic Attack Shuttle - With heavier armor and shielding than most atmosphere vessels, the Republic attack shuttle is a long-range alternative to the LAAT gunship.  It is replaced by other shuttle designs after the Clone Wars, but one remains in service of the rebel Cham Syndulla during the time of Empire. (The Republic attack shuttle has a tractor beam, which is usual for a transport.  It also has magnetic clamps on its underside to clasp cargo and other smaller vessels.  A variant Nu-class transport has an enclosed cargo bay built in between the wings.)"

GROUNDCRAFT:   ➞ Clone Turbo Tank - "This 10 wheeled tank can deliver as many as 300 clone troopers into the heart of the battle in one trip.  It is designed to roll over any terraing with ease and to absorb enemy fire with no loss of function.  After proving effect in the Clone Wars, the tank stays in use during the age of Empire."   ➞ AT-RT - "Fast, nimble, and powerful, AT-RTs are used furing the brutal land battles of the Clone Wars.  A single clone trooper will usually pilot these as a scout, ranging ahead of the battlefront and gathering intel for the main force."   ➞ Stun Tank - "This Republic tank is primarily an anti-aircraft weapon.  It's ion cannon drains energy from the ship it targets, leaving them helpless.  Despite being designed for use against droid vehicles, the tank sees little use during the Clone Wars."   ➞ AT-OT (All Terrain Open Transport) - "The imposing AT-OT has an open-top design, leaving it vulnerable to attack from above.  Their role during the Clone Wars is to quickly move troops, rather than engage in battle."   ➞ AT-TE (All Terrain Tactical Enforcer) - "The AT-TE looks more ilke a huge robotic insect than a military transport.  It is used during the Clone Wars to move large numbers of troops through battle, and to operate as a mobile command center."   ➞ SPHA-T (Self-propelled Heavy Artillery Turbolaser) - "Bearing one of the bigger ground guns used by the Republic Army, this 12-legged walker is a low but steady feature throughout the Clone Wars.  Its turbolaser can destroy a starship, but can only operate for a limited time.  This is because each blast uses up a vast amount of energy."   WATERCRAFT:   ➞ Naboo Water Speeder - "The serene lakes of Naboo are the planet's most famous sight, renowned across the galaxy for their peaceful vistas.  In their free time, the Naboo take luxurious pleasure speeders out onto the water, exploring the hidden coves and majestic waterfalls. (The D-11 is manufactured by the same company as the N-1 starfighter and the two craft share many design features, despite being built to operate in very different environments.) (The D-11 water speeders were build specially for the use of the queen and the royal household.  A selection of the royal boathouse is set aside for their recharging and maintenance, however Padme Amidala is less indulgent than some previous queens, and the D-11s are seldom used.)"   ➞ Tribubble Bongo (Gungan Bongo Submarine) - These semi-organic subarmines have hulls that are grown rather than built, so no two are exactly alike.  The Gungans equip them with hydrostatic bubble shields to keep the air in and the water out, and use them to explore the oceans of their home planet, Naboo." SPEEDERS:  ➞ Barc Speeder - "This powerful speeder bike is designed for use by ARC (Advanced Recon Commando) troopers, but goes on to be piloted by other Republic fighters during the Clone Wars.  Ideal for scouting missions, it is also used by police patrols on Coruscant."  ➞ Jedi Turbo Speeder (Praxis Mk. 1 Turbo Speeder) - "An elegantly designed turbo speeder, the Praxis Mk. 1 is piloted by members of the Jedi Order when traveling around the city planet of Coruscant.  Its thing, wedge-like design cuts down on wind resistance, and the navigation systems are programmed to bypass heavy traffic.  (The Praxix Mk. 1 turbo speeder is equipped with collision-detection systems to help its pilot avoid accidents.  Twin repulsor generators allow the ship to run upside-down in midair.)" PUBLIC & PERSONAL TRANSPORT:   ➞ CSS-1 Corellian Star Shuttle - “"Built for diplomacy rather than battle, the CSS-1 shuttle has an impressive meeting room and comfortable quarters for VIP guests.  It can carry up to 200 passengers, as well as enough supplies to last for three years.  It is also equipped with an unusually strong deflector shield.  (Shortly after his appointment to Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, Sheev Palpatine ant he Jedi Council travel together to Naboo aboard the CSS-1 name the Perpetuus.)”   ➞ Taylander Shuttle - The Taylandor Shuttles are civilian transport vehicles during the final years of the Republic.  They are a common sight amongst the peaceful Core Worlds, but are even found in the far reaches of the Outer Rim."   ➞ H-2 Executive Shuttle - "The senators and even Chancellor Palpatine are among the high-profile users of this luxurious ship.  Palpatine's model is docked to allow direct access from his chambers in the Senate Office Building on Coruscant.  It makes for a comfy escape craft if the building is attacked."   ➞ Theta-Class T-2C Shuttle - “These ships are built by Cygnus Spaceworks, under special order by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine.  They have never been available for purchase.  The model is eventually incorporated into the Imperial fleet, but only for the highest-ranking officers."   ➞ Luxury Yacht (Personal Luxury Yacht 3000) - "In the time of the Republic, diplomats use luxury yachts for meetings and travel.  They become less popular during the chaos of the Clone Wars, when they are seen as easy targets for pirates and Separatists.  (Luxury yachts are common vehicles in wealthier systems.  Built for comfort, they include a grand observation deck and a swimming pool, as well as five personal cabins for crew and guests.)" 

