Step by step, the path unfolds.

Huh! I'm back!

User detected: Disengaging.

~~Hey partner. Sorry about that, I was- Why are we in orbit?~~ I say as I look down at the planet.

Response: User was not detected. Unknown entity deemed responsible. Voltron ascended to safe planetary altitude to perform long range scanning for user quintessence signature.
User quintessence signa- You can detect my soul? I think, baffled.

Response: Correct.

~~Why am I surprised? What~~ can't ~~you do?~~

Response: Unknown. Response query: What can't you do? Voltron asks me. I float there, momentarily stunned at the unexpected question.

~~I… don't know. I guess I'll find out.~~ I fly back down to the surface, finding the construction area I was in before.

"Diego!" Kolivan calls out to me, princess Celestia standing next to him.

"Where did you go?" She asks.

~~Orbit. Voltron went up when he noticed I wasn't in the pilot seat any more.~~

"Diego?" Celestia asks, not having heard me.

"It seems you cannot hear him anymore. He said Voltron took his body into orbit." Kolivan says.

"I see. Well, it was nice while it lasted." Celestia comments.

~~Felt weird to breathe again. And to feel clothes on my skin.~~

"I would not know what that would feel like." Kolivan says, to Celestia's confusion.

~~Anyway, how's Pica?~~ I ask.

"She is fine. Unharmed and calming down, partially thanks to more pacification spells." Kolivan replies. We all enter the tent, which now has a large hole in the ceiling. Pica lays in her cot, asleep with magicians moving away from her.

"She's asleep, we were finally able to calm her down but she seems exhausted." One of them reports.

"She has been through a lot. Thank you, major." Princess Celestia says, the magicians all leaving the tent. "I do believe we should leave her to her rest."

"I agree. Come, we can discuss things in a private tent." Kolivan says. He then escorts us to a tent off to the side of the site.

"So, Diego, Kolivan, all three of us see the same thing, correct?" Celestia asks us.

"Bob." Kolivan and I both say, Celestia only hearing Kolivan. Celestia nods and turns to me.

"What was he?" She asks.

~~Kolivan, could you repeat this?~~ I ask, getting a nod in return. ~~Thanks. His name is Bob, like I said. As far as I know, he's a higher dimensional being who, according to my information, tests brave heroes.~~

"That was not a test of honour." Celestia says as she finishes hearing Kolivan quote me.

"I agree." Kolivan says.

~~So do I. He's supposed to be weird but… this one was… cruel. Not to mention, malicious. Almost like he wasn't entirely sane. Or as sane as he's supposed to be.~~

"What do you mean when you say, "this one"?" Kolivan asks.

~~The one we met and the one I'm familiar with. They're almost completely different.~~ I reply.

"What one are you familiar with? Have you met something like him before?" Kolivan asks.

~~No but…~~ I sigh. I look to Celestia, wondering what to do.
No. No more. No more secrets.

~~Kolivan. You'll want to sit down for this.~~ I tell him. He sits on a desk chair, turning it to face me. Celestia sits on a spare chair. I decide to sit on the ground.

I begin to explain. My origin. The multiverse theory. And the show. Throughout the whole explanation, Kolivan has an unemotional look on his face but I can sense that what I'm saying is affecting him.

I explain the Paladins of Voltron. I explain my knowledge of the Galra. I explain how I believe I came to appear in this dimension. And I explicitly explain that this dimension is vastly different from the show. Celestia simply sits, waiting for the silent explanation to end patiently.

Eight doboshes… ten minutes later, I finish.
~~…and after that, the paladins go on to continue contributing to the universe, making it a better place. Living or the rest of their lives. Now, I don't know if the same will happen here.~~

~~In fact, I'm almost certain the ending in this dimension will be different. I don't know how, but it will. Now, I'm not asking you to forgive me for keeping this from you. I felt that if I shared this with you, you'd call me insane.~~

~~You probably do. All I ask is that you continue fighting. Yes, this is very confusing information. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. But the difference between Legendary Defender and here is real. This isn't a program for teenagers to watch.~~

~~This is what I am experiencing, what you are experiencing. What everyone is living. And I know for a fact, there are people out there suffering. And I know I can do something about it. So, I ask you this. Are we still on the same side?~~ I finally ask him. He remains silent, tilting his head down to look at himself.

"I… ask for time." He finally says. "Time… to process what you have told me. I shall continue the construction, continue the plan to bring the Dagger here. When it arrives, we may continue this discussion. Do you understand?" He looks at me.

~~Of course. In the meantime, I'll help out where I can.~~ I reply. Kolivan nods. I stand from the ground, making my way out. Celestia follows me.

"What did you tell him?" She asks before she realises I can't reply.

"Answer: The truth." Voltron replies for me.

"I see." She remains silent for a few moments. "Diego?" She finally asks. I turn my head to her. "What was the form your Bayard took when you fired at Bob? I don't believe it matches the description for any of your weapons." Celestia asks me. I think back to then… only to draw a blank.

"Response: Information restricted." Voltron says.

"Restricted? What does that mean?" Celestia asks.

"Response: Information has been deemed undisclosable. Neither user, nor others may access it. Apologies." Voltron says.

"Apologies?!" Celestia and me both yell.

"Are you saying you aren't allowing Diego to know that he defended someone?!" Celestia shouts, angry.

~~She's right! Why can't I know what weapon I used?~~

"Answer: Classification applies. User has not advanced enough to earn unique Bayard form." Voltron answers, a small notion of sadness in his voice.
Wait, unique Bayard form? DO I HAVE MY OWN BAYARD WEAPON?!

Response: Correct. Notice: Voltron is not allowed to disclose information on unique Bayard forms until user has advanced to correct level.

"Diego? Voltron?"
So you're saying if I keep getting better, I'll eventually be allowed to use my own Bayard. Correct?

Response: Correct. Voltron informs me. I stop walking, shocked.

~~Well, how far along am I?~~ I ask.

Response: 63%.

~~So I'm very well along. I just have to keep getting better at controlling my powers.~~

Response: Correct. Voltron says, his voice sounding a little exited.

"DIEGO!" Celestia shouts, drawing some attention.

~~Bwah!~~ I startle back, snapping back to awareness.

"Are you alright? You've been standing still for a whole minute." Celestia asks. I wave my arm, showing her I'm fine. I then show her that I'm heading back to the castle, to which she nods. I crouch down, about to take off-

Warning: Possible transmission detected. Source: Repeating pattern of white noise.

Author's Note

Another chapter, more character-building, another cliff-