Lions & Dreams  by Todadler  © 1986

Part 1, I Join Voltron Force

Part 2, Mystery of Lions

In archives of Arus, via computer links to other worlds, I seek information on Voltron’s past. I find plenty concerning Alfor’s work on Lions, but very little on Voltron before come he to Arus. I learn before - through cartoon - Voltron put under curse that turn him into five Lions. I find very little on Voltron before curse in other planets’ records, what I find sketchy, frequently contradictory. He come to galaxy long ago, help planets learn live together, work together in peace, defeat those who seek conquer other planets or spread injustice and tyranny. Then he retire for long sleep, records say. That about all on which records agree. Some records, especially old ones, for some reason refer to Voltron as "she." For centuries galaxy need him (her?) not, they have problems not they can solve not. Then Planet Doom attack, they need him. He arouse from rest, go confront Planet Doom, but Haggar trick him, disguise herself as goddess, try destroy him with curse, which split him into five parts. They land on Arus, where find King Alfor them in hiding places, learn they really parts of Voltron, devise computer, electro-mechanical, weapons systems so someday someone bring Voltron back to life. His work finished not when attack Zarkon Arus, but Coran send message to allies, they send five astronauts pilot Lions. Rest I know very well.
I check Arus’ records on Voltron Force missions. Many jibe well with episodes I see, but some quite different from how go episode. I find corresponding missions for some episodes not, some missions have corresponding episode not. I wonder, how pass tale of Voltron into my dimension? What power, what force carry knowledge of him from this Universe to my home continuum? Why pass some data basically complete, while other data get garbled, some stray ideas get in there, others get lost entirely, or just because it somehow entered mortal mind prone to mistakes, misunderstandings? More than that Doorway of Dimensions, else get we only Planet Doom’s side. Something very big, very old, very strange.
From time to time, when things quiet on Arus, I go to my antarctic lair use seeing-pool for my deadliest ability: nightmares. In my world I send nightmares into minds of dangerous enemies, here do I same. I concentrate on my foes, on Zarkon, on Lotor, on Haggar, on Cossack. I probe their minds, seek their worst fears. I ferret out what dread they most. To my delight I find they all greatly fear Voltron.
From time to time I return to lair when believe I Doom leaders sleep. I use seeing-pool seek out their minds, send my mind into theirs, attack them when they most vulnerable: when dream they. I use their dreams as weapons against them in psychological warfare, as always do I with dangerous foes. I twist their fondest fantasies into their worst fears, turn what love they, what covet they into terrible threats. In dreams I make their hopes come true, then cause fantasy turn into horror.
I enter mind of Lotor, recreate his favorite fantasy. He dream of Allura, with whom he obsessed. I make him dream Allura come willingly to him, say she decide her future with him. They embrace - then suddenly grow Allura claws! Before kiss Lotor her, her face become mine, hard, white, black about cherry-red triangular eyes, long snout like nose of fighter plane, sharky teeth, long red tongue. She claw at his back, he retreat in terror but can flee not. Allura change into my Stalker form, swagger toward him on bird legs, hiss: "Fool! You think Allura really come to you so willingly?" She stare into his horrified yellow eyes. She grow larger and larger, say: "What fear you above all - Voltron, no?" She turn into Voltron, grab him, hold him up as if prepare she drop him into her mouth as snack. "You think you so great - someday I will crush you!"
I return my mind to my body, to my antarctic lair, snicker to myself: "Take that, Lotor!"
In my dream state I sometimes try probe Voltron. No matter what do I, he elude me, he stop me. His power great, he hide his secret well. My best psi tricks all in vain. However try I squeeze past psychic barrier, Voltron block me. Each day he mystify me even more, each day I more determined learn his - or, perhaps, her - weird secret!
Sometimes in my dreams I see images of Allura in Black Lion. I know she fly Black Lion twice before, once they even form Voltron with her in Black Lion. Keith once tell her someday she Black Lion. Perhaps, as daughter of King Alfor, someday become she leader of Voltron Force. I decide watch her as pilot of Black Lion. I understand Lions better than any other Voltron Force member, so I best one teach her controls of Black Lion.
I tell others what plan I. Nanny object to her going out, just flying around, say: "It’s no way for a young girl to spend her time! Especially a princess!"
So start Nanny and I into one of our arguments. I fight with her constantly. To me she definition of old foagie. I respond: "Allura young girl not - she woman. She old enough make her own decisions. She decide learn fly Black Lion, she have every right. You think only purpose of princess sit around, look pretty? She need protect her people as well as govern them. Days when do males all ‘dirty work’ long over on Arus, Nanny. You live in past if think you princesses supposed fight not."
"Will you stop it! She’s my responsibility, not yours."
"She member of Voltron Force, so she responsibility of Voltron commander. Todadler fly Black Lion, so Todadler leader, she my charge." I spread my cobalt blue feathered Stalker wings for emphasis. "You lose her to Voltron long ago, Nanny. Time you face fact she her own person."
Nanny glare at me. She like my pulling rank on her not. "But she’s not supposed to be running around in those Lions. She’s supposed to be carrying out her duties as a royal princess."
"She carry out duties of royal princess by protecting her people as pilot of Blue Lion. You think rulers need only govern? They need defend their subjects from enemies, too. Someday, perhaps Allura commander of Voltron Force, since she daughter of King Alfor, she need know how fly Black Lion."
Nanny furious. She say: "Just who do you think you are, telling me what the Princess is supposed to do?"
"Since when write nursemaid castle rules?"
Nanny really pissed now. She glower at me, I growl at her, spread my long blue tail. She say: "Don’t you growl at me! When you are in the castle you are supposed to use your best manners, and that means no growling."
"Todadler growl when please she, where please she, at whom please she. Nobody tell me what do, or make me go against what sense I best for my friends."
Allura: "Please, please, you two! Stop fighting! Todadler’s right - I should know how to fly the Black Lion. I need to be able to defend my people as well as lead them."
Todadler: "See? Allura know what best for her. She princess, you just commoner. She outrank you. Besides, she grown up now. You can order her around no longer, Nanny. Time for her fly with her own wings - and Voltron’s wings."
She travel to Black Lion, I fly to pedestal, join her in great craft. I tell her Nanny pain in tail. Allura agree, say: "She’s so sweet, but she can be terribly bossy. She still can’t accept the fact that I’m not just a little girl anymore. She just doesn’t accept the fact that I have the right to be my own person."
"You have great will, Allura, you smart, wise. You make excellent queen when come your time. Someday, Todadler know, you will fly Black Lion as leader. Keith say so once, after first time you fly it."
"Yes, I remember that. I felt so ashamed afterwards, because I let them down. But they really came out on my side in the end. They let me know I am a member of the team as much as any of them. I really felt good after that, as good as I’ve ever felt."
"Today you get plenty reason feel good. You learn fly Black Lion under best Lion pilot in Universe."
She sit in pilot’s seat, strap in, I hang on behind her. She insert key, Lion come to life, we take off. I give her pointers as practice we maneuvers, shoot at targets, dodge missiles. I tell her how try I probe Voltron, how block he my efforts - I say: "He have more, much more, to him than what put your father in him. Perhaps when finally learn I his secret, perhaps I will learn whence come he, how come-about he in first place."
I tell her about my visions when see I her in Black Lion, say: "Todadler know they visions of future."
"You can see into the future?"
"I see only trends. What see I what come about not necessarily, but what current trends perhaps bring about. All Todadler see possibility, future cut and dried not. Past fixed, but future uncertain - web of possibilities. Each trend ramify into innumerable possibilities, each potential future. I perhaps see many such potential futures with you in Black Lion. But I see you as pilot of main Lion, commander of Voltron Force."
"Can’t you use your ability to see future trends to learn Voltron’s secret?"