[tiny-opal-essence]

Pocket Paladin Chpt 1

Where are They Now?

While rescuing Shiro from the Galra, Lance is given a new perspective on life. How will everyone handle his new stature and how long will he be stuck like this? What does this mean for team Voltron? What are the villains up to?

or, Lance gets shrunk and shenanigans ensue.

(This is also posted on AO3 if you want to read it there)

“Look out, Hunk!” Lance said as he flew the red lion out of the way of the robeast.  The robeast spread its wings and brought them down, creating a hurricane-force wind tunnel aimed right at the yellow lion.

“Ooof.  Aaaaaah!” Hunk yelled as he was thrown around mercilessly by the wind tunnel.

“Are you alright, Hunk?” Allura worriedly asked while she brought down some of the Galran fighter jets using the blue lion.

“Ugggh.  I’m okay.  Just remind me never to do that again.  I think I left my stomach behind.” Hunk groaned out through the coms.

“I didn’t know that could happen to humans.  Do you need us to cover you while you go back and get it?” Allura asked.

“Oh, I didn’t actually leave my stomach behind.  It just means that my stomach is feeling upset.” Hunk informed her while he shot down another fighter jet.

“Why wouldn’t you just say that your stomach isn’t feeling well?” Allura questioned as she flew the blue lion out of the way of one of the robeast’s missiles.

“It’s an earth thing.  It’s a lot more fun to joke about it.” Lance explained as he shot down two fighter jets with the red lion.

“Now is not the time for jokes!  We have to keep the Galra’s attention on us while Pidge and Keith are on their ship.  They might be able to find out where the Galra are keeping Shiro and Pidge’s father.”  Allura snapped as she barely avoided getting caught in another wind tunnel that was unleashed by the robeast.

“Pidge, Keith.  How are things going on your end?” Hunk asked, including the other two paladins in the communication loop.

“I’ve almost downloaded the prisoner database here.  There aren’t any prisoners on board, so once we’re out you can open fire on the ship.  I’ve also got the ion cannon rigged to blow once we’re a safe distance away.” Pidge responded before going back to making sure that the Galra wouldn’t notice they were being hacked.

“How’s the robeast situation?” Keith asked.

“It’s going great!  You’re missing out on all the fun down here, Mullet.” Lance teased Keith while taking out yet another fighter jet.

“Will you stop calling me that?” Keith asked, annoyed at Lance’s comment on his hair.

“I will if you get rid of the mullet and admit that I’m a better pilot than you.” Lance smugly answered.

“Well we know that’s not gonna happen anytime soon,” Pidge commented with a smirk in her voice.

“Oh come on.  I’m a great pilot, right Red?  Ooof” Lance yelled as he was hit by one of the fighter jets.

“Heh.  You were saying?” Keith commented failing to hide his amusement at the situation.

“Oh shut it mullet.  You try flying a different lion than you’re used to.” Lance grumbled out.

“I am?” Keith reminded Lance.

“Oh yeah.  Well, at least I don’t have a mullet!” Lance exclaimed.

