This chapter presents, another intergalactic crossover from Netflix!
A quick bite at Mo's Oasis rejuvenated Star and Kid. "I visit a lot of fast food places when we go traveling." Star smiled, holding a half-empty smoothie cup. "But there's something about Mo's' food that brings that really brings out the taste."
"Haha, it's great, right? Too bad we couldn't invite Samus. She's probably pretty hungry, too."
"Maybe. I must say, for 80 years old, she's still got the moves."
"Totally." Kid took a sip of some soda… and spit it out. "…EIGHTY YEARS?! She's an old granny?!"
"Well… yeah."
"What's her secret?!"
"I didn't read too much on her, but I think she received a blood transfusion from Chozo. That may have something to do with it. I doubt she'll answer if we ask."
"Yeah, she was kind of mean."
"No she wasn't. She was more worried about us if anything. And we weren't in a position to argue. Anyhoo, let's see if H.Q. has any news for us." Star input the transmission code.
"Hey, Star! Glad to hear from you!" Tiffi responded. "We still don't have any word on the kidnapped operatives, but some of the KNDs sent agents out to Vilgax-run areas! Sector V included!"
"Well, that'll be a big help!"
"Yeah. In fact, they've gone to the Quintessa Galaxy. There's been unusual Vilgax activity there."
"Quintessa…" The name rung a bell. "Are they… going to meet Sector DEFENDER?"
"Not necessarily. In the intel we forwarded, we mentioned how some of our scouts were raided by Unilu pirates. And that…"
Was the only real part that caught the eyes of Jason, Captain of Sector V. "STREWTH, there's pirates in that galaxy?! Ready the ship, mates, we're sailin' for Quintessa!"
"I hope you plan to stay focused on the actual mission, Captain!" Laruta shouted.
"Hmm…Kid, what do you say we try to rendezvous with Sector V?"
"Earth's best sector? Don't see why not." He smirked at the prospect of meeting big heroes. "But who's Sector DEFENDER?"
"They're Coruscant's Top Sector. They've been on a mission there since last year. Fighting the Galra Empire."
Galvan Prime
Rick Sanchez flew down to a pale green planet defined by a massive green crater. He landed in the center of the crater before stepping out of his car. "Alright, should be around here…oh, I almost forgot." He picked a glass capsule out of his pocket, placed it down, and shot it with a ray gun to resize it.
"Whuuuh!" A scrawny teenage boy with a round, brown-haired head and yellow shirt stumbled out of the tube. "Why do I need to stay in that thing, Rick?"
"Because you're not allowed into my private meetings, Morty." Rick shrunk the capsule back down and put it away. "And we don't need your input to complicate things."
"W-What's this place, Rick? It's so green and gassy, like a giant butthole."
"This is the crater where the Omnitrix was found, but that Thanos rip-off idiot forgot to look for any instructions or blueprints that came with the stupid watch! Now we have to walk around a giant planet butthole to find anything."
There were several caves leading into the depths of the crater. They were attacked by Galvanic Mechamorphs, blobbish black and green creatures that tried to possess Rick's body. He used anti-virus programs to fend them off while Morty frantically tried to shoot their single eyes with a laser rifle. Eventually, they navigated to an ancient altar bearing the Omnitrix's symbol. "See, there's some ancient hieroglyphics right here." Rick brushed some dust off the side of the altar. "Fanboy couldn't bother to take pictures. 'We the wisemen of the universe have devised the Heart that will understand all others in the cosmos. If you believe you are worthy of such knowledge, receive our seals of approval."
There were statues around the room depicting a birdlike person, a pointy-earred person, a cat-earred person, and one with large eyes that took up the top of their head. "Sigh, of course it has to be a collection of MacGuffins that opens the path to the thing we need. But I think I know what these are. Heh, I guess the Zathurians ain't the only ones makin' fancy technology relics." Rick shot open a green portal with a gun. "Like making a portal helmet is special. Come on, Morty, time for adventure." They stepped through back to their car.
Quintessa Galaxy
Their arrival was presented with a bright, blue interstellar cloud. It seemed to depict a constellation of a smiling, froggish, bucktoothed face with round antennae. "If Jason's going to see pirates, I think I know where we could find them. There's a popular space mall where the Unilu pirates frequent."
"I always knew malls were run by pirates! How could one store have so many different things to sell?"
"The only thing I'm worried about is-"
"HALT! Identify yourself, small unidentified vessel! Or we'll swat you like a space fly!"
Star gulped at the massive purple ship reflected in the sideview mirror. "…The Galra."
"You have 10 ticks to answer or we'll send a Djalg after you!"
"I don't know what any of those words mean!" Kid panicked.
"Uh, w-we're just travelers." Star answered. "On a roadtrip. In space! We're just going to the space mall."
"All tourists to Galra Empire territory must provide identification! NOW!"
"Star, he's not gonna like that we're KND operatives, is he?"
"Kid!"
"Did you say 'KND'? Kids Next Door?!"
"Well, we're boned."
"I guess you're good to go then."
