History Fanfic / DefendersOfTheUniverse

''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12946100/1/Defenders-of-the-Universe Defenders of the Universe]]'' ([[https://archiveofourown.org/works/14743427 AO3 link here]]) is an AlternateUniverse crossover fanfic between ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' and ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender'', with ''WesternAnimation/SymBionicTitan'' added later, by [[https://www.fanfiction.net/u/7753992/Halo20601-AKA-MasterCheifMan Halo20601 AKA MasterCheifMan]].

* BigBad: Zarkon, being the malevolent dictator controlling most of the universe and all that.

** The Galra see the Gems less as sentient beings and more as sources for unlimited Quintessence that just happen to be capable of walking and talking.

** The Galra themselves dislike almost any race that isn't them. Comes with being a ProudWarriorRace that controls the universe.

** Homeworld Gems don't like defective Gems or organics. Even on a rescue mission, they had orders to kill on sight if either were spotted. Hessonite in particular hates organics not out of malice, but because they make a mess when she kills them.
** The Diamond Authority has a low opinion of organic life in general.
** Galra have also been shown to be disdainful, if not outright murderous, toward half-breeds of their own. Narti was hunted down just for existing back during Zarkon's reign.

** Shiro doesn't suffer from any debilitating illnesses in this fanfic.

After successfully saving the Earth from the Cluster, Steven Universe returns to Beach City. However, a series of events spurs him, Connie, the Crystal Gems, and their new friend Katie "Pidge" Holt on an adventure that takes them beyond the confines of not just Earth, but their very galaxy as well. Through this, they learn that the Diamond Authority aren't the only threat to the universe. Now, if they are to defeat this new threat, they will need to bring together an ancient warrior loved by good and feared by evil...

* CurseCutShort: A more family friendly version. When Ulaz throws a grenade into a room of unsuspecting Galra soldiers, one of them only goes as far as "What the quiz..." before it blows up in his face.
* DarkerAndEdgier: There's actual cursing here when there wasn't in either series (barring some family friendly substitutes) and certain enemies die in [[BloodierAndGorier rather bloody ways]]. Not to mention that characters go though more bodily harm than they did in either show, and Garnet gets killed trying to save Shiro and the other Paladins.

** Peridot has yet to gain her metal manipulation and has shown no signs of developing.

** Peridot has yet to gain her metal manipulation and has shown no signs of developing it yet.

** Naturally, as she never suffered serious mental torture at the bottom of the ocean, Jasper [[InvertedTrope inverts]] this. She also never becomes corrupted.

** [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] with Lotor, as he was able to grow up with Zarkon and Hornerva when they were still their old selves, so he was able to have some happiness in his childhood prior to his exile.

** Voltron himself is also shown to be feared. Zarkon takes the threat he poses very seriously, and this is a guy who controls a majority of the universe and its resources. Yellow Diamond's [[OhCrap expression]] and hasty disconnection after being told that the five ships Emerald encountered where the Lions shows that she is also deeply ''terrified'' of Voltron.

** [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] with Lotor, as he was able to grow up with Zarkon and Hornerva when they were still their old selves.

[[caption-width-right:350:Cover-art by [=Halo20601=] (Can be found [[https://halo20601.tumblr.com/image/188303572924 here]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Cover-art by Halo20601 (Can be found [[https://halo20601.tumblr.com/image/188303572924 here]]]]

%%[[caption-width-right:350:Main Cover Art]]

** It's implied that Blue Diamond's EmotionBomb can affect non-Gem races as well and she even gets a SinisterScythe to use in combat, so she doesn't just rely on energy attacks.

* CasualInterstellarTravel: As is the norm with both series, crossing galactic distances isn't much of a chore.
** This is somewhat [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] in that while they have the means to cross these vast distances with ease, there are a few bumps in the road. It took the Red Lion two years to bring Keith, Shiro, and Matt to Earth due to external factors (Dealing with Galra, food and supply stops, letting Red recharge, etc.), and even without those factors, it still would have taken a while. Something to remember is that the Red Lion is the fastest of the Voltron Lions, so it's telling that the trip took her so long.

** This is also subverted with the Galaxy Garrison. While their advanced technology allows them to reach the furthest parts of Earth's solar system in two years - far faster than it would take in real life - it's still a very long wait time to reach their destination.

* AdaptationalJerkass: Downplayed with the Galalunans, but they have a reputation for racism and xenophobia here compared to what was seen in ''Sym-Bionic Titan''.

** The Balmerans, Taujeer, Merfolk, and Hoarfrost aliens all return in "Preparations" to aid in the final fight against Zarkon.

** Most of the Voltron Force lose their ability to trust Allura after they learn that she deliberately kept the truth about Zarkon and the Black Lion from them. Especially since withholding said information almost got them killed and contributed to Garnet's death. After Garnet's funeral though, they do start to move past it, though Keith is on lukewarm terms with Allura. They are eventually able to mend fences before the final fight against Zarkon.

* AdaptationalHeroism: General Modula never betrayed Galaluna in this story. In addition, the Mutraddi also fight alongside Galaluna when the Galra attack, signifying that they are also aligned with the heroes. Though in the past, they were shown to be violent and ruthless when Alfor and his allies fought them, so it's more of them [[TookALevelInKindness having grown less bloodthirsty over the millennia]].

'''Warning! Late arrival spoilers for Chapters 1-20'''

* SynchronousEpisodes: Chapters 24 and 25, titled "Belly of the Beast" and "Escape from the Zoo" respectively, occur at the same time.

** The Gems themselves are connected to the Quintessence plane. Their gems connect them to it with their bodies being made from pure Quintessence. Needless to say, this has made them ''very'' valuable to the Galra, and not in any good way.

** Keith, while he was fairly badass in canon, he was ultimately just as inexperienced as the other paladins. Here, he's been a member of the [[TheResistance Blade of Marmora]] for almost all his life and has been the pilot of the Red Lion for well over two years, making him the most experienced paladin in the group thus far.