"No. He keep his secret well hidden. Nothing I can do will ferret it out. He have great power in him, if keep he his secret so well protected. Especially with nagh-kaar riki after it!"
We practice until past noon, return to Castle for lunch. I expect Nanny launch into me again, but she avoid me. She perhaps want me as adversary not. She really nice lady, I like her - but let subject of Allura come up, we fight like lions. She always lose. She not nearly as fast in head as I. Ordinary human against nagh-kaar riki like ordinary robot against Voltron. She like Allura in Voltron Force not, but Princess part of team. I often hit her soft spots, she resent it. On top of that, I have plenty chutzpah.
Keith tell me he appreciate my taking time train Princess fly Black Lion. He agree with me, perhaps someday she have need fly main Lion, lead Voltron Force. I tell him someday we ought have dry Voltron run with her in Black Lion, though know I once before they do Voltron with Princess at helm. Keith say that good idea for next practice session. Nanny remain silent. I feel she want friendly terms with me.
Next day Allura and I fly more in Black Lion. While we out, Keith call us back to castle. He tell us Planet Doom attack peaceful planet Kenos, ally of Arus. We decide help them. I take Blue Lion key - time for Allura fly Black Lion in combat. She do that before, but under me not.
We fly to Kenos, find large Doom force there. This planet, I learn on way, peaceful, quiet, backwards planet, inhabited by people who want low-tech lifestyle. Kenos not too far along spaceways from Arus - perfect place for Zarkon set up base from which stage raids on us. I have feeling they hide robeast there, too.
We arrive, we greeted by Doom fighters. Lions give them plenty trouble. I keep in telepathic contact with Allura, help her with Black Lion even while pilot I Blue Lion. I find learning controls of Blue Lion no problem, since I learn controls of Red Lion, Black Lion so quickly. Each Lion different, but controls basically same, Black Lion’s somewhat more complex.
We blow away Doom fighter ships, head for surface of Kenos. We search for Zarkon’s base, find it soon. We prepare for big fight - they want Lions on top of them not, when base finished not. Sure enough, along come Lotor’s command ship, several squadrons of more powerful fighters.
I have plan. Via telepathy I tell others. Lotor know not, I in Blue Lion, he always try capture Allura alive. I get deliberately careless, perhaps, but not so he suspect something, so he can snag my Lion, think he have Princess, get nasty surprise, ha ha!
We fly at attack squadrons. In dogfight I fly fairly close to Lotor’s ship when see I opportunity, hope he take advantage of my "carelessness." After battle continue for while, Lotor move in closer to base. We have less room to maneuver. I get "careless" once more. He take bait. I feel Blue Lion snared in traction beams. I hear Keith think/say: "He’s fallen for it! OK, everybody remember, we’ve got to pretend he really does have the Princess."
Lotor call on radio: "Don’t get too close, or something nasty might happen to your Princess!" I know, they know, Lotor harm Allura never, deliberately, but we all string along. Other Lions retreat. I assume form of Allura while Blue Lion drawn into Lotor’s ship. Now, Lotor, think I, you get girl - ghoul, rather - of your dreams, hee hee!
Troops secure Lion in hangar. Lotor order me out. I get to my feet, act afraid. He confront me, come toward me slowly. I stand still. He say: "At last you are mine, Allura! At last I have you for sure! And this time, you have no way out!"
"You fiend! My friends will find a way to rescue me!"
"You fool! Your friends can’t help you this time! Even that Todadler creature can’t do anything!"
"Do with me what you wish, but don’t harm my friends. Or my people." I make my voice bit firmer: "I will serve you only as long as you treat my people well."
"We’ll see about that! When you are my queen, you won’t care. You will have all the riches and power of the Universe at your feet. Whatever you desire, I will get for you."
"Except freedom."
"Bah! You and your foolish sentiment! Someday you will realize that the only way to enjoy power is to get rid of your sentiment. My father didn’t become King of Planet Doom by being a goody-goody fop!"
"Someday, Lotor, I hope you will realize there is more to life than power, that there is more to me than my beauty! Someday you will regret not caring for your subjects as I do!"
"Nonsense!" He almost in reach of me. I take step backwards. "You have nowhere to run, Allura! Your future lies with me!"
I put expression of pure horror on my face. He grab me, say: "Admit it, Allura - you are mine!"
I hiss: "You mega-fink!" in his face. He glower at me. "You dare insult the crown prince of Planet Doom? But you are too beautiful for me to harm. I will put up with your sharpest curses."
He make for kiss me. I say: "Yessssss. I dare insult crown prince of Planet Doom!" I reveal my true face. His eyes open wide in fear. Now hug I him! I claw his back as assume I Queen-of-Nightmares form. I hiss at him, lash his face with my eely tongue. "Lotor want kisses from Allura, no?" He try struggle out of my grasp. "What matter with little Lotor - he like new girl friend not? In my home Universe I Queen of Nightmares - perfect companion for Prince of Doom, yesssssss."
"NO! Get away from me!" He twist out of my clutches. I take to air on my red bat wings. Lotor try flee from hangar, I pursue him, swoop at him, with one swipe claw out his eyes. As fly I away, I hear him scream in agony: "That fiend! She has blinded me!"
I assume Stalker form, leap on top of Blue Lion. With eye lasers I burn away claws holding Lion’s legs. I will hangar doors open, clamber into cockpit of Lion. Off go I, leave wounded and very furious Lotor.
I rejoin my pals. I tell them what do I. Now take-care we of base. We swoop down, blast away at buildings, weapons, ships, structures. They fire missiles, lasers at us, we dodge them. We reduce base to rubble in short order. But Lotor, though he blind now, want last word, of course. Just as suspect I, he have robeast waiting in wings.
I call to others: "OK, kiddies, time for main attraction! Allura, you in Black Lion, so you call shots!"
Her voice bark over radio: "Ready to form Voltron! Activate interlocks! Dynatherms connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters are go!" Together shout we: "Let’s go Voltron Force!"
Up go we into sky. I feel power crackle out between Lions, through me, my Lion. I feel legs of Blue Lion retract. I feel power as before, except from different angle, since I in different Lion. I realize Blue Lion over years know five different pilots: first Sven, then Allura, Keith couple times, Lance once, me this time.
Allura’s voice come again: "Form feet and legs!" I feel Blue Lion’s body swing up as become body shin and head foot. "Form arms and torso!" I sense Green and Red Lions joining Black Lion. Then Blue and Yellow Lions link with Black Lion’s rear legs. "And now I’ll form the head!" Now we Voltron, with Allura lead us!
Big robeast look like fat green gorilla with beady black eyes, yellow fangs. I sneer. You think you hot stuff, you overgrown monkey machine? To Voltron you lunch!
Robeast greet Voltron with blast fire. Phooey, think I, that just enough give Voltron bath. We can take heat, ha ha! It see Voltron affected not, it reach behind it, pull out two shafts. Shafts link, become long spear. Nasty-looking spear. It charge Voltron, he jump.
Robeast confused. Nyah-nyah, say Voltron, think I as land he behind robeast. It turn, charge us. Allura say: "Grab that spear!" Voltron sidestep monster, seize spear with left hand. Good work, Pidge, think I. Spear break in two. Now robeast real mad. It smack Voltron in side with its half of spear, knock him off balance. Hunk and I finally manage help him get footing again.
Robeast have other nasty surprise. It pull out two wicked curved swords. So sucker fight Florentine, think I. But Voltron’s one sword beat your two any day.
King Kong robeast show off with swords. Voltron decide show off with some of his own tricks. He hit it with astroblasters. Robeast respond with fireballs from mouth. Voltron like that not. Robeast rush us.
Allura call: "Form Blazing Sword!" Now we ready for real action! Voltron and robeast duel among ruins of Doom base. Blades flash, slash, clash. Two opponents score small hits on one another, but nothing big yet. For moment they seem equally matched.