"Kid, there's a compartment in that glovebox with rear turret cont—wait, what?"
"Under the new emperor's laws, registered KND operatives are allowed to come and go as they please, so long as they don't interfere with official Galra duties. Got that, brats?"
"Y-Yes. Thanks, officer!" Star cut the transmission.
"So, like, who are these Galra guys?"
"Believe it or not, the Vilgaxians weren't the only intergalactic empire waging war in recent years. Over 20 years ago, the Galra started dominating the Quintessa Galaxy, going to war with neighboring planets. And it wasn't until last year that the Kids Next Door got involved with it. We already had Vilgax to worry about, so we were afraid of them crossing paths. But just last month, the Quintessa War hit a major turning point, and it sounds like it's showing. …Alright, found the mall's coordinates. We'll be there in 20 doboshes."
"Do…what-now?"
"Haha! Looks like my car already calibrated for Quintessa time." (Play "Space Mall Jam" from Voltron!)
The parking lot was vast under the Oxygen Bubble, yet it was still difficult to find a spot for Star's car. Kid was mesmerized by the variety of aliens going in and out of the structure. A pink alien with tentacle-legs under her dress was pushing a floating stroller. A tardigrade-like alien was leaving with a stuffed plushy resembling a three-eyed elephant. A bald, red-skinned alien with three blue spots on his chin was going to trade in a game console.
Kid darted up to the railing as soon as they were on the entry walkway. The mall possessed three floors, each dotted with countless shops, all surrounded by a great dome as space's glittering serenity spanned above them. "Star, this place is so neat!"
"Honestly, after Zebes, it feels nice coming to a place that's… populated. Let's take a look around!"
Stage 4: Swap Moon Mall
Mission: Enjoy yourself, it's a mall!
The duo used Star's Shinespark Shoes to swiftly zoom around the mall, causing "slight" disturbance to a large handful of customers. They first visited the mall's landmark fountain, where people flicked coins into. Star and Kid decided to be good sports and toss 100 bolts in. (Tossing 2,000 bolts in would reveal a Gold Bolt!)
"Tickets here…" They saw a punkish, four-armed girl with pink hair working a kiosk. "Get your Fight Hole tickets here… Lots of violent and bloody action for just 3,000 GAC… Sure wish I could go…"
There were other four-armed, pointed-ear folk at most of the other shops. "Those are the Unilu." Star said.
"They don't look like pirates."
"They only work as pirates outside. In here, they're 'high-risk traders.'"
"Excuse me, sir!" one Unilu called. "You wouldn't be here on business, would you? Care to try some infinity vapor? Nothing relieves long days of work like infinity vapor. I'll even trade it for that nice suit of yours."
"Uh, I'm 12, sir." Star replied.
"Ahoy, young man! You look thirsty! Have some of our by-tor water! It's by-torlicious! I'll trade it for that hair of yours!"
"You kids wanna lose some weight? Try some of our Dalterian Turtle Soup! Only 700 GAC!"
"See what I mean?" Star asked.
They glimpsed at a shop labeled Terra – The Latest in Earth Fashions. "Earth stuff?!" Kid curiously ran in.
"Ah, I see you're an Earth aficionado." Said the shopkeeper, who looked like a typical alien with bulbous blue eyes and pale skin with a bald head. "Please take a look at whatever interests you."
The shop had Earth game consoles, including MasterStation with some KND games, action figure sets, clothes, but most importantly, Star saw a Space Floof in a cage on the counter! "Um, how much for the cat?"
"20,000 GAC."
"Yeah, it's easier to do this." Star shot the cage and shattered it. The Spoof tossed him a Gold Bolt in gratitude before running free.
"AAAAAAHH! MY PRODUCT! SECURITY!"
"Uh-oh! Kid, run!" They bolted from the shop, already seeing mall cops pursuing them on floating scooters.
"There they are!" Their leader was a portly, purple-furred man with blank yellow eyes. "Think you brats can get away with causing property damage on MY jurisdiction?! We're making an example out of them!"
"Yes, Commander Varkon!"
"Welp, so much for a relaxing time." The two whipped out weapons and made an example out of them instead. The cops maneuvered around and shot Taser waves to electrify them. Star grabbed Kid, dashed away with Shinespark, and returned, giving the cops a shock of their own by plowing them down with speed! "Man, I love this thing!"
Fortunately, once they defeated that round of cops, no more would come out until they committed another crime. It was a good way to farm bolts, though. "Hey, kids!" another shopkeeper called. "Forgive me for pryin', but ya seem pretty handy with those gadgets. This fancy pogo stick came in the other day," he presented it, "and you seem the right size for it. But it ain't just for entertainment: it shoots out shockwaves against your enemies!"
"Hold on, that's a 20x40 P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K.!" Star exclaimed. "Clive made that! So, that's one of the weapons that was stolen!"
"It was a high-risk trade! And it still is… for 1,300 GAC."
"What's GAC?" Kid asked.
"Galra Authorized Currency."
