The Rise of Voltron: Season 1: Chapter 6 - Return of the Vanguard

Space created neither light, nor sound, nor warmth. It was a cradle for such things; a void through which they could spread and grow as they pleased. With its vastness, anything could hide in any crevice or crater. The Galra, however, had no need to hide, nor a desire to.

None outside their own kind had seen it and lived. An artificial solar system; a testament to their taming of the universe itself, down to the very last atom. The outermost ring held it all together in its field, and was lined with terrible and fearsome weapons. Upon the second ring hung a terraformed gas giant of scathing red, the metal cutting through its core like an oversized pearl on a bracelet. It and the third ring housed innumerable warships and fighters. The last of them, the smallest, which boasted the most advanced surveillance technology in eight galaxies, spun close to the nucleus of this miniature solar system, yet it was not a star it orbited.

It was a space station. In every way, a monolithic feat of engineering. The twisted reflection of the Castle of Lions sat within its den as it had for thousands of years: hungry and waiting. From above its core branched a pair of spires, curved like the cruel horns of a dragon; below sprang its four thick fangs, two great and two small. Hundreds of thousands of lights dotted its hull of dark, angular metal, nearly mimicking the cosmos in which it resided while squadrons of fighters soared around in neat patrols, barely specs against such a fortress.

Countless soldiers wandered the massive halls; many of metal and circuits, some of flesh and blood. Just such a pair of soldiers were currently kneeling in the core of the base, their fists over their hearts in salute. The very nature of the chamber — its titanic size that threatened to swallow all who dared enter, its walls displaying the might of the Galra Empire on an all-encompassing screen — made feeble anyone foolish enough to challenge the throne. One of the soldiers was currently speaking, his echoing voice childishly small in the cavernous space.

“…allowing the Red Lion to escape, severely damage our flagship, and decimate the last cruiser of our fleet. The Druid’s magic covered our retreat.”

Sendak let out a slow, shallow breath. Several times, his voice had wanted to betray him and tremble, but he’d swallowed it back, though his stare bored into the floor more potently than usual. This wasn’t the first time he’d failed — all beings did at one point or another — yet reporting it never ceased to challenge his nerve, and the sheer scale of this defeat increased his shame tenfold.

On his right, mirroring his posture, Haxus’ every last muscle was taut, the pressure so severe it could’ve broken his bones were he of any frailer species. Sweat coated his brow and slid down his ashen face before falling to the metal below. It was deafeningly loud in the quiet.

On and on the silence stretched, possessing a gravity all its own. Not once did the shrouded figure before them move. His eyes were shut, hands folded in front of his face. If one didn’t know any better, they might’ve mistaken him for a statue, indistinguishable from the five snarling lion heads adorning the overshadowing throne. Sendak did know better, though, and so he waited. This was how it was. The Emperor would speak only when he wished to, not a moment before. Unfortunately, his second-in-command didn’t share such understanding and cleared his throat.

“My liege, I believe we can rectify this.” One of Sendak’s ears twitched toward him, followed by sharp glance. Haxus either didn’t notice or didn’t care and went on. “We know where their base is. If we strike now, we can crush them before they regroup.”

“That’s enough,” his commander growled through a clenched jaw.

His eyes flickered to the throne. No movement.

“We can make this right. Victory can still be ours, all we need do is grind those Humans to dust.” With every word, the colonel’s voice rose and quickened, his bow growing slacker. “Nothing will stand in our way, no one will be able to stop us. Give the order and I will tear your enemies asunder.”

“Hold your tongue!” Sendak hissed.

Haxus looked at the Emperor. “All will be broken beneath the heel of your loyal servant—!”

“Haxus!”

SLAM!

Both Galra snapped back to their proper posture as if struck to the ground.

The severe sound vibrated through the Emperor’s throne, slow to fade. Once-folded, armored claws now dug into the metal armrests with a slight screech — yet were careful not to damage the lion heads forged on the ends. Glowing eyes burned through the deep shadow obscuring his face and bored into his men’s skulls.