Suddenly attack squad Doom fighters! So they want ice their cake, think I. Time finish this scrap. Voltron make mighty leap over robeast. As whirl it, Voltron leap again, come down with overhead attack. Blazing Sword cut robeast in two. That finish it. Now handle we fighter craft. Between eyebeams and lion torches, Voltron make hors d’oevres out of Doomblasters in short order. Leaders’ ships make their getaway. Chalk up one more to Voltron, Defender of Universe!
People of Kenos come out in throngs to cheer. I call to Allura: "Excellent job, Allura! Not just for Princess, for anyone! Now know I when come your time, you make superb pilot of Black Lion, leader of Voltron Force." Keith join in with: "You were fantastic, Princess! But I don’t want you flying the Black Lion anymore."
Allura: "Why not?"
Keith: "Because you might get to be a better pilot than I!" We all laugh.
Allura: "Well, I did have a little help--"
We climb down, meet Kenosians. Many of them shy away from me. I blame them not, I lovely thing not at all. Not in their eyes, with head like shiny white cockpit of spaceship with glowing red triangular eyes and tetrahedral canards, mouth full sharky metal bloodstained teeth, torso and arms in flat black metal-looking armor, legs, feet, wings, tail of great blue parrot, flat black metal shins.
Keith assure natives I friendly. He tell them how help I Voltron, since Lance hurt, Sven missing. Some of them gather their courage, approach me, shake my hand. They thank me, I tell them I enjoy my task here in their Universe. More and more approach me now. I need plenty getting-accustomed-to.
While get-know Keith and others Kenosians better, I decide try fathom Voltron again. This time have I plenty time, Voltron all together. Perhaps now will discover Todadler secret of his strange power.
I meditate on top of Voltron. I probe deep, open my mind wide. Still nothing. I probe deeper, expand my mind throughout his body. Still get I near enough not. Still block he me. Still get I only weak, tantalizing tastes of his power. Still what data I get enough not. I need more. I need - need distill his very essence, from that learn his secret.
Later return we to Arus, again triumphant. Keith tell me he tell Kenosians about me and my quest for Voltron’s secret. They consider me weird, but they welcome my help.
I tell my companions of surprise I give Lotor. Hunk ask me: "How come you didn’t kill the creep when you had the chance?"
I reply: "That up to--". I stand, cross arms over chest, thrust forth hands, make roaring noise. Pidge say: "Gee, I wonder who that is!" We all laugh.
I go to my secret lair in Arusian antarctic concentrate again on minds of enemies. My last nightmare work so well, so apropos, such lucky timing! Right before have I my fun with Lotor, I send him that juicy nightmare about Allura. Now prepare I attack his nasty associates. But while send I my mind out determine if any of them sleep now, I pick up strange vibrations. Desperation, anger, likes of which I detect before never. I focus my concentration on their source. Throne room of Castle Doom appear in my vision. Zarkon on Lotor’s case! All because I blind him!
I zero in on them with seeing-pool. Zarkon say to Lotor: "Do you really expect me to have pity on you just because that she-demon Todadler clawed your eyes out? You’re no use to me blind! Get out of my sight! You are a failure!"
Cossack: "But sire, have you forgotten our agreement?"
Zarkon: "Screw that agreement! Lotor will be a burden to us without his sight. Haggar, have him dumped on a forlorn place of one of our distant planets so we’ll never be troubled by that fool again!"
Guards grab Lotor, carry him onto spaceship. I follow them with my mind. My spirit fly with them so I find planet where take they Lotor. Why do I this? I feel sudden pity for him. Why? He so nasty, so cruel, so evil - but he deserve this not! Nobody wholly evil - or wholly good for that matter. I know he have decency in his heart, decency and kindness, for he go out of way save Allura, he rather lose battle than lose her. He have that one redeeming feature. I have plan. If show Voltron Force - especially Allura - kindness and mercy to him, perhaps we will bring out his decent side.
I will my essence across space as follow I Doom ship to forsaken planet. They dump Lotor in middle desolate field. I wait until ship long gone. As prepare I will myself across space, though, another ship appear. Who this? I watch see what develop now.
Small ship land near prone Lotor. Out come Queen Merla. Of course! She come rescue Lotor, but where take she him? According to cartoon she turn good, so she help him. She love him, I believe.
How find she him? Matter not - at least Lotor in good hands. But I feel best she bring Lotor to Arus. Tremendous concentration necessary watch scene from so far away mean I can use telepathic suggestion not. I can only hope Merla will bring Lotor here.
Merla pick up Lotor, say: "It’s OK, Lotor - it’s me, Merla. I’ll get you off this planet and take you to where you’ll be safe. And I know the perfect place."
I follow Merla’s ship. Soon realize I she on course for Arus! Excellent!
I break trance, teleport back to Castle of Lions, tell Coran we have company coming. I explain what see I in seeing-pool.
Shortly afterwards, Merla’s ship land. She carry Lotor up to Castle. Coran uncertain about all this, but I assure him he can trust Merla. He let her bring Prince of Doom into castle. We lay him on bed, I will dirt, infection out of his empty eye sockets, bandage them.
Allura come along, say: "He looks so peaceful, somehow - so harmless. I can see why you felt sorry for him."
I reply: "Todadler confident, we show him kindness, that will bring out his decency, what call you goodness. All people have both ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in their hearts. No matter how pure one’s heart, evil in it. No matter how black one’s heart, good in it. Lotor’s better side need only proper stimulation, it come forth. You, Allura - you bring it out in him. You too, Merla, perhaps. After all, you reject evil, become nice person." To Allura I say: "He go to great lengths avoid harming you. You nice to him, that most effective. You perhaps best one help him mend his ways, yes. But you help too, Merla - you know way."
I keep eye on Lotor most of day. Toward evening he finally start come around. Merla and I go to his side. He mutter Allura’s name. I motion to her. She go to Lotor’s side. "Lotor?"
"Princess Allura? Is that really you? What - what happened to me?"
Allura take his hand, say: "Don’t be afraid, Lotor. You’re safe."
"It can’t be true! I must be dreaming. You would never rescue me. Besides, how could you know where my father’s soldiers took me?"
"Merla is the one who rescued you. She must have followed the ship you were taken on. Then she brought you here to Arus, to the Castle of Lions."
"I certainly hope I don’t wake up from this dream."
Merla: "It isn’t a dream, Lotor love. Voltron Force is going to help you, and so will I. We will teach you to be a nice guy."
Lotor grumble, but he stop short. Something perhaps click in him. "A nice guy! I’ve often wondered what it’s like to be good."
I speak up: "Difficult not, Lotor. You just think about others as much as think you of yourself. You care for others, you look after them, you do nice, helpful things, you respect other’s rights. Difficult not. You smart man, you learn quickly. Merla learn on her own, after all. Allura and others will show you how."
Lotor: "Todadler! Is that you?" He stiffen with fear. I sense his dread. I touch him gently, he squirm. I broadcast calming vibrations, he quiet down, say: "I don’t understand it - all of a sudden I’m not afraid of you." I explain my ability remove fear as well as inspire it.
"Are you good, Todadler?"
"We nagh-kaar rikani above what call you ‘good’ and ‘evil.’ At least we like think we that way. We see Universe in many colors, beyond mere black and white. We know cosmos have absolutes not - only in mathematics. We strive for harmony, proper balance between extremes of life - balance between self and others, between rights and duties, all that. But I tell you more later. First you learn nice."
I leave Allura, Merla with Lotor. Baddies have one fewer help them now. We in meantime perhaps gain new ally - or two, if stay Merla on our side. I detect much decency in Lotor. It lie dormant, but I know it there. I feel it rise towards surface in presence of his two lady friends. His love for Allura - selfish, possessive love, but perhaps it will turn into respect, concern - real love.