"Really? Not even a cool alien word? …Actually, when you pronounce 'GAC' (gack) instead of spelling it, it makes a good word."
"Um, how about bolts instead?" Star asked. "You probably know a mechanic who can make better tech with these."
"Hmmm…I might know a guy. Alright, it's a trade, partner."
Pfft, as if. Star sneered.
Galactic Kids Next Door: P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K.
Pogo Operated Gun Openly Shocks Hordes Of Crooks Kontinually
"Isn't that spelled wrong?" Kid asked.
"Kid, the KND is allowed to spell words wrong when it meets the needs of the acronym."
"Okay. Can I have it? I always wanted a pogo stick!"
"Sure! It's only fair!"
The back area of the mall was most abundant with people traveling into a dark passage. Star transcribed the banner above it. "Fight Hole? Curious…" They decided to blend among the crowd. Inevitably, they would come upon a ticket booth.
"Tickets please." The Galra guarded requested gruffly.
"Ohhhhh, right, right." Star remembered the punk girl selling tickets. "Um, we're sort of just curious tourists. What is the Fight Hole?"
"Huh. I thought the Fight Hole would be the first thing tourists wanna see. Simply put, it's A GLADIATORIAL ARENA WHERE FIERCE WARRIORS FROM ACROSS THE UNIVERSE ENGAGE IN DEADLY COMBAT AND EXTREME SPORTS! VREPIT SA!"
"Coooool! Star, let's go get tickets!"
"I'm not sure we have time for that, Kid."
"Hooey! This job is giving Prince Zurk a squelched throat!"
Star perked up, hearing a familiar Richard Horvitz voice. He looked right at an Irken boy, wearing black armor with a purple Irken logo. "A quick stop at Vrepit Sal's should reenergize him!"
"ZURK!" The Irken jumped in Star's direction. "What're you doing here?!"
"Supreme Leader Star! Did the Unilu rob you of your prized Hyper-go-Tron, too?!"
"What? We were just looking for Sector V, but…"
"Well, Zurk has had the unfortunate circumstance of being enslaved as the Fight Hole's announcer until he can earn back his Hyper-go-Tron! It comes with benefits though. I get free food at Sal's and I can use my royal authority to recommend fighters for the arena."
"Really? …What are the conditions for fighting? Like, are weapons allowed?"
"Of course! Weapons always make deadly combat more fun!"
"Hmmm…you know, this might be a good training opportunity, Kid."
"You mean we're gonna fight?!"
"I mean, if it seems too scary, we don't have t-"
"A hero NEVER backs down from gladiatorial combat! SIGN US UP!"
"Then I SHALL!" Zurk declared. "…After my meal. I shall join you in eight doboshes!" The Irken ran off.
"Come to think of it, I feel a little raggedy…" Star had only just noticed how tattered his clothes were. "Why not buy something new? No reason to let this get worse."
Star Shinesparked his way to a clothing shop—the mall cops charged him for running down too many customers, but the kids simply KO'ed them again. "I like picking on them." Kid smiled.
"Me, too."
Star bought a long-sleeved shirt with a black top area and white belly area, along with a zipper. "Yeah… this feels comfortable! Now let's ruin it in combat."
They regrouped with Zurk after his lunch and followed him down the Fight Hole passage. It led through a pink rift. "It's one of those portals!" Kid said.
"No. Look at the tech around it." Star pointed out. "They made it with Zathurian tech."
"Indeed!" Zurk perked. "You'll find they use it for much more than that!"
They had gone from the peace and vibrance of the mall to a boiling stadium roaring with battle-hungry viewers and fighters! The arena had a moat of lava around it, and a muscular fighter in gold armor was already sending foes splashing. "KROSH! KROSH! KROSH! KROSH!" Krosh had white skin and sharp green teeth, fiery red hair, and a black mask. Her right eye was white and the left was blue and gem-like.
"Ah, you're just in time to see Krosh, the reigning champion!" Zurk said.
"Whoa… she's brutal." Kid replied.
"She looks… Glomourian." Star observed. "But with Galra traits. I heard they like to mate with strong races. I even see some Fanalis and Imuchakk in the audience."
"I'm not sure I can handle fighting her, Star."
"Then just don't sign up for her tournament." Zurk said. "You'll use a terminal to select which contests you wanna enter, then you'll have to fight your way through the designated fighters or challenges. Krosh is under 'Kroshing the Krosh.'"
"I wonder if that's her real name." Star remarked. "Well, thanks for hooking us up, Zurk! Let's sign up, Kid!"
Since they were newbie fighters, only a few Level 1 and 2 matches were available. They signed up for the first one, A Galra Greeting. (Play "Battle Arena" from Going Commando!)
"LLLLLLADIIIIEEEEES AND GENTLESPLOOCHES!" Zurk's voice rang throughout the stadium. "Promoter Zurk here, introducing NEW COMBATANTS to our glorious ring! Behold, the Prince of Stars! The King of Kiddom! The latest of the Ancient Zathurians, High Supreme Leader of the Galactic Kids Next Door: STAAAAAAARRRRR WINKIEBOTTOOOOOOOOM!" Blushing from the dramatic introduction, Star waved at the crowds. "Joining him, his lapblob in crime, a hero from the Milky Way Galaxy, he who zooms across stars on his lightspeed bike! Kiiiiiiiiiiid COSMIIIIIIIIIIC!"