Colonel and general alike stayed perfectly still, though it wasn’t by their doing alone; an unnatural pressure flooded the room, squeezing the wind from their lungs. It was all they could do to keep from quivering, their hearts pounding in their skulls. Again they waited.

At last, ancient, jagged lips parted with a foggy breath, as if it were the first taken in centuries, and Zarkon spoke.

“General,” he said slowly, his frigid voice reverberating through the air like thunder, “I know you needn’t be reminded of the price of failure.”

Sendak grimaced, his cybernetic eye flashing dimly. The scar beneath ached a little.

“You had four chances, and gained four defeats. Now all the Lions are awoken and in the hands of the enemy.”

Surprise crossed his expression. He swiftly schooled it back into neutrality and replied, “Sire, I beg you, give us one more chance. We will hunt these foes to the edge of the universe and bring them before you, or die trying.”

“That you will.”

A dreaded understanding filled the two soldiers.

“However, you will not be the only ones. Lady Haggar has been working on a weapon that may prove to be the key to the Lions’ capture. Your next task shall be to observe how well it performs.”

‘Observe? That’s it? Like some lowly private?’ Haxus didn’t dare give voice to the words creeping up his throat, and instead spoke in unison with Sendak.

“Vrepit Sa.”

Their movements clipped (and perhaps hastier than usual), they stood and walked out of the throne room to await further instructions. As quiet attempted to take the chamber once more, the obsidian wall behind the throne quivered, and from it a shadow emerged, reforming into a cloak and robes of deepest purple, hemmed with gold, the skirt tattered and trailing in long strips. Long, pale hair hung on either side of the woman’s face, her eyes shrouded under a large hood. Her hunched posture and abnormally short stature for a Galra often invited those unacquainted with her to underestimate her abilities. She was quick to snuff out such doubt.

“What have you found?” asked Zarkon.

“Macidus’ memories confirm the report,” replied Haggar in her hushed, silken tone, punctuated by the subtle jangling of the three golden bangles on each wrist. “These new Paladins do indeed show promise, although they are very raw. I suspect some of them are not even proper pilots.”

“The Lions are helping them find their feet. But that won’t last for long, especially when they try to form Voltron.” His head tilted toward her. “What of your project?”

“Very nearly ready. All I need now is the proper candidate.” A wicked grin split the witch’s thin, blueish face. A golden eye peeked out from beneath her hood, gleaming with malice, its light illuminating a scarlet marking trailing like blood from it to her chin. “And I know just the one.”

———————————

A soft grunt echoed through the hallway alongside steady footsteps as Keith stretched his arm over his head. After the Black Lion was unlocked and Shiro had gotten a chance to acquaint himself with the controls and mental bond, he’d immediately rushed his brother to the medical room. It had been strange to don the white, skin-tight suit Coran insisted was necessary and then stand in a pod (the healing pods and cryopods turned out to be one and the same) while getting knocked out by weird energy-based gas. Being injury-free by morning definitely made it worth it, though. Once out, Coran had returned Keith’s clothes and left him to change and head to the dining room while he prepared breakfast. He let out a long yawn in time with the doors opening, and was glad to see the rest of the team there waiting for him.

“Whoa, that was a big one,” said Shiro, turning in his seat. “I take it that means you’re feeling better?”

“Much.” Keith pulled out the hover-chair next to him, one of twelve the long table easily hosted, his place already set, and sat down heavily. “Best I’ve slept for a while, actually.”

While his brother eyed him in suspicion, Lance said, “Yeah, you looked like Sleeping Beauty in that thing, but with zero beauty.”

“So, just sleeping?”

“Uh, we—y-yeah, but that’s—eh—”

He was mercifully cut off by a loud popping noise that drew everyone’s attention to Pidge, who’d apparently brought her entire workshop to breakfast. Machines she’d likely pilfered from the Altean lab spilled everywhere, wires dangling off the table. In the center of the chaos, Pidge sat hunched over her laptop, her fingers a mere blur on clacking keys, the light from the screen reflecting off her glasses, and highlighting her mad grin. Beside her was the Galra drone she’d picked up on Tenshig V, its shell pried open to reveal its half-dead innards, several of which were jammed into her laptop’s ports. Pausing her typing, she took two tools from the pile of equipment: a soldering rod and a mini blow torch to melt it. She poked at the exposed circuit board, attempting to bridge a severed pathway. Two pokes in, giant sparks flew from it, startling her clear off her chair. An error message flashed on-screen.