“Wow.  Great come back.  Can’t argue with that.” Pidge said with sarcasm evident in her voice.

“Paladins, please!  We have a mission to do here.  We need to focus on protecting the Vorurteil from the Galra empire, not on someone’s hairstyle.” Allura reminded everyone of the reason they were there in the first place while reprimanding Lance.  “We cannot allow any more planets to fall prey to the empire.”

“Don’t worry princess, Lancelot and his noble steed are on their way to save the day!” Lance said as he flew closer to the robeast to help Allura and Hunk.

“Good reference Lance!” Hunk encouragingly said as he shot down another fighter jet.

“Lancelot?  Who is Lancelot?” Allura asked as she froze a fighter jet before ramming into it and shattering it into space dust.

“You know, knight in shining armor, slayer of dragons, savior of princesses” Lance answered unaware of the missile coming right towards him.

Luckily, Allura noticed it and was able to push the red lion out of the way

“More like saved by the princess.” Hunk commented.

“Lance, are you implying that I can’t defend myself?” Allura asked.

“What? No!  You can take care of yourself.  Most princesses faint at the sight of danger, but you sure don’t.  You could kick my butt any day.”  Lance quickly said.

“Really?  Well in that case, it looks like you could use some more training.  That’s an extra half varga of training for everyone tomorrow.” Allura responded.

“Oh come on” groans and similar sounds came through the coms.  “Why should we all be punished because Lance couldn’t keep his big mouth shut?” Pidge asked.

“Because we’re a team.  We train together to win together.  What one individual does affects the whole team.  It is only fair that we share in their fate.”  Allura stated.

“Remind me why the girl with super strength is in charge of training.  Not all of us are Wonder Woman you know.”  Pidge muttered to herself.

“What was that, Pidge?” Allura asked, having not heard what she said clearly.

“Nothing.  Just saying that I could use some peace and quiet so I can focus on not alerting the Galra to the fact that we’re on their ship.” Pidge responded.

“Sorry, Pidge.” Everyone chorused.

Lance noticed that the robeast was aiming its missiles right at the yellow lion.  Hunk was distracted by all of the fighter jets swarming him and didn’t seem to be aware of it.  Not even thinking, Lance charged across the sky and slammed his lion into Yellow letting the missiles hit Red instead.  “Uggggh.  That’s going to leave a mark.” Lance groaned out.

“What did you do to Red?” Keith questioned.

“Nothing.  Sheesh.  We just got hit by the robeasts missiles.  She’ll be fine.  Stop backseat lion driving.” Lance answered.

“Can you two leave your little rivalry for later?  I got the database downloaded.  We’re on our way to our lions now.  Once we’re out, let’s form Voltron, defeat this robeast, and blow this popsicle stand.” Pidge said.

“We really should start naming the robeasts.  It’s hard to keep track of them.” Hunk suggested.

“I don’t think naming them is going to help us fight them,” Keith said.

“Yeah, but think how much better the story of saving Shae and the other Balmerans would be if instead of saying that we faced a robeast with lasers all over its arms we say that we fought the lazer squid.  It rolls off the tongue a bit nicer and adds a bit more of pizazz to the story.” Lance said as he used Red’s fire to melt through some of the fighter jets.  “Any suggestions for names for this one?”

“Yeah, how about shut up and focus Lance!” Pidge yelled through the coms as the Green and Black lions zoomed out of the Galra ship while the ion cannon exploded from the inside just as Pidge had told it to.

“Mmm good try, but I was thinking something more like the Terror-dactyl, cause it looks like a pterodactyl and inspires terror in its victims,” Lance responded.

“Good one, Lance.” Hunk commented.

“Could you please focus on the mission?  Honestly, it’s like dealing with a Glolnor.” Allura said, muttering the last part under her breath.

“Alright.  Let’s form Voltron and fight the pterodactyl.”  Keith said

“Keith, it’s called the terror-dactyl.” Lance tried to correct his teammate.

“That’s what I said.  The pterodactyl.” Keith responded.

“No, it’s…oh never mind.  We’ll work on it later.” Lance said

“Form Voltron!” Keith yelled as the paladins all flew in formation focusing on their bond as paladins.

“Did anyone see any weaknesses for this guy?” Pidge asked.