"YEEEAAAAH!" Kid rocked out to the crowd. "If only the guys back home could see me now!"
…
Incidentally, the combat was broadcasted on TV, and Mo's Oasis happened to tune into it at that time. Seeing their little rascal live on the arena left them with dropped jaws. "KID?!"
"Star and Kid are newcomers to the Galra Empire! So, it's time for a warm, welcoming initiation!" A band of five Galra Troops marched out with purple laser bazookas and rifles. "VRRRREPIT SAAAAAA!"
"YEAH! RAPID SAW!" Kid screamed. The youth was eager to try out his new P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K., each bounce generating a small shockwave that electrified two of the Galra, while the others spread apart. Star shot Bomb Spores at the right ones and S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R.s at the left one, freezing him, while Kid finished him with the H.O.M.E.R.. The enemies would continue to drop bolts, and clearing this round rewarded them some ammo replenishment, too. (The P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K. required small batteries to use its energy.)
"They did well here! But can they handle the LOOP-DI-LOOP?!" A large, vertical loop appeared above the ring, with Galra using gravity boots to stand along it. Star floated onto it with Gravity Shift, but this battleground seemed just loopy enough to use the Shinespark! In no time, Star mowed the Galra down, except one was floating in the very middle of the loop. He needed to stop and use the Shinespark jump to blast him out of the air! "His thunderous speed knows no equal! But can he put it to the test?! Tiiiiiime FOR THE SPEED COURSE!"
A long track rose from the lava, leading to a portal. Star and Kid shared a nod as the latter hopped onto him. Star zoomed the track through the portal and came out on the roof of a Galra Cruiser. They quick-leapt over electric patches, followed by a long leap over a streak of electricity. "Star jumps well in the vacuum of space, but can he survive the acidic waters of VENOM?!" Another portal splorped them to a track on Venom. They avoided geysers of poison and jumped acidic pools. They were coming to a wall of geysers, but they died out to reveal a large poison pond. A long jump wasn't enough to clear it, but Star quickly shot his G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. to a floating point. They landed on safe ground and picked up speed to run through another portal.
"All our contestants need to do now is make the GRAND LEAP back into the Fight Hole!" They were running a desolate valley toward the gaping crater that was the stadium. Star leapt as soon as he was at the edge, flying magnificently over the audience and landing on the Goal Space! "OUR COSMIC HEROES WIN THE FIRST ROOOOUUUUND!" Kid reshaped himself like a basketball as Star bounced him around and tossed! (Play "The XC2 Battle Theme You Won't Forget!)
With that, the boys returned to the terminal and signed up for a 2-star contest, Mira Mayhem. "Imported from Planet Mira, where beasts thrive on the bodies of continental Titans, can our Cosmic Heroes topple the bone-crushing GOGOLS?!" The duo were faced with three huge, white gorillas! Star kept his distance and combined S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R.s with S.P.O.R.E. to deal heavy damage to the apes. Kid's weapons would have weaker attack power, but the boy could act as a distraction as he ran right toward the Gogols and let them flatten him. "Haha! Luckily, I HAVE no bones!"
Star KO'ed the Gogols with enough heavy firepower. "So they can handle a few bumbling beasts, but Star and Kid won't forget THIS battle!" The next foes to enter the ring were 10 Ardainian soldiers, three of which had Common Blades. And they were singing their trademark song, "DON'T forget me, DON'T forget me!" Fortunately, Kid was able to P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K. them through their metal armor, especially with several soldiers bunched together to get caught in the shockwaves, but the Bladed ones withstood the effects. An Earth Blade stomped a crater open to trap Kid while a Fire Blade scorched him, but Star quickly shot S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R.s at that Blade to chill it out before dispatching the Driver. Kid gooed himself free of the hole and pelted the other Ardainians with the H.O.M.E.R., with Star focusing S.P.O.R.E. on the Earth Blade. The last one to deal with was a Wind Blade that kept blowing them back, but Star simply countered its gust with Shinespark and rammed the Driver with such force that sent him into the audience!
"It's time for Star and Kid to prove their athleticism! For this final round, can they defeat all the enemies while continuously grind-railing?!" A Miran harpoon stand appeared and shot into a portal. Kid hopped on Star's shoulders as he grinded it into the floating islands of the Syra Hovering Reefs.
"Kid, better use this, too." Star lent him the S.P.O.R.E.. He would focus on grinding and jumping between rails while Kid shot down the Ekidnos flying about the reefs, as well as the fluffy white Kapibas on the islands. Once this round was cleared, the rail led through a portal to the Erythia Sea, where they jumped more rails just above the sea. Shoox were zooming around the surface, so Kid shot his H.O.M.E.R. at the fast, antenna'ed fish. His quick trigger-work won the day as another portal returned them to the ring!