Hunk swiftly removed his plate of food goo from the blast radius, saying, “Do you have to do that now? The table’s meant for eating, not experimenting.”

“Hey, do I tell you not to bring food into my work station?” she asked, climbing back into her seat.

“Yes,” both classmates replied flatly.

“Number Two is quite right,” said Coran as he entered, a covered serving platter in his hands. “And to fill those growing bellies of yours, I prepared a special treat: an old Paladin favorite!”

The five leaned closer to the dish as he set it on the table, a glimmer of hope rising in their chests for the taste of at least semi-normal food. With a grand flourish, the Altean removed the cloche, revealing a steaming…something that caused their hope to wither and die. Piled on the platter was a mound of a dark green, gelatinous substance with large yellow blobs sticking out of it, sagging like they didn’t want to be there. Not even Shiro could completely mask his disgust as the Humans recoiled from the stench.

“Ulgh, that smells worse than the food goo.” Hunk gagged, slapping his hands over his nose. Platt took one whiff and promptly passed out, sending his fellow mice into a panic. “See? Even they think so!”

“Because it is even healthier than the food goo,” said Coran happily, as if their reaction was a good thing. “Now, who wants the first bite?”

Very suddenly, everyone seemed to either be completely full or have something they needed to do. Everyone, that is, except Keith. He took his spork and stabbed one of the blobs. The others watched in growing horror at the trail of gooey pink slime it came away with. Keith held it up to his face curiously. Despite his revulsion, Lance kinda wanted to see what would happen and leaned closer. Pidge was curling into herself, cringing, but couldn’t look away.

Hunk held up his hands like he was praying. “Keith, buddy, my pal, the best emo guy I know, please, for the love of all things cooked and baked, do not.”

Shiro had a hand over his mouth with a constipated expression, apparently resigned to watch. Coran, meanwhile, seemed thrilled. Keith barely hesitated before biting off half of the yellow glob. It let out a bubbly, squelching sound, sending a wave of nausea through the group. Long seconds passed as he chewed.

‘He’s so gonna hurl,’ was the thought in most of their heads.

Then he shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”

He swallowed and finished off the other half. Hunk and Pidge gagged loudly, the former nearly hurling while the latter pointedly buried her face in her screen.

“Why does that not surprise me?” said Lance.

Keith flicked his spork like a catapult, sending the remaining slime into his face, making him sputter and flail to get it off.

“Where did I go wrong?” said Shiro, dramatically burying his face in his hands.

“Well, I’d say you went somewhere very right if he’s enjoying his vegetables,” Coran said, beaming.

“That’s a vegetable?!”

“Ugh, this stuff smells so much worse up close.” Lance pulled his hand back, spreading a web of goop between it and his hair. Hunk stuck out his tongue, his stomach gurgling dangerously, while Pidge and the mice pointed and laughed.

“You had better eat your fill,” came Allura’s voice as she stepped into the room, dressed in a form-fitting black-and-white Altean space suit with accents of pink and royal blue, her hair tied up in a large, neat bun, “for today your training begins.”

Drool nearly spilled out of Lance’s mouth at the sight of her. Flicking away the last of the slime, he purred, “You can train me any way you like, nena.”

The others shared a look, Keith deadpanning, “That was more disgusting than the food.”

“You’re just jealous,” said Lance with a smirk.

“Of what? Your ability to make everyone uncomfortable?”

“Oh, you mean like you just did with the food glop, Mullet?”

Shiro rubbed his temple again. “Boys, can we wait until at least ten o’clock to start this?”

“Actually, I am glad he feels that way,” said Allura.

“You are?” asked Pidge, more than a little disconcerted.