“Our lazer guns have some effect, but they aren’t able to pierce through the armor.”  Hunk answered.

“The most they could do is hold the creature at bay, but we can’t do that forever,” Allura added on.

“He didn’t seem to like Red’s fire.  Maybe we can try to draw him closer to the volcano over there.” Lance suggested.

“That’s…actually not a bad idea,” Allura commented.

“Why do you sound so shocked?” lance asked incredulously.

“Yeah, I mean, even a broken clock’s right twice a day,” Pidge said.

“Yeah, uh-huh, exactly.  Wait…” Lance started to say before he was interrupted by Hunk yelling

“Guys!  On our left!”

“Pidge, shield!” Keith yelled upon seeing the robeast’s missiles heading right for them.  The impact from them hitting the shield was enough to push back Voltron.

“That gives me an idea!  We can use my gun to force this guy up against the volcano, just like how he was able to push us!” Lance said excitedly.

“That could work, but you’re not enough on your own.  We need more power if we want to push this guy back.” Keith commented.  “Hunk, your weapon should work, so get ready.”

“I was born ready.”  Hunk said.

“Now!” Keith yelled as Pidge’s shield went away and Hunk’s canon emerged.  He fired at the Terror-dactyl and hit it dead on.

“Direct hit!  Nice shot, Hunk!” Lance called out as the robeast stumbled back towards the volcano.

“Thanks, I try.” Hunk said.

“One more hit like that should force the Terror-dactyl right next to the volcano,” Pidge remarked.

“He’s starting to get up, guys!” Lance exclaimed.

“Hunk, how long until your cannon’s charged?” Keith asked.

“Just a tic more and…ready when you are.”

“Ready, aim, fire!”

Most of the shots hit the Terror-dactyl, but a few of them missed and hit the side of the volcano.  Unbeknownst to them, this robeast still had one trick up its sleeve.  As Keith summoned his sword, the Terror-dactyl fired what looked like a net at Voltron.

“Really?  A net?  That’s the best the Galra can do?” Pidge commented with a smug look on her face.

Suddenly electricity flowed through the net that had Voltron in its clutches.

“What the cheese?  I can’t move!”  Lance yelled.

“Neither can I!” Allura said, with the rest of the paladins confirming that they were also unable to move.  “Somehow, this net must be able to immobilize Voltron.  We can’t get out!”

“What do we do, Keith?” Lance asked worriedly.

“I…I don’t know,” Keith responded, voice sounding small.

“What do you mean you don’t know?  You’re our leader!” Lance yelled on the verge of panic.

“That doesn’t mean I know everything!” Keith yelled back.

“Shiro would know what to do,” Lance muttered to himself.

“Well, guess what, Lance.  I’m not Shiro.  He’s not here.” Keith responded angrily, though that anger was more directed at himself.

“If you would please stop antagonizing each other perhaps we could figure a way out of this situation,” Allura interjected.

“Sorry, Allura.” They chorused.  Suddenly they were thrown in the air towards the base of the volcano.

“Uggh.  I still can’t move.  Pidge, do you think you can hack our way out of here?” Hunk asked.

“No.  Green won’t let me in.  The net is stopping the lions from doing much of anything.” She responded.

“Does anyone else feel like the ground is shaking?” Lance asked.

“Now that you mention it, yes,” Allura answered.

“I think the volcano’s going to erupt!  Hunk’s cannon fire and Voltron hitting it must have triggered it.” Pidge said.

“Can Voltron survive lava?” Hunk’s worry showed in his voice.

“For a short while, yes, but only the red lion can survive more than 5 dobashes.” Allura responded.

“So we’ve got 7 minutes until we’re toast.  Literally.”  Lance said.

“We’ve got to get out of here!  Can anyone move?” Hunk asked only to receive a chorus of “no” in response.

Suddenly there was a great sound of thunder as a plume of smoke rose up into the air.  Lava began to flow down the slope of the volcano all the while the robeast approached Voltron, ready to strike.

“It was nice knowing you all…and Keith.” Lance said.

“Really, Lance?” Keith said exasperatedly.

“Do you still have to pick a fight with Keith when we’re about to die?” Pidge yelled through the coms.