"WAHAH! SUCH RAIL-HOPPING SKILL! Even the feeble human they call Tony Hawk would flop at the challenge! Star and Kid are the WINNEEEEEERRRRRRS!"
"I think Zurk kind of likes his new job." Star remarked.
The terminal was unavailable as another contestant took on some challenges, so the boys took this time for refreshments. They watched as the fighter swiftly defeated three Sheegoths with a dark-purple Galran sword. They wore dark armor with parts of blue and orange, along with a helmet, and they seemed about 6'11". "This is definitely the place Jason would like." Star said. "But I don't see them anywhere. Maybe they didn't come to the mall after all."
"Where else you think they could be?"
"Worst case scenario, they got interrogated by Galra and didn't respond cooperatively. …Yeah, that's probably it."
"ASTONISHING! Purple Leo crushes the competition with splendor! But does he have what it takes to fight the best?!"
"Well, how 'bout we do one more tournament?" Star asked. "The Weapons Pro 1 one looks fun."
"Okay!"
"In this challenge, Star and Kid must prove their versatility and apply the right weapons for the given situations!" The first round had them submerged in a pool of water full of Jelzaps. Star remembered these squids from Zebes and used the S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R. to freeze and defeat them. They were put back on land for the next round as floating platforms with War Wasp hives appeared. Kid could shoot the wasps down with the H.O.M.E.R., but they would keep appearing so long as the hives were intact. The S.P.O.R.E. was needed to destroy them. The third round placed four Galra on far platforms. There were electric pads on the edges of the arena opposite of them, which Kid could power up with the P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K.. Continuously powering them made grapple points lower, allowing Star to swing over and K.O. each of them.
"Our Cosmic Heroes are both strong AND resourceful! Another victory goes to THEEEEM!"
"Ha ha ha! We're on a roll, Kid!"
"And it will be your LAST!" a strong, womanly voice declared. (End song.)
The boys were stunned from Krosh's thundering arrival in the ring. Seeing the warrior up close in all her 8-foot might, the boys stepped backward in caution. "In a stunning turn of events, Champion Krosh has taken the stage?!"
"Not every day you find a couple rookies cleaning the competition. But then again, you're not a normal rookie, are ya, Supreme Leader Star?"
"Uhhh…are you a fan?" he asked half-nervous and hopefully.
Krosh grinned, baring her green fangs, as her eye gem twinkled. "Vilgax will reward me handsomely!" (Play "Maktar Boss" from Going Commando!)
Boss fight: Krosh
"Well, Kid, 'guess we don't have a choice!" Star quickly shot spores at the giant, but Krosh brushed the explosions off before running for a kick. The boys dodged and ran, but when Krosh ran after them, Kid ran under her boots to try and glue her to the ground. Star tried to reinforce the effect with S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R., but Krosh endured against the ice. She pulled free of Kid's goop and kicked the blob straight toward the lava, but Star quickly grappled him back. Krosh seized the chance for a downward punch, blowing Star across the ring. Krosh ran for the next round; Kid frantically shot the H.O.M.E.R. while Star dealt Bomb Spores, but the Galran-Glomourian leapt for a slam-dunk attack!
The thunderous impact was thwarted by a sword. The helmeted fighter saved them from a near-fatal blow. "You!"
"And now Purple Leo is in the ring?! Was this on the roster? I can't do this job if no one tells me anything!"
"Who do you think you are?!" Krosh asked. "Stay out of my way!" She threw punches that were countered by the fighter's sword, until one clean hit sent his helmet flying off. A curtain of white hair flowed from his purple head, his ears as pointy as his chin. He possessed narrow blue eyes with yellow sclera. "You…What're you doing here?"
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT! 'Purple Leo' was none other than the Prince of the Galra Empire, LLLLLOTOOOOOOORRRRRR!"
"I believe you mean Emperor Lotor now." He corrected in a charming voice. "And you, Krosh, were among the Galra dissenters who made contact with the Vilgaxians. It seems they've lent you a little gift."
"KRAH!" She tried to smash him, but Lotor flipped and stomped her arms down before giving her a face full of violet fire.
"Violet firebending?!" Star gasped. "Kid, you know how rare that is?!"
"HRAH!" Krosh reeled back as they heard a shattering sound.
"Your presence here was unexpected, Supreme Leader Star. But we'll exchange pleasantries later. Krosh seems to have a pain-absorption ability, but it seems enough concentrated damage nullifies it. Now is our chance!"
"Right!" Growing confident, Star once again pelted her with Spore Bombs and Kid the H.O.M.E.R., finally knocking her about. Krosh flipped right and raised her arms to block either attack, afterwards charging for a direct punch at Star. He narrowly avoided and felt a gust of wind, shooting the S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R. to make her legs chilly. Lotor dealt a swift kick to knock her off her feet, leaving Kid to bounce on her with the P.O.G.O.S.H.O.C.K..