Next few days I concentrate on Lotor’s eyes. They grow gradually as send I my healing vibes into his head. Allura and Merla take turns looking after him. Soon can tell I he recover completely from my attack. I prepare remove bandages from his face. Allura dim lights in his room, stand so when look he, she first thing he see. I tell him close eyes, gently remove I bandaging. He open his eyes slowly. He behold Allura. She smile at him, say: "Welcome to Planet Arus."
I sense something in Lotor. Something - happen. Something very deep, very subtle, very powerful. Something change deep within him. That something slowly flow to surface. I watch him closely. Expression on his face - he have expression like that before not, at least not when see I him.
He have hope, yes.
Lotor finally say: "I don’t understand."
Allura: "You don’t understand what?"
"Why. Why you have been so kind to me when I have been so cruel to you and your people, constantly attacking your world, trying to snatch you away from your planet. Why, when I was thrown out by my father, you welcomed me and Merla into your castle after all the evil we have done." I feel that something flow to surface with greater force now.
"As Todadler said, no matter how mean and evil we are, we have some niceness and kindness in our hearts. You certainly do, since all the time you were trying to conquer Arus you took pains to avoid harming me. Todadler can sense that positive side of you, and that’s why she told Coran to let Merla bring you here."
Lotor can speak not. He shudder bit. I sense intense emotion. Catharsis. He feel terrible sorrow, sorrow for Allura, shame for what do he to her, to her world. I feel flow gain strength, from trickle to torrent. Now come it to his face. He start cry.
Allura hug him, say: "Yes, you did do awful things. But that is in the past. You can’t change the past, but the present is in your hands, and you can change it for a better future. You can be a decent, caring person. As Todadler said, it isn’t that hard to be good. You will learn quickly. I know you will." She hold him gently in her arms. That moment seem fix itself in time, so though it last but few seconds, stay forever. For me time seem slow. I sense intense emotion flow all around, through two of them.
Then I sense something unpleasant. Somebody like this scene not! Who? Merla! She try look sympathetic, but I sense green-eyed monster.
Following day Lotor feel better. I say time he up and about. We show him around castle. In afternoon we talk, he tell us much about his past. He tell us he know little about his mother, as die she when he still quite young. He saw from what hear he she very kind woman, noble from one of Doom’s colonies. He explain Doom have two indigenous intelligent races, "blue" race and "gray" race. Lotor have blood of both races, as his father rare variant of gray race, with fan-shaped ears, broad build, while his mother of blue race, most beautiful, charming. Zarkon love her dearly, but after Lotor born she become quite ill, recover not. Lotor feel his father blame him for loss of his beloved queen, thus neglect he his son.
On Planet Doom nobody really care for Lotor. He get training, education, he learn about war, glory, conquest, he learn only violence, hostility. He learn caring and kindness not. He learn only fight, desire power. As get he older, he have less and less liking for his father, more and more desire for his throne, start view his sire as obstacle, seek ways prove himself more fit to rule than his dad. But when bring we him here, suddenly understand he caring, kindness, love. Now understand he meaning of mercy. Now everything different. He seek throne no longer. He care for power not, for war not. Now care he for us, his new friends, his first real friends. None of us playing pieces in power game, like his former associates.
Coran come, tell us Lance ready come home. He will recover rest of way at Castle of Lions. I tell him we have surprise for him. Lance see our new friends, say: "Don’t tell me that’s Prince Lotor and Queen Merla you have with you!"
Allura: "Yes, it’s Lotor. And please call him just Lotor. He’s dropped the prince bit. Merla’s turned out to be our friend, too. I can assure you they aren’t the same old Lotor and Merla you’ve tangled with before."
Lance: "Well, this should be interesting."
Lotor: "Yes. The two of us will have to be re-acquainted. I know you’ll like the new me."
Lance: "Anything would be an improvement on the old you."
Lotor chuckle. "I guess so. And I’ve changed quite a bit. I’m a friend of the Voltron Force, and of Todadler. So is Merla - she had a change of heart some time ago."
We decide throw party in Lance’s honor. We make plans for decorations, food, entertainment. I offer help decorate castle - my psi powers, power of flight come in handy for that task.
We spend several days in preparation. Lance brave fellow, special fellow, deserve special homecoming party. I know he glad get out of hospital. We line up all royal staff help with celebration. Many people from many planets we invite welcome Lance back. We receive message from even Stride, legendary Tiger Fighter, he accept invitation. We prepare places for guests stay, for parking of spacecraft. I have big fun decorating dining and dancing areas. Lance get one hell of reception, we know!
In meantime news of Lotor’s reformation spread rapidly. I know Zarkon and company have snit fits when hear they about it. People of Arus have varying opinions on this matter. Some welcome him, others still fear and hate him, say our move foolish one, only matter of time before turn he and Merla back to evil. But many say they really nice people now, perhaps they become citizens of Arus someday. I listen to their news, know inside myself Lotor will prove he change for good.
But something about Merla bother me. Whenever Lotor and Allura together, she like it not. She love Lotor, but he lukewarm to her - Allura have his heart. I foresee trouble ahead. In my visions I see Merla perhaps become enemy, so I watch her closely.
On day Lance scheduled return to Castle of Lions, we out frolicking in fields around castle when suddenly attack Doomblasters. Appear folks from Planet Doom want crash our party. Well, such nerve! We will show them thing or two! We decide give them special reception - Lionize them, heh heh! But when gather I my friends, suddenly realize we Pidge missing! Worse yet, when reach we Castle Control, we learn all power in castle dead. Elevator to launch area rise not. Something prevent transport from working!
Coran tell us force field around castle. Many other castle functions shut down. They kick in emergency power, but still only essentials work. Castle defenses function not. We helpless!
Uh-uh, say Todadler. I assume Queen-of-Nightmares form, take off greet Doomblasters. I fight their ships well. I lash with lasers, cold breath. I take out many enemy ships, but so many come. I seek source of force field that shut down castle. I find it in space, high above Castle of Lions. Then I sense trouble below. My friends in immediate danger! I get my friends out of hot water first, stop force field later.
I claw down few more ships, dive into moat out of sight. I reconnoiter castle grounds with my mind. I sense most unwelcome presence near castle: King Zarkon! He dare foul Castle of Lions with his presence. Such nerve! I decide teach him meaning of chutzpah!
I assume Stalker form, sneak up on my foe. With robot and Doomian soldier escort around him, he confront Coran and Allura at entrance to Lion Castle. I make sure I seen not, tiptoe up behind Zarkon. I hear him say: "Well, well, if it isn’t my dear son! Siding with the Voltron Force, are you? You’ll regret this, you little renegade! I’ll have you back under my thumbs in no time, since you new friends can’t protect you! Ha ha ha ha ha!" While demand he surrender from Coran and Allura, I grab edge of his robe, do fake nose-blow in it.
At first Zarkon too shocked by my rashness to do anything. I wave hello at him. Finally say he: "Why, you little..." Rest of what say he for tender ears not! I stick out my long tongue, twaddle ears at him. He glower at me, say to soldiers: "Get her! Make her pay for this insult, and dearly!" Out of corner of eye I see Coran, Allura, others laughing themselves sick. I do Bronx cheer at soldiers, they chase me. I fly away from castle. Zarkon shout things at me that best repeated not. He have plenty nerve, but I even worse!
I give Doom soldiers merry chase. I turn my lasers, fear-vibes on them as flit I about. I tease them with insults galore, some of which best saved for bathroom. I lure them as far from castle as possible so I have time find source of force field and, perhaps, deactivate it.
"Hey, father! We’re having a party, so here’s a treat for you!" I look down, see Lotor with large tart in his hand. He hurl it, it land perfectly in Zarkon’s face. "Bon appetit!" By this time Voltron Force in stitches.