The lava was nearly upon them.  The Terror-dactyl roared in Voltron’s face as it steadied itself against the volcano and Voltron to aim its missiles right at the lions.  Before it could fire, the lava reached its hand that was on the volcano.  With an agonizing roar, it released its hold on Voltron and stumbled away.

“We’re free!  Let’s go!” Keith said as Voltron regained its movement and stood to take down the robeast once and for all.

“Your sword should be able to pierce through the armor,” Allura commented.

“It would be better if it were Shiro’s flaming sword,” Keith said dejectedly.

“Well, if all else fails, Hunk can always knock him back into the lava,” Lance suggested.

“Yeah, if we don’t get caught in that net again.” Hunk worried out loud.

“We won’t.  We know about it, so he no longer has the element of surprise.  We got this guys!”

“Everybody ready?  Let’s go!” Keith said as they approached the beast once more.

The Terror-dactyl had finished grieving over its charred skin and was ready to finish what it was created to do.  Voltron and the Terror-dactyl charged at one another.  The robeast fired its net at Voltron once again, but they were able to dodge it.  With a quick swing of the sword, the robeast was sliced clean through.  Its corpse fell into the lava that still flowed down the volcano.

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“The Vorurteil humbly thank you all for ridding our planet of the Galra.”

“It was the least we could do after receiving your message.  You must be Virelai.”  Allura said.

“And you must be Princess Allura.  Even here we have heard tell of you and Voltron.”  Virelai said at seeing her surprise at knowing who she was.  “Though I must say, the stories do not do your beauty justice.”

Allura blushed slightly at the comment before regaining her composure.  “Thank you, but we are not here to just exchange compliments.  We would be honored if you would be willing to join the Voltron Coalition.  Together, we will be able to defeat the Galra empire once and for all.”

While the two leaders were discussing, Lance looked over at Keith and noticed a thin line of blood flowing down his face.  “You’ve got something on your face, Mullet.”  He said while pointing at Keith’s cheek.

“I wish you would stop calling me that,” Keith said as he brushed away the blood with his hand.  “I must have bumped my head during the fight.”  He began to take off his helmet to better inspect the wound.

A wave went through the crowd as the Vorurteil nearest to them grabbed their rifles and pointed them at Keith.

“What is the meaning of this?” Princess Allura asked.

“He is Galra.”  Virelai spat out, fury evident in her voice.

The other paladins formed a circle around Keith to shield him from the crowd upon seeing their reaction to Keith’s ears giving away his Galran heritage.

“So what if he’s part Galra?  He is a paladin of Voltron!” Pidge exclaimed.

“A position for which his kind should never have been chosen for.” Virelai retorted.

“He risked his life to save your planet.  I believe the words you’re looking for are thank you.” Lance said.

One of the Vorurteil near them spat at Keith “I would rather die than be saved by the likes of them!”

“Okay, that’s a bit harsh there.  How about everyone puts their guns down so we can talk this out peacefully.” Hunk put his hands in front of him in a calm down motion.

“And leave ourselves defenseless for him to attack?” Another Vorurteil yelled out in the crowd.  “How do we know you aren’t working for the Galra empire?”

“I can assure you that we are not and will never affiliate ourselves with the Galra empire,”  Allura responded.

“And yet there is a Galra among you.” Virelai icily spoke as she narrowed her eyes.

“Keith is a valued member of our team,” Allura emphasized Keith’s name.

“Yeah!  He’s one of the good Galra!” Lance exclaimed.

“The only good Galra is a dead Galra.” Someone in the mob shouted.  Other voices echoed in agreement.

“Actually, that’s not true.  The Blade of Marmora have helped us out quite a bit.” Hunk continued trying to calm the crowd.

“And just who are the Blade of Marmora?” Virelai raised a hand to silence the crowd.

“They are a group of Galra who fight against the empire and among our most trusted allies,” Allura replied.  “Keith himself is a member, as was his mother.”

“How do you know that his mother and the others were not preparing him to be a mole on your team?” Virelai prompted.

“Well, that would be kind of hard for them to do given that my mother left when I was a baby.  I only found out I was part Galra a month, err, pheeb ago.” Keith responded.

“Yeah.  Don’t go around dissing the Blade of Marmora.  Without them, Voltron wouldn’t be here now.” Lance commented.

“If it were not for the actions of their man on the inside, Thace, Voltron would have been in the Galra Empire’s clutches.  All would have been lost.” Allura stated.