Krosh swat him off and stood, powering the pain absorption back up. This time, she dodged Lotor's flames and sent clapping shockwaves at her enemies. "Hey, stop attacking her for a second!" Star requested.
"Second?"
"I mean, a tick! Just let her stand there!" Star got to the opposite side from Krosh: there was just enough space for him to charge the Shinespark and ram her, the warrior forced to hold her ground. Lotor then pelted her with flaming slashes and destroyed her protection. Kid ran to goo her legs to the ground while Star shot her with enough S.N.O.B.O.M.B.E.R. to freeze her. He combined the force of Bomb Spores with Lotor's swordplay until the warrior bellowed a definitive, "KRRROOOOOOSSSSSH…" and collapsed on her back.
"YEA-HEAH!" Kid cheered at the raving crowds. "WAHOOOOOOOO!" (End song.)
Lotor stepped up and pried the gem from Krosh's mask. "This was the source of her strength. I don't suppose you know what this is?"
"It's another Power Stone!" Kid exclaimed.
"A Heart of a World…" Star said in awe. "But why was Krosh wearing it? Kid's friends just absorbed theirs."
"CHAMPION KROSH WAS DEFEATED! Behold, the unparalleled power of Emperor Lotor, Supreme Leader Star, and Kid COSMIIIIIIIC!"
"Perhaps we should adjourn to somewhere quieter." Lotor suggested. "Space, perhaps?"
Side Quest: King of the Fight Hole! Progress through the story to unlock more challenges for the arena!
Star and Kid returned to the W.A.R.P.S.T.A.R. and met up with Lotor in his craft, the Sincline. "Now, let us start fresh: I am Lotor, newly crowned Emperor of the Galra Empire."
"Star Winkiebottom, High Supreme Leader of the GKND! This is my new protégé, Kid Cosmic!"
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. In my studies, I've heard much about the Kids Next Door's deeds… and only recently did I bear witness to them firsthand. The corruption my father has wrought has almost been quelled. Yet, now we face a new crisis. You claim that this gem is the Heart of a World?"
"Yeah. We don't know how he's doing it, but Emperor Vilgax is collecting them. We only came here in the first place to check up on one of the sectors who was sent here. They wanted to help with the Vilgax situation. Do you know if Sector DEFENDER met up with them?"
"I believe the Paladins had done to deal with some pirates before I embarked on this mission. Let us see to their progress, shall we?"
"Sure! …" But it was then Star put the pieces together. "Oh, no."
Near Kraydah Moon
"Hee hee hee! Oi LOVE the Quintessa Galaxy!" This was Captain Jason's only response to battling giant, colored, robot lions above a cloud-covered moon!
Ace pilot, Ralph Gilligan, was pursued by the Red Lion, curving his space-plane to narrowly dodge its jaw blade. "If you're training that thing for the circus, it's doin' a pretty poor job!"
"Oh, YEAH?!" yelled the lion's pilot, Lance, a brown-haired boy with light-tan skin. "Well, I say my lion's on FIRE!" A powerful laser fired from the lion's mouth. Christina Uno, attached to the back of Ralph's plane, unleashed a strong beam of green fire to push the beam back.
"Huuuurrrr! Pretty… cool, if you ask me!" Christina remarked while mildly straining.
"Not as cool as this!" Ralph twisted wing cannons backward and shot F.R.A.P.P.E. missiles to freeze the lion's jaw. Christina then launched herself to land a flaming punch into Lance's cockpit.
"For kid pirates, they sure are a pain!" said Pidge, the short pilot of the Green Lion. They wore glasses and had short chestnut hair. Pidge fired a large seed at the Raccoon Pirates' train ship, the Young Sunny, growing vines that bound it in place. "That'll hold them!"
"Trella, Isabelle, get to sawin' those vines!" Shimmy ordered.
"Aye-aye!" Isabelle strummed sharp notes to cut the vines while Trella sang for Woodcutter Monkeys to help. "Silica, this would go a LOT better if you got off your butt and helped!"
The pudgy, spiky-pigtailed gamer was fixed on her game. "Did you even tell them we were KND operatives?"
"The captain insists it's more fun this way!"
"I swear, our captain's orders!" Laruta huffed. "Mali, focus gas on the Green Lion!"
"Sorry about this, Mr. Giant Kitty!" Laruta and Mali flew a small and large craft around the lion, covering it with a cloud of their gas.
"Cough, cough!" It went up the lion's nose and made Pidge gag. "What do these girls eat? Well, they won't see this coming!" Pidge turned on the lion's cloak and flew out of the cloud, ramming both girls' ships.
"Nice one, Pidge!" praised Hunk, the Yellow Lion's Paladin. He was a husky boy with darker tan skin and dark-brown hair. "I'll try to slice through their ship!"
"TOO BAD!" Shimmy steered the train downward in evasion. "We just got freed! Now, take THIS!" She blasted fluffy-looking missiles that covered the Yellow Lion in Rainbow Monkeys.
"Uh, what?" Hunk cocked a brow.
Rainbow Monkeys, GET HUGGING! Trella cheered.