The princess folded her arms neatly behind her back. “Yes, because with no way of knowing when the Galra will strike, you must train as hard as you are able for as long as you are able. Under my guidance, you should become proper Paladins in no time.”

One of Keith’s eyebrows tilted up skeptically. “You’re going to train us?”

She placed her hands on her hips at his silent challenge. “And why would I not?”

“Wouldn’t this kind of thing be more Coran’s department?”

“Not today, unfortunately,” he replied with a tug of his mustache. “I will help where I can, but the repair drones cannot do all the work by themselves. Plus, there are a few sections of the castle that are entirely unresponsive, so I will need to check on them personally.”

Just then, a swirl of grid light appeared, forming into the image of King Alfor. “In the meantime, perhaps I can be of assistance.”

“Ah, of course.” There was an odd hesitancy in Allura’s tone, one that made Keith and Shiro glance at each other.

“Alright, so where do we start?” asked Shiro.

“Flying prac—”

“—eam-building.”

The princess and the hologram looked at each other in confusion, as did the quintet of Earthlings and quartet of rodents.

“With all due respect, Father, enhancing the bond with the Lions is a top priority,” said Allura, her expression a little tight.

“As is the bond with one another,” Alfor calmly replied. “It will carry them both on and off the battlefield.”

The paladins’ gazes bounced between the two as they spoke. Hunk took a long, loud sip of water, wondering if they should excuse themselves.

The tightness deepened. “I am a tad more concerned with ‘on’ right now. They need to learn how to form Voltron as soon as possible.”

“Which they cannot do if they are discordant as individuals.”

Quickly sliding between the two, Coran said, “Good points made by all. Perhaps, then, the day should consist of both exercises.”

After a moment of consideration, they again spoke in unison, the epitome of dignified stubbornness. “Very well.”

“Smashing. Now, which shall we do first, hmm?”

Lance launched out of his seat. “I wanna fly!”

“Maybe we should figure things out on the ground before trying to do it at two hundred miles an hour?” said Keith, his brow returned to its upright position.

“What, is that too fast for you, scaredy-pants?” Lance replied with a snide grin.

Something in the older boy’s expression darkened. “I’ve never been scared of flying. I’m talking about trust.”

“Oh, please. If anybody needs to earn trust in the air, it’s you, especially after all those stunts you pulled at the Garrison.”

“Stunts you tried to mimic.” Hunk’s cough wasn’t very convincing.

Paying him no mind, Keith shot back, “I knew I could pull them off.”

“Yeah, and how did that end up for you? Oh, that’s right, you got kicked out!”

His grip on his arms tightened a little. ‘That wasn’t why.’

Shiro was about to intervene when Hunk said, “Yeah, can we do just a normal exercise on the ground, please? I’d like to not get motion sick for the sixth day in a row.”

“I want time in Green, though,” said Pidge, her hand shooting up.

“Literally, why?!”

“To get a look at her systems, duh.”

Shiro felt a headache coming on. “Guys, stop—”

“It’s settled!” Lance blurted. “We’re flying!”

“No, it’s not!” said Keith.

Pidge stood on her chair. “Sky!”

Hunk cried, “Please! Ground!”

“Enough!” All heads turned to Shiro, startled. He fixed the four with a heavy glare, his fists balled on the table. They returned to their seats, sheepish but still clearly unhappy.

Keith ducked his head slightly, shame curling in his gut, and said, “Sorry, Shiro.”

His brother’s expression softened. He took a breath and unclenched his hands, reminding himself these were just kids. “Apology accepted.”

Allura turned to her father, gesturing to the Earthlings, her face etched with silent words: Really? These ones?

Briefly lifting an assuaging hand, Alfor asked, “Shiro, you are the Black Paladin. What say you?”

The man squirmed a little at the reminder, then thought for a moment.

“Well, flying’s probably what we’re going to be doing the most of,” he replied at length, “and since not all of us are pilots, it might be a good idea to focus on that first.”

“Hah!” Lance cheered, pointing at an unimpressed Keith.