“Not to mention if Ulaz hadn’t freed Shiro, we wouldn’t have even found Blue at all.  Without the Blade, there would be no Voltron.” Lance added on.

“We owe everything to them,” Allura said.

There was indistinct murmuring though out the crowd before Virelai once more silenced them with a wave of her hand.

“If what you say is true, then perhaps there is hope for an alliance.  There’s just one problem.  How would we tell someone from the Blade from someone from the Empire?”

“If they truly are from the blade, they will have a knife like this,” Keith said as he held up his knife.  “They will also be able to activate it like so.” A purple light surrounded the knife as it transformed into a messer.  “Only those with Galra blood who have officially joined the Blade can do this.”

“Thank you for this information.  We thank you all once more for your assistance and would be honored to be included in the coalition.  I would also like to apologize for my people’s and my reaction to you, Keith.  We should know better than to judge based on what one is.  It is one’s actions that determine who they are.” Virelai said as she bowed her head to Keith.

“You don’t have to apologize.  I know how hard it can be to accept that there are good Galra out there when the Empire is doing such terrible things.  It took me some time to accept that part of myself.” Keith responded.

“It was an adjustment for everyone.  I was…less than welcoming to the idea.  The empire had destroyed my planet and my people among many others.  How could someone of their blood possibly be chosen as a paladin of Voltron?  I did come to realize that it was not Keith who did those things.  The people who committed those atrocities are long dead, save for Zarkon and Haggar.  I could never forgive them for what they have done, but their descendants I could seek reconciliation with.  I trust Red and Black’s choice in Keith serving as a paladin.” Allura stated.

“Both Lions chose him as a paladin?  Is that why he wears red yet pilots the black lion?” Virelai asked.

“Something like that.  Our true black paladin, Shiro, was captured by the Galra.  I’m just subbing for him until we find him.  I don’t like to think of myself as the black paladin.  I’m the red paladin and once Shiro’s back, I’ll go back to piloting Red.” Keith responded.

“Is that why some of the rest of your team’s colors don’t correspond with their lion’s colors?” Virelai prompted.

“Yep, you got it, pretty lady,” Lance responded.  “It has taken some getting used to, but the ‘paladin shuffle’ has held up.  We’ve had our struggles, but they help us grow closer as a team.”

“And we as a people are thankful for it.  You can count on the assistance of the Vorurteil in your fight against the Galra Empire.”  Virelai stated.

“Here’s a communicator.  If the Galra Empire comes back, give us a call and we’ll be happy to assist you.” Allura said as she handed the communicator to Virelai.

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“Greetings paladins!  How did the mission go?” Coran asked as the rest of team Voltron filed into the bridge of the castleship.

“It went well.  The Vorurteil have agreed to become part of the coalition.” Allura responded.

“How are the castle upgrades going?” Hunk asked.

“Quite well in fact.  Within a few varga, the particle barrier should be able to withstand more than a single blast from an ion cannon.”  Coran replied.  “I am sorry that I couldn’t provide any air support for you all on the mission.  My grandfather designed the ship to upgrade something only when the system was turned off.  If the ship had been there, it would have been a sitting…what was that animal you said, number 5?”

“A sitting duck.” Pidge supplied.

“Ah yes.  A sitting duck.  Quite the interesting creatures your planet has.” Coran commented.

“Well, if we’re ever in the neighborhood, we could make a pit stop and show you a duck,” Lance said.  “My family has a farm in Cuba, so there would be plenty of animals for you to see.”

“That would be smashing!” Coran replied.  “Is there any more news?”

“Not yet.  Shiro and Dad weren’t on board, but I did download their prisoner database.  I should be able to find a clue of some sort in there once I decode it.” Pidge said as she tried to stifle a yawn.

“That’s wonderful!  I wish you luck.” Coran exclaimed.

“Please do try not to stay up all night working on it.  Remember, extra training in the morning.  For every dobash one of you is late, it’s an extra 5 dobashes for everyone.” Allura reminded the team.

“Yeah, Lance.” Pidge snidely remarked.

“Hey, it takes time to look this good,” Lance said as he gestured to his face.

“You’re joking, rights?” Keith said with a small snicker.