I sneak up on Zarkon again. I grab his crown, fly off with it. He yell: "Hey! Come back here with my crown, you pesky #!@&$?#*%!!" I yell back: "Catch, Zarkon!", pitch crown over his head, into moat. He yell to his soldiers retrieve his crown. I swoop down, grab Zarkon, say: "You want your crown back, sweetie, you get it!", dump him into moat. He flounder in water, yell to his soldiers for help.
Zarkon’s soldiers distracted, I decide try for Black Lion. I notice blast doors on castle closing - they use manual devices to seal castle against attack. That buy me more time. Other members of Voltron Force near entrance. I tell them with telepathy I carry them to Lions. I assume battle form again, dive to my friends. I use my lasers and wings protect them as carry I them to safety. I use my cold breath ice bridge to castle gates, stop Doom soldiers from storming castle again. Now we off to Lions.
I climb into Black Lion with my pals. Cockpit bit crowded, yes. Doom ships try blast us, I let them have it with Lion’s weapons. My friends hang on tight. This wild ride! I dive into moat, help Princess reach Blue Lion. Just then get Keith message from Coran. Doom soldiers trying break into castle, about succeed. I tell Allura defend castle while stop Todadler and company that force field.
We head into space. I trace source of field with my mind-sight, find large, ugly satellite hovering high over castle. We prepare for trouble. I hope it too much for Black Lion not. I plan in case need I take Keith and Hunk to their Lions. I contact Allura, she have situation under control for moment. I tell her I find source of force field, I perhaps need help, stand by just in case this too much for one Lion.
I see Doomblasters not - perhaps they confident ship too tough for us, they think it enough keep us from Lions, or because they concentrate on castle. I prepare lest this trick.
I latch onto Black Lion, concentrate my teletaxis - my ability feel things from afar as if touching them - on enemy ship. I find its weakest point, let go with salvo proton missiles, lasers, megablasters - everything Black Lion can unleash all at once. Super salvo hit bullseye. Force field vanish. I radio Castle Control, Coran tell me everything working again.
We head to Castle. When arrive we, though, matters anything but fine. Though work castle defenses, Doom fighters give them plenty big trouble. I sense Haggar lurking nearby. I land near castle, let Keith and Hunk out. There see I old witch. She prepare attack them with magic spell. I leap out of Lion, confront her in my deadliest form. She cackle wickedly, say: "You dare challenge the might of Haggar, mystery creature? You’re so ugly, you ought to be fighting for evil, not good!" To me this simple mode of thinking infantile, since see I Universe, in black in white not, in shades of gray not, but in all its wondrous colors.
I say: "You mighty, Haggar, but power of nagh-kaar riki mightier still!" Witch hurl spell from her staff at me. I focus my psi energy in front of me, catch energy of spell as if with catcher’s mitt. I will it back towards Haggar, she and cat jump out of was as cause energy of spell small explosion where stand they moment before.
Haggar out of way for moment, I return to my Lion. I take off after Doom fighters, have at them some more. I scan area for more trouble - Haggar around mean more nasty surprises certain rear their ugly heads - perhaps literally!
As suspect I, Haggar invite one last unwelcome guest to Arus. She raise her staff high, summon tremendous power. From moat rise hideous reptilian robeast, scaly read and brown mottled, like cross between Tyrannosaur and bull. It bellow terribly as smash it massive head against castle. I think: You try out for life of party, no? We need bouncer here!
I say to my companions: "This look like job for Voltron!" Keith reply: "Yes, but where’s Pidge? No Green Lion, no Voltron!"
We decide go after robeast anyway. Missiles, astroblasters, lasers, darts fly. We zip in and out, fire away, slash with lion-knives, ripclaws. Nothing stop our big friend. We do some damage, but robeast too tough. We need Green Lion!
Just then see we welcome sight: Green Lion approach us. Keith say: "All right! Pidge is safe!" We all cheer. Then Pidge’s voice call to us: "Hey you guys, you’re doing a great job with that robeast! But as soon as you’re through, would one of you mind getting me out of this bloomin’ ravine?"
Hunk: "Hey Pidge, if you’re down in a ravine and Lance is on his way home from the hospital,"
We all say together: "Who’s flying Green Lion?"
Familiar voice come over radio: "The new member of Voltron Force, of course - me!"
Lotor! We all exclaim his name together.
Lotor: "I owe it to you all - and to Voltron. I owe you a debt that I can never repay. But I can at least make a down payment." We all laugh.
For what wait we now? I call: "Form we Voltron! Activate interlocks! Dynatherms connected! Infracells up! Megathrusters go!" As roar lions into formation, we say together: "GO VOLTRON!" And this time old enemy one of us!
I thrill to sensation of Voltron’s power flowing through me. I wonder about that strange, ineffable energy as link-up Lions. "Form feet and legs!" I try once more scan Voltron, once more meet I that strange psionic barrier. Voltron guard his (her?) secrets well. "Form arms and body!" I turn my mind to present problem, lizard bull. So Haggar think she can get away with giving us bunch bull, heh heh! "And Todadler form head!" No we in business!
Voltron jump on top of robeast, bite into it with his lion-head feet. Robeast like that not, throw Voltron aside. Now it on offensive. Voltron scoot out of way as lunge it at him. Robeast pull out bola. Voltron attack with solar wind, but robeast dodge blast. It swing bola, with expert throw tangle Voltron’s legs. We all fall down, roar! Robeast jump on us before get-up we. I sense Haggar’s glee. This robeast strong sucker!
While try it finish Voltron, I get idea. Robeast hold down body and limbs, but Voltron’s hands and feet free. That how win we, yes! I call for Lion Head attack. Voltron use his heads, hee hee! We prepare launch. Lotor assure us he know how handle this - after all, he fly Lion when fly he such craft before never. Energy build up, off go they, one two three four! Robeast notice them not. I think: Some people shoot off their mouths, Voltron go them one - no, three - better, haw haw!
Lion heads turn around, bite into robeast’s shoulders, butt. It fall away from Voltron, try grab heads, which do plenty damage. They break off, rejoin Voltron. Red Lion head bite through bola, Voltron back on his feet now. So Haggar think she clever? Todadler cleverer yet!
We blast again with stingray missiles, rotor darts. Robeast recover from our assault, respond with missiles from chest. Voltron like them not! He get blasted in face, but quickly recover, dodge next salvo.
I call: "Round-up we this dogie!" We form Lion Lariat, lasso robeast, pin its arms, shut its chest. "Form Blazing Sword!" Voltron leap high, come down almost atop robeast, with single mighty stroke cleave monster from crown to groin. So much for that troublemaker!
We find Pidge, retrieve him. Back inside castle, we rest after our battle, thank Lotor for helping us. Keith tell me mice catch Haggar’s cat sabotaging equipment while I out fighting Doomblasters, they drive him out of castle, technicians repair cat’s damage. After we rest, we finish preparing for Lance’s homecoming, soon get we news his ship approaching Arus. We have extra reason celebrate tonight, yes! He tell us he hear of our victory, what do Lotor. We assure him we have even better show for him when arrive he!
Our party real blast! I have fabulous time with my friends. We all welcome Lance home from hospital. He walk now, with crutch but still he on his feet. He still have ways go before recovery complete, but I know now he will mend completely, soon he ready fly Red Lion again.
I meet Prince Bandor. He tell me how worry he about his sister Romelle, friend Sven. He say they search entire planet, find no sign of either of them. I promise find his sister and Sven, bring them back safe and sound to Pollux.
Lotor make new friends out of many guests, who remark on how he so different from what hear they, think of him, since abandon he his old ways, become nice person. Bandor give Lotor hairy eyeball all evening, but Lotor seem understand. He give young Prince of Pollux time learn truth.
Merla try stay close to Lotor, but he mostly ignore her, he have eyes for only Allura. I feel more and more anger, frustration in her. Not good! She reject evil ways, but bad still lurk in her heart - right circumstances put it back in control.