“And while you all do that, I can ensure the training deck is fully prepared and running smoothly,” Coran added.

Hunk’s eyebrows furrowed. “Wait, we have a training deck?”

“Several, actually.”

In a somewhat smug manner, Allura straightened and said, “Now that that is settled, all of you, get to your Lions.”

Together, the five stood and made for the door, though not before Keith shot a small glower at the princess’s back, she and her fellow Alteans leading the way. It was actually pretty impressive how she could walk so well with that massive royal chip on her shoulder.

‘Everything she did yesterday and she’s still barking orders like she’s got any clue what she’s doing.’

Regardless, with a small bump on his arm from Shiro, he fell into step behind his teammates.

The castle bridge was still an impressive sight, even after seeing it several times over the last four days. The floor-to-ceiling screens along the curved walls displayed the idyllic Arusian plains stretching out to the distant hills and mountains, all warmed by the clear morning sun, a pleasant contrast to the cool glow of the neon blue lights decorating the room. Four inset pillars sat between each screen, acting like ribs for the domed ceiling, merging in its center. Sequestered in its chamber above, the Balmeran crystal seemed to hum warmly in greeting. The birthstones around everyone’s necks hummed in reply. A platform, shaped like a rounded arrowhead, rose nearly three feet above the floor, taking up most of the space. Its backend was odd, though; it branched out in four strips, the whole shape gilded by a thick outline of darker, blue-colored metal.

“So, we’re not heading to the hangars, why?” asked Pidge.

“You are,” said Allura. “The proper way.”

She strode up the short staircase onto the platform like it was her personal stage and took her usual place on the dais. She activated a holo-screen and tapped a few buttons. At the tips of each strip and of the arrowhead, neon outlines appeared. A second later, a grid pattern swept over the designated sections and the floor there blinked out of existence. No sooner had these spaces become vacant than they were filled again by large, plush armchairs that rose on unseen elevator tracks, marked by colored lights. Counter-clockwise, they ran blue, red, purple, green, and yellow. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who went where.

“These are your command chairs, and the fastest route to the Lions,” said Allura with no shortage of pride, though it seemed to be directed more toward her own voice than the devices themselves. “The Paladins of old used them countless times to leap into battle and defend this castle from any who dared lay siege to it. They are symbols of your station and your duty, positions of honor and prestige that surpass the rigors of time—”

Lance suddenly let out something between a cough and a gag. He’d plopped into his chair, and was now bathed in a grey cloud, the particles invading his lungs and making his eyes water.

“Why are they so dusty?” asked Pidge, drawing a finger over the metal shell of hers, leaving a distinct line behind.

Then Hunk shrieked and pointed. “There’s a dead rat!”

Sure enough, there it was, shriveled and petrified on its back. The others cringed and leaned away. The mice screamed; Chulatt fainted, her soul nearly leaving her.

“Oh, well, yes, that can happen,” said Coran with a forced, breathy laugh, rushing over. “Repairing, you know, is not exactly cleaning.”

He picked the poor rat up by its crooked tail like the world’s saddest hunting trophy. His eyes darted around, searching. A moment later, he pulled back his glove with his teeth and scanned it into the energy storage device on his wrist, then set about wiping down the chair with a handkerchief, brushing off the few droppings the rat had managed to leave behind before its untimely demise.

Once he was done, he patted the seat. “All better.”

Hunk looked beyond disturbed. “Can I trade seats?”

Across the way, Keith cautiously kicked his chair, as if expecting some other unfortunate creature to tumble out.

“Wait, what did you just scan it into?” asked Pidge, curiosity chasing away disgust.

“Oh! My gendopic,” Coran replied. He pulled his wide-brimmed glove down again, showing off the familiar device that, somehow, was snugly wrapped around his arm like a bracelet. “Did you not know they have a wristwatch form?”

“No,” the Earthlings chorused.

“Dude, tell us these things!” said Lance.

Allura couldn’t take it anymore and snapped, “Would you lot please get to your Lions already!?”

With matching tired, scrunched expressions, Alfor and Shiro had the same thought: ‘Ah. This is going to be one of those days.’