“I wouldn’t expect some desert heathen to understand that moisturizer is your friend,” Lance said in a joking manner.

“Oh haha.” Keith said dryly.

“I can go whip up something in the kitchen if anyone’s hungry.  I think I’ve perfected space pancakes.” Hunk suggested.

“Woohoo! Breakfast for dinner is the best!” Pidge exclaimed.

“That sounds delightful, Hunk.  What are pancakes?” Allura asked.

“Wait.  You’ve never had pancakes?  They’re like one of the best kinds of food ever.  You haven’t lived until you’ve tried Hunk’s.” Lance responded.

“Yeah.  He makes the best pancakes in the universe.” Pidge added on.

“Aww, guys.  You’re gonna make me blush.” Hunk commented.  “But if I’m gonna make the ‘best pancakes in the universe’, I’m going to need a taste tester.”

“Called it!” Lance excitedly raised his hand in the air as everyone made their way to the kitchen.

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Before heading off to bed, Lance had finally gotten the chance to ask Coran about the creature Allura had mentioned during their battle on Vorteil.  The conversation was still floating through his mind as he tried to fall asleep.

“A Glolnor?  They’re brainless creatures from planet Gleedon.  Quite daft little things.  My grandfather said that some once tried to keep them as pets, but they had a tendency to become distracted.  Quite a few died because they were distracted from eating.  Can you imagine being that senseless?” Coran said with a chuckle.

“No, I can’t.” Lance said 

I guess that’s how Allura sees me.

“Why do you ask?”

Not wanting to say Allura had referred to him being similar to one of those creatures, Lance quickly said “Oh, I just read it in something in the library.”

“Ah.  It’s nice to see you contributing more to the team.”

Guess I don’t contribute enough.

Other bits of conversations started spiraling in his head as he tried to fall asleep.

‘Not enough.’ Keith said

‘Broken.’ Pidge commented.

No.  That’s not true. Lance tried to assure himself.

‘Shut up.’ Pidge spoke again.

‘Focus on the mission.’ Allura said.

I was.  I do focus on the mission.  I just have my own way of dealing with things. Lance weakly argued.

‘Stop antagonizing each other.’ Allura stated.

‘Worst pilot’ Keith commented.

‘Naturally dumb.’ Hunk said.

‘The only reason you’re here is that the best pilot in your class had a discipline issue and flunked out.’ Iverson barked out.

I know I’ll never be as good as Keith or any of them, but I’m trying.  Tears began to fall.  Why can’t they see that?

He heard a worried *Squeak* from his nightstand.

“Oh.  Hey, Chulatt.” Lance sat up as he brushed away his tears.  “What are you doing here?”

Chulatt started doing charades to talk to Lance.

“You’re worried about me?”

The space-mouse nodded with a *Squeak* of agreement.

“You don’t have to be, though it’s nice to know someone cares.”

Chulatt raised his hands in a grabbing motion.

“You want me to pick you up?  Okay.  Hop on.” Lance said as held his hand flat on the nightstand next to Chulatt.

The blue mouse climbed onto his palm and gave him a thumbs up.

“Alright, going up.” Lance raised his hand that was holding Chulatt.

The mouse held onto his thumb like a handrail.  Once he was in front of Lance’s face, he started hugging himself.

“You want a hug?”

*Squeak*

“Aww.  How can I say no to that face?”  Being careful not to squeeze Chulatt too hard, Lance lowered him to his chest and pressed him against it.

Chulatt nuzzled into the embrace as Lance began to pet him.  A few minutes passed as Lance continued to pet him.

“Thanks for worrying about me, but it’s getting late and I’m sure Allura and the other space-mice are wondering where you went.  You should probably head back before they miss you.  Oh!” Lance exclaimed as he brought Chulatt back in front of his face.  “Before you go, can you keep this between us?  I don’t want anyone else to know I was crying.  I know crying is not a bad thing, but please?  I got some mouse treats at the space mall.  If you don’t tell, I’ll give you one.”

Chulatt tilted his head to the side in a thinking motion before gesturing to Lance, crossing his arms and shaking his head, then moving his fists to his eyes and making a crying motion.

“You’ll think about it if I stop crying?”

*Squeak*

“Alright.  You drive a hard bargain, but I’ll try to stop crying.  You’re very persuasive for such a small mouse.”