During course of party I get crazy idea. I tell it to Keith, Pidge, Allura, Hunk. They all giggle. Keith say: "That’s outrageous! But I bet it’ll work!" We all snicker, prepare for unusual feature.
While others dance or chat along bridge before castle gates, along come Voltron - dancing! I sense intense merriment as help I him boogie. Later, Lance tell me he wish we do that not, because he laugh so hard, all his injuries hurt! Coran tell us he laugh so much, his ribs ache. Everybody there really enjoy that surprise!
Following day present Allura Lotor to Arusians, declare: "My people, our former foe has proven that he is indeed our friend by piloting the Green Lion and becoming a part of Voltron. From this day forward, Lotor shall be a true citizen of Planet Arus!" Crowd cheer. "And I have a special gift for the new member of Voltron Force." She plant sweet kiss on Lotor’s cheek. That too much! Lotor faint! We all laugh.
Except Merla, who growl quietly.
Afterwards, Lotor say: "I need new clothes. I should have gotten rid of these long ago. Why should I wear the outfit of the Prince of Doom when I am no longer a prince, or a resident of Planet Doom?" So Allura order new clothes for him. Two days later, his new togs arrive.
We wait in game room while don Lotor his new outfit. He come in all decked out in new apparel. Hunk say: "Lotor, I know you’re trying to create a new image of yourself, but isn’t that a bit much?" For Lotor wear hat that resemble Voltron’s lionhead helmet, white long sleeve shirt with picture Voltron on it, red right sleeve, green left sleeve, belt buckle like Voltron’s star "belt." We all laugh, applaud.
Lotor: "I want everybody to know I am truly a member of Voltron Force now."
I say: "Todadler think you get point across, Lotor. Now all you need pair pants with right leg blue and left leg yellow." Now everyone laugh.
We decide burn Lotor’s old clothes ceremoniously. We gather in clear spot on castle grounds, around small bin that hold materials for burning. In go Lotor’s old garments, soon they ablaze. With them, seem to us, go last of his nastiness. His past leave him never, but he have happy future before him as good person.
Few days later we pay visit to Pollux. Prince Bandor treat us to fine lunch. I remember my promise to him, describe how search, probe I with my mind. I tell him also how sense I strange power of Voltron how try I find source, how elude his - her? - secret me despite my greatest efforts.
After lunch I examine belongings of Sven and of Romelle pick up their life-vibes, like hound dog sniffing clothes for scent of missing person. While amuse others themselves around castle, I fly over surface of Pollux. I seek out traces of Romelle and Sven. I probe all around Castle Pollux. Carefully separate I tangled psi trails they leave. I spend hours searching, probing.
Finally find I end of their newest "tracks." I land, meditate in spot where detect I break-off of their traces. I enter trance, peer into past. I follow traces back into time. They faint, so I trace carefully, slowly. I see Romelle and Sven enjoy peaceful walk when they confronted by Doom troops. Sven try protect Romelle, but they captured. I probe time-scene. Captors take them to Planet Doom. Just as suspect Todadler! But why send Zarkon demands for bargain for their lives not? They escape somehow, somewhere. I decide restart search on Planet Doom.
When come I out of trance, wee hours of morning at Castle Pollux. I return to castle when come dawn there. I tell them what find I. Bandor worried, but I assure him I rescue Romelle soon. She far away, probably on Doom, but I will find her and Sven with help of seeing-pool I have on Arus.
We fly back to Arus, I fly to my antarctic lair. I sit in front of seeing-pool, concentrate on life-vibes of Sven and Romelle. I create templates of their personal patterns in my mind, so when send I my mind across space to Planet Doom I know when find I them. Perhaps I will pick up traces of them where go they in space if escape they from Doom.
I send my mind far, far into space. I leave my body, soar on astral wings to Doom. I soar above planet, probe with my mind all across its surface. I probe deep into planet, search for Sven and Romelle. Finally pick-up I psychic traces of Sven. Romelle too. She with him. I follow their traces into caverns beneath Doom. I seek them out. Finally find I them, among tangled psychic trails, with other escaped captives and slaves from many worlds - including Doom and some of its allies.
I determine go there. I latch onto location in caverns, concentrate, focus on that place. I send my entirety to that place. I form sort of path from my lair to caverns of Doom. I sour, out of space-time, to chosen spot. I find myself in caverns. Now search I.
Finally find I them. I recognize Sven immediately by sight. I see Romelle, too. She so beautiful, even in torn, dirty gown, with mussed hair. Sven see me, he freak out, think I one of Haggar’s nasties. He grab Romelle, they and others run. I call "Wait! Come back! Fear me not! Todadler your friend!" But they hear not, keep running. I pursue them. I understand their fear: in Queen-of-Nightmares form I most horrible, black metallic head with Samurai helmet and Darth Vader-ish face, trapezoidal red eyes, short-legged white space shuttle body, black clawed hands, great red wings, feet like bird of prey talons, scaly red tail with flecks of white and black. I indeed look like one of Haggar’s nasty helpers. I frighten even her. I that unlovely.
Some of Sven’s companions have laser guns, shoot at me. I dodge lasers, deflect them with my wings. Then I broadcast calming vibes, dispel their fear. They put away weapons. I land in front of Sven, say: "Please listen to me. Todadler your friend. She member of Voltron Force." I show him my Lion key. His eyes open wide, he exclaim: "That’s the key to the Black Lion!"
I say: "Yes. Now know you Todadler on your side."
"Only the commander of Voltron Force flies the Black Lion. Hey, what happened to Keith?"
I tell him story of battle between Voltron and robeast on Pollux, how Lance hurt, how use Allura Doorway of Dimensions find me, how become I pilot of Black Lion. I tell him I come rescue him and Romelle from Planet Doom. I explain I can take but one at time on such long teleport. He say: "Take Romelle first. I will be all right here. These caverns are no place for a princess."
Romelle try insist he go, but I agree take her first. I tell her I take her to Arus, because I know that planet well enough teleport there all way from Doom. From Arus she go home to Pollux.
I take Romelle’s hand, concentrate on Lion Castle. I link with her mind, we think of Castle Control, focus our minds on place. We blink out of Doom caverns, to Arus, into Castle Control. There meet we very anxious Coran. He exclaim: "Todadler! Thank goodness you’re here! Something terrible has happened!"
I ask: "What?"
"The other members of Voltron Force are missing. So is Queen Merla, so is her ship. Castle guards heard a commotion in the middle of the night, and when they went to investigate, they found Keith, Pidge, Hunk and the Princess missing and Lotor lying unconscious in the middle of the hall. He’d  been conked on the head pretty hard - fortunately, he wasn’t seriously hurt. Then they heard a ship taking off. About that time they found that the room where Merla had been staying was empty. There were no signs of a struggle of any kind, expect for Lotor getting hurt. We have good reason to believe that Merla kidnapped the four and bundled them into her ship to take them goodness knows where."
Just then Lance hobble in with Lotor, who have big bandage on side of his head, say: "What the hell’s going on? I got up this morning and saw everybody running pell mell around the castle, and then along comes Lotor with his head all bandaged. Hey, where are Keith and the others?"
Coran: "Missing. Apparently they’ve been kidnapped by Queen Merla."
Lance call her nasty word, say: "I would have known! And I thought she really had converted to good!"
Lotor: "This is all my fault! If only I had paid more attention to Merla! After all, she is the one who saved my life!"
Coran: "It isn’t your fault Merla reverted back to evil, Lotor. You love Allura - and she loves you. You made your choice. You had no way of knowing Merla would become so jealous."
I say: "Todadler’s fault, really. She one who tell Coran let two of you into Castle of Lions. Todadler keep closer tabs on Merla, I foresee her plan, this happen not, but I focus on her not, foresee this not. I sense negative vibes from her, but suspect she plan this not."