Nonetheless, the Paladins took their places in front of their chairs, Hunk standing as far from his as possible. The outlines reappeared about them, and the hidden elevators began their descent. A ring of energy, projected from the neons on the chairs, washed over their occupants’ bodies. In a grid-patterned flash, they scanned and swapped their civvies for their armor. The five marveled at it, Pidge especially.

Soon, they reached the bottom and the doors opened, revealing…zip lines? Yes, zip lines in long, steep corridors with color-coded lighting. Confused but shrugging it off, they jumped, grabbed onto the handlebars, and sped along the tracks. They expected to hop off on even ground, perhaps in the hangars, and were thus blindsided again at the rapidly approaching walls. Several feet out from splatting against them, however, (and before Hunk could properly panic) hatches opened into round shoots. There was just enough time to swing off the zip lines and slip inside. Now, surely, they would reach the Lions, right? They’d get to do superhero landings and everything, Lance thought. As it turned out, no. Instead, the five dropped into hover-speeders, their designs echoing the Lion they belonged to, which was cool, but did nothing to explain why they were going down yet another long corridor. Just when Pidge was about to voice a complaint, at last, they spotted the end of the tunnel. Okay, now they’d arrived and could get on with—Nope. No, the speeders were just on another, bigger elevator now, this time going up. And up and up.

“How long is this going to take?!” Lance bellowed to no one in particular, throwing his hands up and flopping over the side of his speeder. A few seconds later, the five arrived in the hangar bays. “Oh.”

He could hear Blue chuckling at him as the Lions opened their chest compartments and the speeders levitated inside. Once they were parked, the Paladins got out and made their way to the cockpits. Even that felt ridiculously arduous after such a convoluted journey.

“Seriously, why did they not park these things closer to the bridge?” asked Hunk, giving voice to everyone’s immense tedium.

It technically made sense: most of the Lions lived in the outer tips of the castle, so reaching them from the center was a bit of a tall order to begin with, let alone efficiently. But then, why design the castle like that? And what was Black’s excuse? His hangar was above the bridge!

“No point complaining about it, Hunk,” said Shiro with a sigh. “Let’s just get going.”

The tips of the castle’s five points opened, freeing their occupants to soar high above the Arusian grasslands. Flocks of birds veered out of their way, squawking in alarm, and deer-esque critters scattered at the roar of their engines.

A few other creatures stopped to stare up at the mechanical marvels; not all of them were animals.

“Where exactly are we headed?” asked Keith, noticing that the marker on his screen didn’t provide any information.

“A more desert-like part of the plains,” Alfor replied, his image on the screen more of an icon than a video. “There, you will become better acquainted with your Lions’ weapons and physical capabilities.”

Just then, a quiet rumble ran over Red’s bond at the sight of Alfor. Keith’s eyebrows furrowed. Why was he grieving? Unless… Understanding filled him, and he sent a wave of apology to his Lion, who purred back solemnly.

If the Altean noticed, he gave no indication. “As you have discovered, each of the Lions possess unique and powerful abilities. This exercise will familiarize you with all of their strengths, limits, and how to use them against similar or opposing powers.”

“No offense, Mr. King, but I think we’ve got a handle on it,” said Lance with a laid-back smirk as they landed in a wide, mostly-barren outcrop. “Pidge can turn invisible, Hunk’s got super shields, Mullet has that lame fire laser — which is basically just a normal laser — and I’ve got my wicked ice beam. What’s there to know?”

“Confident, are you?” Allura’s face was tight again, this time with a disapproving frown. “Very well then, prove it. Whichever of you can best two of your teammates shall be crowned the victor of this bout.”

Her father glanced at her questioningly but said nothing. A little friendly competition could be good for them, he supposed.

Lance’s smile swiftly turned devious, his gaze drifting to Red. “‘Victor’, huh?”

“Uh, I don’t really feel comfortable with that. Pidge, back me up on thi—” Hunk turned to find a distinct lack of Green next to him.