"H-Hey, w-w-what…" Hunk panicked as spirits came out of the dolls and smothered him in hugs. "Guys! I'm being strangled by ghost dolls! HEEEEEELP!"
"Hold still, Hunk!" Allura said. Paladin of the Blue Lion, she had warm brown skin, pointed ears, crescent pink markings under her blue eyes, a thin gold headband with a blue jewel, and white hair done up in a puffy ponytail. "I'll see if I can do something!" She shot an ice beam from her lion to freeze the dolls.
"Do something about THIS!" Isabelle strummed notes through a radio, spreading them into the lions' transmissions. The notes were especially effective on Allura's longer ears.
Jason flew around on a water bike-like ship and faced the Black Lion. It projected energy wings that Jason deflected with Light Hand slaps. It tried to surprise Jason with the mouth cannon, but Jason stomped the gas to zoom above it, spinning twin Light Fists. He collided both with the head of the lion, forcing it into a half-bow. "Ah'm gonna tame you beasties and put you in me own zoo!"
"Alright, I've had enough of this!" shouted Keith, the stern-faced, black-haired Paladin. "FORM VOLTRON!" (Play "Voltron Theme" from Legendary Defender!)
The five lions became like colored stars! The kids stared mesmerized as they soared high into space and transformed. The Black Lion shaped like a human torso. The Green Lion took the place of its left arm. The red became its right. The yellow inserted itself into the left leg socket and the blue became the right. Then the Black Lion's mouth opened to bare the proud, shining face of Voltron. Red jetpacks stretched from its shoulders and it bore a great blue sword!
"Wait a minute, guys. Something's not right." Keith said. The sword was somehow sticking out of the "butt" of the green arm, not the mouth!
"Whoops!" Pidge blushed. "I was working out some kinks, but I guess I misplaced the sword's projection point! Let's disassemble, fix it, and try again."
So, Voltron did the splendid sequence in reverse. The Raccoon Crew waited in patient disbelief as Pidge fixed the glitch. Afterwards, they would watch the transformation again, this time with the sword in the lion's jaw.
"ORRIIIIIIGHT!" Jason burned his Rising Sun Fury!
"THAT'S what I'm talking about!" Christina joined him, ablaze with emerald horns and her new sword! They flew straight up to the sword's declining arch, meeting it in a galaxy-shaking standoff! "OiiiiiIIIIII!" But the strongest duo were blown down, crashing through the deck of their ship…
And making Silica drop her game. In the darkness, they met her fierce gaze. Jason and Chris, with blank expressions, pointed upward. "Hunk! Shoulder cannon!" Keith ordered.
"It's another fighter!" Pidge gasped as a shadowy ship launched from the Sunny. Pidge zoomed in her monitor. "Wait… it can't be!"
"I just discovered a new skip on the Kreeli Comet, YOU JERKS!"
"IT'S SILICA YORK!"
"WHAT?!" Lance gasped.
"Who is that?" Keith and Allura asked.
"Wait, Silica! We didn't know! It's me, Katie! Fujisaki!"
"PALADINS, STOP!"
The voice of Lotor pulled their attention. "Those pirates are not your enemies!"
"Sector V, what happened out here?!"
"STAR?!" Jason exclaimed.
"SHE'S STILL ATTACKING UUUUUUS!" Pidge screamed under Silica's relentless fury.
Castle of Lions
They all reconvened at a grand castle-ship of white and light-blue colors. "What the QUIZNAK did you think was going to happen?!" shouted Coran, a man with light-red hair and a big mustache. He had pointed ears, white gloves, and a dark-blue jacket accented with yellow, white, and gray. "Taking down a Galra patrol ship and calling yourselves pirates!"
"I mean, it's what we did when we infiltrated the space mall." Hunk shrugged. He wore an orange headband, yellow shirt, green vest, and brown pants.
"That's where I thought you'd be in the first place." Star replied.
"Oi wouldn't-a done it any different!" Jason declared. "Not if it meant not getting to fight rainbow lions!"
Rainbow Lions, Rainbow Lions, all so very big and into fightin'! Trella hummed to herself.
"Star, check out the mustache on that guy." Kid snickered. "Who grows them like that?"
"Young man," Coran overheard him, "I'll have you know my father was Mustachio! I've had this 'stache since I was a baby and have cared for it tenderly ever since!"
"And it's rude to make fun of someone's appearance, anyway!" Laruta shouted.
"'Cause she doesn't have one to be proud of." Christina smirked.
"Hooooooh!"
"I'm… really sorry about your game, Silica." Pidge nervously said to the scowling York, who went back to playing. Pidge had dark-gray shorts, a shirt with a white torso and sleeves, but green shoulders and bottom rim, and orange-red shoes that matched the cuffs. "Remember me? We met at Masterson H.Q.. My dad works at the company."
"You look different."
"I, uh…kinda changed my look because too many people kept hounding me for free games."
"Your dad makes videogames?!" Kid gasped. "Dude, that's awesome! What's he making now?"
"That's trade secret. And for the record, I'm a girl."