Coran: "No, Todadler, this isn’t your fault either. She deceived all of us. Besides, you’ve had other things on your mind besides watching Merla."
I say: "No telling what do she with her captives."
Lotor: "Well, at least she doesn’t have the keys to the Lions. Good thing they’re kept in Castle Control - otherwise I couldn’t have helped you the time Pidge was missing."
Lance: "Fat good those keys will do us. Even if Sven were here and I were well enough to pilot my Lion, that’s only four people. And it takes five pilots to form Voltron."
I say: "Todadler need rescue them soon as possible. First need find them."
Romelle: "How? They could be anywhere."
"Same way I find you and Sven, Princess. Todadler follow psychic trails of other Voltron pilots. Easy follow, Todadler know them well. I find Merla, too."
I travel to Black Lion. I take off, soar above Arus. I expand my mind, concentrate on those four life-signals I know so well, plus Merla’s. Easy find most recent trails near Castle of  Lions - they "warm" and strong. Merla’s stand out because of rage at Lotor and Allura, delight in nabbing her captives. I seek across depths of space, follow trails of my friends, track from outside space-time. In Black Lion somehow have I enhancement I need mind-seek across such depths of space, across galaxy. I find them at last. I will find way, guide Lion there along spaceways to current end of life-trails.
I come out of my trance, find myself above foreboding planet. I sense scanner fields around planet, first make I Black Lion undetectable to them. Next I scan for Voltron Force, quickly locate my pals. I touch my mind with theirs. I learn from them they wake up bound in spaceship piloted by Merla, now they captives of Zarkon, other baddies who gather for victory celebration. Allura tell me they in little cage in vast hangar slaves prepare as big dining hall. Those mega-dorks. They warn me many enemy ships there, too many for one Lion, even Black Lion with me at controls. Keith tell me Zarkon have big, very nasty robeast on that planet, too, Doomians plan release it on Arus, force planet to surrender. I tell them I see about that.
Keith ask me why use I teleport powers not, I reply too risky. From surface of planet to Black Lion too great distance carry all four of them, if take I one at time their captors certainly notice me or notice someone missing. Also, I need all my mental facilities keep Black Lion invisible to their scanners and mind-speak with my pals. I break concentration on scanner block free up power for teleport, they detect Black Lion. No way pluck them off planet that way. Coming in for landing out of question, too - someone see me coming, baddies perhaps harm my friends. Plus problem of large armada Doom ships, as well as robeast, I assure them I will think of way rescue them.
I return to Arus. I have plan - daring plan. I need all my facilities, all my powers carry it out. Only with Lions can others escape. Somehow, I tell myself, I must bring other four Lions to my friends, so we fight our way from Doom base, destroy robeast, get back home. With all five Lions, we can form Voltron. But with only one pilot - or two, or three, or four - no Voltron.
I tell Lance, Romelle, Coran, Lotor what commence. Then I tell them my plan - I bring them to Lions not, so I bring Lions to them.
Lotor: "How are you going to do that?"
"Todadler will fly all five Lions at once. Nothing fancy - just to where our friends held captive, so they can get on board their Lions. Then we will have five pilots, five Lions. And Voltron."
Coran: "How are you going to fly all five Lions by yourself?"
I raise chair with telekinesis, say: "With that. Lots of that."
Lance: "Moving around those huge Lions is going to take some serious brain power!"
I say: "Todadler lift Lions themselves not, but move controls. That take so much power not. Some fast thinking, yes, but huge amount power not. Lions - and Voltron - enhance my powers somehow. Todadler can do it."
Coran, Lotor, Lance, Romelle wish me luck. I return to Black Lion, insert key. I dive into moat, insert key in Blue Lion. I fly to great tree of Green Lion, insert its key. I fly to volcano of Red Lion, in go fourth key. I fly to desert sphinx, through cave to Yellow Lion, in go last key. Then I fly back to Black Lion. We roar into air. From above castle I summon all my mental capacity, reach out to other Lions. I feel my psi power increase. Lions have power! I latch onto their controls, manipulate them by will alone. I will them, all five of them, fly. I see other Lions approach. I guide Black Lion up, up. I feel other Lions follow us like dogs on leashes, psionic leashes. I feel Lion power surge through me, through all five vehicles.
Suddenly enter crazy idea my head. Result of strain, perhaps? I reach out to Lions again. I think about that routine we go through: can I do it? I tell myself I can. Like Little Engine That Could. I think I can I think I can I think I can I think I can - VOLTRON GIVE ME YOUR POWER - I think I can I think I can I think I can. Little Lion that could?
I shake, I salivate. Such strain. Such power needed. I grip controls until I fear I crush them. I think, I send my thoughts, my will, to other Lions - Activate interlocks - Dynatherms connected - Infracells up - Megathrusters go - VOLTRON GIVE ME YOUR POWER - I think I can I think I can I think I can--
I feel tremendous surge power, indescribable power, rush through me like great wave over beach. I feel other Lions prepare for interlock. Legs, tails retract. Energy build. I feel myself shift, shift into different state of awareness. I can see interior of Lion not. I see only energy. I feel energy, I smell energy, I taste energy, I hear energy, I sense energy in other ways. My mind caught in fog of energy, fog of Voltron power. I feel as if I Lions, all five of them, as if I Voltron. I feel pain, exhilaration, exhaustion, pep all as one sensation. I become thinned out across all five Lions, across all of Voltron’s body. I shudder, I pant, I hiss, I bleed from nose.
FORM FEET AND LEGS
My head feel like helium balloon, drifting far away, floating in cockpits of Lions, now this one, now that one - all five at once. My arms, legs feel somehow unattached.
FORM ARMS AND TORSO
I float in space-time, I spin in vortex of life energy. I feel my body change, break up into pieces, come together again. I feel huge and stretched, and small and compacted. I feel my mind buffeted by blasts of power, power of Voltron.
AND I FORM HEAD
Suddenly it end. I come down, find my senses, my body in order again. I pant like dog. My head slowly clear. I feel dizzy and tired, yet ready for action. My eyes can see. I see interior of Black Lion. Then I notice things different. Yes - that familiar silhouette on screen.
My crazy idea work.
I head for rugged planet. I get ideas as fly we. Voltron, I think, we give those baddies feast they forget never.
I hide Voltron near Doom base. I sneak in, find my way to kitchen. There prepare kitchen slaves elephant-size beast for, I presume, main course. I steal away to next room, where find I liquors of various sorts in strange bottles. I snitch bottle wine, take test sip. It taste terrible! I spit it out, hiss "Lion piss!"
I sneak around base. I catch glimpses of Zarkon, Haggar, Merla, Cossack, several others whom presume I big nasties. Hail, hail, gang all here. Very well - Todadler will make jack asses of all of them!
From hiding place I find I overhear conversation between baddies and captives. Zarkon say: "Today we celebrate our greatest victory - and the return of Queen Merla to the forces of Planet Doom! With the Voltron Force our captives, soon Planet Arus will fall at last, and soon after that, the rest of the free planets will be at our mercy! With Voltron out of the way, the Galaxy will be ours!" Many raise their goblets in toast.
Keith: "Aren’t you forgetting somebody?"
Cossack sneer: "Ha! Even Todadler with all her special powers can’t help you now - unless she can form Voltron by herself!" Other heavies laugh.
Hunk: "Yeah, but she’s got a lotta powers, and she probably has some powerful friends! You guys better watch out - you may have an entirely new Voltron Force after you! And as for you, Merla, you treacherous little minx, you’re gonna be awful sorry one of these days!"
Pidge: "She’s real smart! And she isn’t the only one of her kind! I know she could find four other friends to fly the Lions, and make Voltron even mightier than before!"
