The cheering and yells echoed down the normally quiet corridors of Housing. Then again, the Arusians normally didn't win battles against Ro-Beasts. Down the corridors, the waves of people flowed and above their heads were the five Alliance officers who were once shunned and now celebrated. Lance and Sven exchanged a high five while Keith sat buddha-like, a serene smile on his face. Pidge laughed as Hunk struggled to stay upright. The hands holding him up weren't quite strong enough to keep him steady. Allura stood at main's doorway, a smug expression on her face. The people lowered their voices when they saw her, but she only smiled.

"I'm not a party pooper," she said with a shrug.

The voices rose in a crescendo and she waded through the crowd until she was next to--beneath rather--Keith. He grinned down at her.

"Is this going to happen every time we slice a Ro-Beast in half?" he asked.

"After the fiftieth, I'm sure they'll get tired of it."

"Was that a joke, Princess?" Lance said over the din. "I didn't know you had a sense of humor." He nudged Sven. "See, you do learn something new everyday!"

"Just wait until I can reach you," she threatened, shaking a finger in the air.

The crowd surged towards the mess hall. It was already full by the time they got there and food was laid out on the long tables. Nanny pushed and shoved her way through the people to get to Allura.

"You did not tell me dere vas going to be a party!" she exclaimed.

"No one told me either."

The Arusians began a rousing version of the Arusian national anthem as the Voltron Force was passed from person to person until they were at the head of the table with Allura. She waited as the song's last note died down and then spoke.

"What can I say?" she said. "These men have proven that they are the true and noble pilots of the Lion ships. They are either going to lead us to victory or to our ultimate death. But in any scenario, we are going to fight for our freedom. No longer will we live in the cover of the earth, nor move like shadows on our own planet. Today is the day that Arus will fight again!"

The crowd cheered. She had never seen her people so happy and it felt like her heart was going to burst. She gestured for the boys to follow her into the boardroom. The people didn't notice for they were busy hugging each other and celebrating their coming freedom. They entered the room and were met by Coran. In his arms, he held five boxes.

"Vat do you have dere, Coran?" Sven asked.

Allura took the top box and gave it to Keith. She handed out the rest of them. They opened the boxes and five pairs of eyes widened.

"The uniforms of the Voltron Force," Keith said reverently. "Princess..."

She held up a hand to silence him. "Please, wear them. It is tradition."

Pidge pulled out his uniform and grinned.

"It's the right size."

Allura smiled indulgently. "Nanny fixed them up."

"Thank you," Hunk said. "Because I sure don't think I could fit into something like that." He pointed at Keith's smaller uniform.

Keith pulled out his uniform and stared at it. It was white with a black helmet, black boots, and black shoulders to match his Lion. On the left breast was his Alliance rank and the crest of the Royal House of Arus. The other uniforms were the same and the colors corresponded with the Lion being piloted. Allura fingered the soft material.

"My father wore this," she told him quietly.

"Then I am honored to be wearing it," he replied.

Her blue eyes bore into him.

"Good." She managed a smile for the rest of them. "I think there's a party out there for you."

They bowed and made their way out the door. Coran put an arm around her shoulders.

"Are you alright, Princess?" he asked gently.

"I'm fine. Go ahead and join them. I'll be there in a moment."

He gave her one long look then did as he was told. Allura stood in the silent room for a moment longer then left. Unnoticed, she cut her way through the crowds and out into the corridor only to have to fight her way through the throngs of people as well. Finally, she made it to the arboretum and to peace and quiet.

"Well, Father," she said to the empty air. "We finally have our team."

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the boardroom, a tiny shadow swiftly slid through the doors that Allura had left open and into the rest of the base.

Hagar stroked her Blue cat's head as she watched the image before her. Her small spy had made it inside the compound with no problems. Using her black magic, she had fashioned a minute fly that could transmit images back to her. It merely hid in Pidge's flightsuit as he went to fetch the Green Lion and stayed there until he returned to the compound.

The defeat of her Ro-Beast was only a test. Now she knew that though they were powerful, they were still untrained and had no idea of the awesome power that Voltron had. They had to act fast and with enough force to eliminate the Arusian resistance at last. She smiled to herself as she watched the small red dot make its way across the screen that held the map of Arus. They have the location of Housing. There was nothing left to do but attack.