Survival of the Innocent (A Voltron fanfic) (Book 1 of Fates Entwined)

Entitlement Part 3

Coran is looking at the map of the Balmera on the Castle of Lions showing Balmerans moving, "Princess, your speech must have worked. The Balmerans are moving toward the surface!"

"Coran, we're just beneath the surface. Triangulate my position. This is your landing zone."

"Yes, Allura. Readying ship. Castle of Lions, coming in! Paladins, how are you holding up?"

At the same time, Keith is fighting Drazil, "I think we've got him pretty distracted. Are the Balmerans in position?"

"They're making their way to the top," Allura says as all the Balmerans slowly climb towards the surface.

The Castle of Lions lands just outside a mine shaft and Coran descends to the surface in a transport pod and motions for Balmerans to enter, "Bring them out! Hurry, now!"

The Balmera suddenly rumbles violently, causing the mine shaft to start crumbling and rock slides to occur.

"No!" Allura cries.

Balmerans are in a panic but not injured.

"It's on the verge of collapsing! We have to go!"

"But the Balmerans!"

"They're trapped! What can be done? Time is short!" Rax answers.

The Paladins are dodging Drazil's lasers in their Lions; the lasers are hitting the Balmera.

"Every hit weakens the Balmera. Have you evacuated yet? What's happening?" Hunk asks frantically.

Coran speaks over the communication channel, "The Balmerans are trapped. Just keep distracting that beast!"

"Uh, do you want us to distract it by dying? Because that's what's going to happen!"

"Guys, remember when I said we didn't have to beat it?" Shiro wondered aloud.

"Yes, I remember that."

"Well, we might have to beat it."

Allura looks over the mine shaft.

"We're lost! All are trapped with no chance for escape!" Shay whimpers.

"We can't give up," Allura tries to encourage the Balmerans.

"But what can be done?" Shay asks, but notices the ground glowing underneath the Castle of Lions, "The Balmera... The ground beneath your mighty ship appears healed. Its essence thrives. But how?"

"The Castle!" Allura exclaims.

"Not just the Castle, but you as well," Shay's grandmother explains.

"It's true. Your Altean energy combined with the ship's Crystal has revitalized this part of the Balmera," Coran adds.

"That's it! Maybe we can perform the ceremony you spoke about. We can save the Balmera," Allura realises.

"What ceremony?" Rax wonders.

"In the days of old, when Alteans were given the gift of Crystals from a Balmera, we would repay its sacrifice by performing a ceremony. A sacred Altean would re-infuse the Balmera with Quintessence. In this way, we had a symbiotic relationship," Coran explains.

"The Galra have only been taking. It's time we give back," Allura decides, "I can connect with the Crystal in the Bridge and use the Castle's power as an amplifier."

"When your father performed the ceremony, it was on a much smaller scale. I beg you. To heal an entire planet, it could take more energy than you possess. You may not... live through it."