Chulatt let out an indignant *Squeak* and stomped his foot on lances palm.

“Sorry, sorry.  For such a sweet mouse.”

Chulatt beamed at the praise as Lance placed him back on top of the nightstand.

Lance opened the drawer on his nightstand and pulled out the bag of treats.  He grabbed one out of the bag and handed it to Chulatt.

“There you go.”

*Squeak*

“You’re welcome.  Goodnight.”

*Squeak* Chulatt said before he dashed back off towards Allura’s room.

Lance tried to fall asleep once more.  The voices were still present in his head, but they were much quieter now.  He soon drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

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“Sir, the paladins were able to defeat the cruiser and the robeast.” Acxa informed Lotor.

“I would have expected nothing less of them.  Truly remarkable.  We have their leader, and yet they remain a force to be reckoned with.” Lotor responded calmly.

“There’s more.  The green one was able to access and download the prisoner database you put on the ship, just like you said they would.” Ezor added on.

“Perfect.  They’re playing right into our hands.” Lotor stated.

“Why did you put that on there anyway?  Now they’re going to know where all of our prisoners are.” Ezor questioned.

“It’s all part of the plan.  Besides, they’re only interested in two of our prisoners.  And of those two, they are more likely to go where they believe we’re holding their leader.  That location is the only accurate information in the database.” Lotor explained.

“I still don’t get why we couldn’t have gone there and bashed some heads,” Zethrid said as she cracked her knuckles.

“All good things to those who wait.  We can chase them in circles like a yupper chasing its tail, or we can wait for them to come to us.  They have something we need.  It would do us no good to destroy them at this point.”

“Ooooh.  Are we going to trade their leader for it?” Ezor asked.

“Something like that,” Lotor said with a smug smirk on his face.

Narti pulled up some of the security feeds from the cruiser the paladins had taken down earlier.  These cameras were powered remotely by their ship, so the paladins were none the wiser to being observed and mistakenly believed that they had shut down all security feeds on board.

“Narti’s right.  We should continue to analyze the security feeds of the paladins.” Acxa said.

“Yeah!  That way we know the best way to beat them in a fight!” Zethrid exclaimed.

“Remember, there will be a fight, but we will let them get away with what they came for.” Lotor directed at Zethrid.

“As long as I get to fight the princess again, I’m happy,” Zethrid said.

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Next          Masterpost

[dragonhardtthegolden]

this is mecha version of me

Mech: Mecha Dragon type-3 Nickname: Avalon

Armour: durable titanium and Steel mixed with an unknown metal to make it durable to hard kinetic blows Weapons: two Twin rail guns on the arms, Shoulder cannons, High energy eye beams, electric  Mouth beam, Sword hand and Chest cannon Upgrades: Can transform into a fighting mode, more humanoid and is equiped with a two handed war hammer, has larger cannons that fit on the arms that include arm blades, or chainsaw sword hands

Abilities: can shoot ion eye blasts, electric beams, rail guns, Automatic AA guns, Jet boosters, auto targeting system, a Shield generator, Size changing, a strong tail (that can shift into the hammer or spear) and A chest canon that can use a Absolute zero beam or a sun beam (both are take up a lot of energy)

Battery life: it can be in a fight for a day but if it uses extensive jets or the chest cannon too much it will run out of power

Second Pilot:? the soul of a Dragon is inside of the mech and can take over and recharge it by itself thought it is in control of the mech and no one else Backstory: this mech was made to combat Kaiju, aliens, Man  made monsters, etc etc. and it was built around the bones of a Large dragon Code named: Fafnir, this Dragon was 80 meters tall and 100 meters long, and the mech was the same size though only 80 meters long, and it has the fire power to drive any unwanted guests away, it weighs 40,000 tons and is surprisingly agile, however it has a very short battery and requires a group of pilots because of how many subsystems it has, though it is remote controlled and the bones make a simple AI.

Description: a somewhat Bulky body, with arms and legs to match though the tail makes up most of the length, it's head is that of the Norse Dragon Fafnir, though is more shaped like a traditional dragon, it's armor is painted Blue and Gold, the blue making up the body while gold for the weapons and underneath, its bipedal though has some what a Crunch to it, the legs and back have hidden jets to let it turn quickly and or to gain a charging speed.