Keith: "She really needs only one other friend. Once she finds Sven and makes Lance all better, we’ll have four pilots - including Lotor!" He emphasize that last name.
Merla: "Silence! Before your precious Todadler can find even one more Lion pilot, we’ll take care of her, and that treacherous little ex-prince!"
Allura: "Todadler will find a way to rescue us, and to stop you! She has never failed us before, and she won’t this time!"
Zarkon: "Enough of that silly chattering, you fools! Even if Voltron and Todadler were here they couldn’t help you now. Planet Doom has finally triumphed, so you might as well get used to being captives. Soon your friends on all the other free worlds will join you in defeat and slavery. We shall rule supreme in the Universe from this day on!"
We shall see about that, think I.
Slaves bring great roast beastie out to head table. Guests applaud work of Zarkon’s slave cooks. I get ready make my move.
Zarkon raise carving knife cut first slice from roast beast. Then I make my grand entrance. In shower cooked fruits, vegetables, small roasts I appear before Zarkon, in middle banquet table - because I hide inside great roast!
Everyone present stunned into silence. I say, "Howdy, everybody!", curtsy before Zarkon.
Pidge shout: "It’s Todadler! She found us!"
After several shocked seconds Zarkon recover, demand: "What is the meaning of this?"
"Todadler thank you for your invitation, Your Majesty."
"I don’t remember inviting you!"
Cossack: "Zarkon would never invite anybody with such abominable manners to his feast!"
Haggar: "Don’t worry - I’ll have this under control in a moment." I confront her, say: "Now, now, Haggar, best you get all excited over this not. Take it easy." I blast her with powerful lethargy-feeling, she fall asleep almost instantly. I relieved this trick work so well, I prepared lest need I something more deal with her. She have strong will, but perhaps she expect me not, expect this sort mind-trick not.
I stroll up to Zarkon, grab drumstick off his plate, take bite, masticate it, spit it out on floor, comment: "Excellent food - truly fit for king." I leer at him, say: "You think you clever, no? You forget you deal with nagh-kaar riki. You think you win? I tell you, you loser, you always loser." I step on handy pastry, squirt him in face.
I grab bottle wine off table, take deep drink. Merla snap: "That’s the most expensive wine in the galaxy!" I glower at her, gulp down wine, deliberately spill half of it out sides of my mouth. I saunter up to her, confront her directly, say: "Too bad you stay good not. Too bad you get so jealous of Allura, you want betray your friends. You leave winners, become loser again. You think you hot stuff, no? You fast, but Todadler faster." I tweak her nose, she snarl: "You’ll pay for this insolence!"
I say to all: "You think you control Universe? Ha! Voltron kick your butts all over galaxy. You think you can get rid of her so easily? She will see about that. We will show you." Then I think: Why say I "she?" I remember old records from other planets that refer to Voltron as "she." Something compel me use feminine pronoun for Voltron. Those records? Or something else? Something enter me when form I Voltron by myself!
I reach out with my mind, will Voltron come. I sense him - her? - take off, head for hangar.
"You think you so strong, yet one little ol’ robot keep you at bay. You have vast interplanetary empire, yet you made fools by Voltron. You think you great conquerors, but you all naught but twittering fools."
I take another swig wine, then belch in Cossack’s face. I bite into vegetable from great roast, say to Zarkon: "Your invitation say bring guest. Todadler hope she impose too much on you not." I turn towards high, arching ceiling of hangar.
Suddenly start roof cave in. Frightened diners run from seats as fall metal, other matter on tables below. Large section come crashing down, expose two feet. Two very big feet, two colorful feet, two very well-known feet. I forget expressions on nasties’ faces not, never!
Keith yell above confusion: "It’s Voltron!" as descend my guest slowly into middle hangar. Ceiling so high, her wings fit just under it when land she.
She?
Keith ask me: "But who’s in him?"
I point to myself.
Allura: "You mean you formed Voltron all by yourself?"
I nod gently, do false-modest brush-off.
I turn to Voltron, say: "Now, Voltron, show you polite!", will her move. She bow, my friends laugh loudly. I say: "Help yourself!" Voltron pick up great roast quite nimbly, Zarkon and others cringe in terror. She put it in her mouth, spit it out. Carcass sail over Zarkon’s head, crash into wall behind him as duck he, others. My friends utterly in stitches by now.
I say: "Shame on you, Voltron!", rub finger. "Such manners! Todadler think Defender of Universe better behaved than that!"
That last straw for Zarkon. He yell: "Unleash the robeast! We’ll finish Voltron here and now!"
I leap into action, fly towards Voltron’s head. Merla scream: "Stop her!" Soldiers fire at me, I dodge their volleys, blast them with cold breath, my own lasers, fear vibes. I land on top of Voltron. Before go I to helm, I give Zarkon and company Anne’s fan, waggle my macaw’s tail at them. Then I help Voltron rescue my friends. They get into cockpits of their respective Lions. Now we ready for action! I say: "OK, kiddies, give we them nice after-dinner show!"
Voltron leap out of hangar. From other massive building come big nasty thing like mechanical centaur with tentacles. It roar with huge mouth like snapping turtle’s. I growl at it as guide I Voltron towards it. It lash with tentacles, Voltron dodge them. I say: "Nyah nyah! Catch Voltron if you can!"
I watch those nasty-looking tentacles. Best we get rid of those. "Spinning laser blade!" Voltron throw whirling space-frisbee, I will it cut all tentacles off robeast. Monster like that not.
"Form electrosabre!" Voltron throw sabre right into beast’s chest. But it still ready for fight. Plenty pissed now. It fire energy at Voltron, she dodge. I say: "Nya-na nya-na boo boo! Robeast can’t touch Voltron!"
Voltron form Blazing Sword. She leap high, come down on top of robeast. With one swing she cleave torso and barrel down middle. So much for that one! Somehow it seem less strong than others we fight. Why? Or perhaps Voltron in rare form, better fighter so opponents seem less.
We return to Arus in triumph. I return to Planet Doom, find Sven, take him back to Arus. Prince Bandor at castle when return we, he thank me very much for rescue of his sister. She there to greet me, too, all cleaned up, in one of Allura’s dresses.
At Pollux Castle we celebrate with special feast. Bandor and others thank me most sincerely for finding, rescuing Romelle and Sven. Romelle then tell us of when she prisoner on Planet Doom before. When visit Voltron Force Pollux first time - Pollux at that time enemy of Arus - Lotor kidnap Romelle, Voltron Force try rescue her, but Haggar trick them, Lotor take Romelle to Doom, she insult him, he throw her into deep pit full of skulls, where find Sven her. They live in caverns of Doom with other escaped slaves and prisoners, finally make contact with Arus, but save that secret link with Voltron Force until learn Sven of Zarkon’s plan build super lazon factory create army giant robeasts - hundreds of them, too many for even Voltron handle at once. After help Sven Voltron find hidden lazon base, Romelle decide stay in hiding on Doom rather than return to Pollux, as have she and others daring plan raid Haggar’s laboratory. Eventually carry out they plan, grab equipment including Doorway of Dimensions, steal ship, escape to Pollux. Sven establish residence on Pollux near castle, other escapees return to homeworlds or find new homes.
I describe my continued and still futile attempts fathom Voltron’s power. I tell them when form I Voltron by myself, I sense her strange power far more strongly than before - though still learn I its true nature not, mainly because of overwhelming shock of experience, concentration needed control Lions from distance. I realize what do I possible not if have Voltron that mystery energy not. I tell them also of my new plan for experiment: distill Voltron’s very essence from her elements. Bandor think that idea weird! (And why say I "she" and "her" for Voltron?)
Keith tell me they plan parade for me on Arus. I say, while prepare they parade, I prepare my experiment. That reasonable, no! He think that good idea. So when return we to Arus, I make my arrangements, they make theirs.

Part 3, Dreamer Awaken