"DWUH?" Kid's gooey jaw twisted.
"Teeheehee!" Mali held Hunk in her hand and poked him. "Squishy tubby!"
"Hahaha, don't press my lunch out!"
"I didn't think there'd be anyone bigger than Ralph!" Shimmy teased.
"Hehn?" Ralph cocked a brow.
"Well, I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot." Allura replied with a British-like accent. "It's wonderful to meet all of you. I'm Allura, the princess of Altea."
"Ooooo, a princess!" Isabelle beamed.
"Uh, I'm one, too." Christina reminded, twisting her pinky in her ear to rid an itch.
"Altea is the capital world of Quintessa." Star informed.
"Yeah. We know." Keith replied.
"Don't mind him, he's a walking encyclopedia." Kid said.
"So is Keith sometimes!" Lance joked, nudging him. "Right?! Kinda?"
"Well, we've both had quite the chance encounters." Lotor said. "Now, I think we'd like to share our findings."
Star briefed everyone on Vilgax's plans and his current loss of powers. Lotor followed up with, "And it would seem the Galra dissenters have taken arms with him. After I reignited the Sacred Flame and became emperor, we have been at civil war with Sendak and numerous other generals. Based on your intel, I have a feeling what their next move may be."
"What's that?" Laruta asked.
"To answer that question," Coran began jovially, "we must first teach you some basic Galran history! So, let us put in a good doccy-woccy!" He whipped out a CD and inserted it into the meeting room's TV.
"You're watching A Brief Galran History! Written, edited, and produced by Coran Smythe!" The title was made with cardboard and crayon drawings. "Planet Daibazaal." A drawing of a red planet that looked like a dried meteorite. "The homeworld of the Galra Empire. 10,000 deca-phoebs (years) ago, the planet was struck by a comet radiating with powerful Dark Quintessence." A crude dark-purple drawing depicted this.
"Quintessence?" Isabelle asked.
"What they call chi in this galaxy." Keith answered.
"The darkness spread to the Heart of Daibazaal. The Galrans, once a peaceful bunch," a drawing of Galrans frolicking in a bright field of flowers, "became VICIOUS, warmongering monsters!" It quickly flipped to a darker picture of growling Galrans. "They waged war on neighboring planets, but King Raimon of Altea, along with his trusted Paladins from other worlds, created the Lions of Voltron!" The lions were all fully colored their respective ones, with no white parts or otherwise. "Together, they fought the evil Galra forces and defeated the primary harbinger of the Dark Quintessence, Emperor Daibazaal. Who was named after the planet, if that isn't conceited." A purple man with fish fins.
"The Galra used to be fish?" Jason asked.
"I heard he hooked up with a Mer." Lotor replied. "But those traits dissipated over the eons."
"Daibazaal's son, Prince Sincline, succeeded the throne, but the darkness still lurked in the planet's Heart. To ensure the darkness would be put to slumber, the God of Suns, Solaris gifted the Galra a Sacred Flame," Coran clearly had a hard time drawing Solaris, "to keep their souls warm. So, for 10,000 deca-phoebs, the Galra lived in relative peace, until one day, 23 deca-phoebs ago, Emperor Zarkon and his wife dug into Daibazaal's core. They tried to harvest the Heart for its power, but before long, became corrupted by it. Their instincts compelled them to destroy the Heart itself." A drawing of Pac-Man-like Zarkon and his wife munching through the heart. "Daibazaal collapsed, except for the island of Feyiv, where the Sacred Flame and the Kral Zera ceremony is held. Now without a planet, the emperor declared war on Quintessa. Which brings us to the present day! The Galra attacked Altea, Allura and I got in escape pods," a drawing of the Galra beating up King Alfor while Coran carried Allura and bolted, "wound up on Coruscant," the pods bumped Lance and Hunk in the heads, "met up with Sector DEFENDER, and invited them back home to reawaken the lions and become the NEW PALADINS OF VOLTROOOOOON!"
Jason's, Kid's, Chris's, and some of the others' eyes spun from the rapid information. "So… how does this connect to Vilgax's plan?" Star asked.
"Because I believe they may be after… my father's body." Lotor surmised. "The essence of Daibazaal's heart could still be inside him."
"Guys!" The head of a man with black hair and a white front tuft appeared onscreen. "I think we have an emergency."
"Shiro!" Keith lit up. "What happened?"
"I was doing patrol around Feyiv. There were Galra rebels around the island, but they left just as I arrived. When I checked the island, Zarkon's grave was emptied!"
"Quiznak!" Lotor swore.
"What's a quiznak? Sounds tasty." Kid said.
"You don't want to know." Allura answered. "Shiro, we have to track those ships down at once!"
"Understood!"
"STREWTH! Time for more SPACE BATTLES!" Jason cheered.
"You shouldn't be excited, Captain!" Laruta argued.
"Space battllllles!" Kid jumped on Jason's shoulders. "YEEEAAAAH!" And the captain ran off with him.
"Well, you gotta love your job." Star shrugged. "Kids Next Door, battle stations!"