Before he could even begin to wonder where she’d gone, Blue fired her glacier beam. Red crouched; it passed over him, heading for Yellow instead. His pilot shrieked, and he dropped, too, covering his head with his paws and activating his shield, which now sported frosty spikes. Blue and Red growled at each other, then lunged and started wrestling across the plains, their elemental weapons firing at random. Pretty soon, the land was a minefield of small glaciers and lava pits. Shiro wanted to step in, but their chaos forced him to keep his distance. Thankfully, it didn’t last too long; with a final tangled roll, Red jumped and pinned Blue with a paw on the back of her neck.

In the command room, Alfor couldn’t help chuckling at their antics. Allura, on the other hand, deepened her scowl.

“Hey, no fair! Red’s got super speed!” said Lance, trying to wriggle to his feet.

Despite their size difference, the smaller Lion held firm. “Maybe you should’ve thought of that before picking the fight.”

With a frustrated grunt, Lance called, “Hunk, a little help here?”

“I think I’m good where I am,” his friend replied. Both the land and barrier around him were patchworks of fire and ice.

“Alright, Keith, that’s enough. Let him go,” said Shiro, Black shaking off a bit of stray frost as he neared the pair, then cast a look around. “Pidge, it’s time to come out. You can poke around Green’s systems later.”

Hearing his “teacher voice,” she reluctantly obeyed, her Lion popping back into existence while Red hopped off his captive, who stood with a grumble. Once Yellow unsteadily cleared the surrounding hazards, the four gathered around Black in a semi-circle.

“Okay, you’ve all had your fun, but now it’s time to get serious about this.”

“I should say!” Allura’s voice pierced the comm, making many of them wince. Her elven ears were pinned back, sharp like spears. “Do you think this is a playdate? Stop acting like children and get to work!”

“Hey, the dumb-dumbs had their bout. What more do you want?” said Pidge.

“I want you to form Voltron!” she snapped. “But if you need some extra motivation, fine by me!”

“Um, Allura?” Alfor’s eyes widened at the sight of her accessing the defense systems. “Allura—!”

At her command, rows of ports blinked to life along the castle’s sides. The cannons primed with high-pitched whirs and fired on the Lions. The Earthlings cried out in panic and scrambled out of the way like a flock of headless chickens. Unbeknownst to them, they weren’t the only ones. Tiny feet rushed behind cover, their owner cautiously peeking out with large eyes.

“Allura, what are you doing!?” cried Keith.

With a honeyed smile, she replied, “Running a diagnostic, and giving you the incentive you apparently need. Or is this too intense for the fastest Lion on the team?”

He growled. ‘Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be?’

“Forget this!” Lance veered around and darted back to the castle. He managed to get pretty close, only for the particle barrier to come down. Blue ricocheted off and went careening straight into the ground.

Even with his heavy shielding, Hunk still raced around manically, wailing, “Please! Have mercy!”

“Do you think Zarkon will grant you mercy?” said Allura gravely. “His forces are likely on their way here right now to destroy us all.”

She accessed the power controls and began increasing the cannons’ output when the screen vanished, taking the particle barrier and lasers with it. Lions and Paladins alike stopped and slumped with sighs of relief.

“That was not the point of the exercise,” said Alfor, his face severe. “Fear is no proper guide.”

Turning to him indignantly, Allura replied, “They have faced far worse in the past few quintants. To form Voltron, they must learn how to act as a unit.”

“Then perhaps we should use a training method that does not put them in mortal peril and scatter them.”

She glanced away, thinking it over. After a few tics, she straightened her posture into something more respectful. “Very well. I believe I know just the drill. Paladins” — The five tensed slightly — “we will now try a different exercise. Head to the second-lowest layer of the atmosphere.”

Though reluctant, Shiro took a breath and said, “You heard the lady.”

He took to the sky, the others close behind. They settled into formation at the appointed altitude, a rocky canyon in a dusty desert stretching out below them.

Allura continued, “In order to form Voltron, each of you must have a strong bond with your Lion.”

“No problem,” said Lance. “Me and Blue are best buds for life, for real.”

A skeptical yet amused brow rose on her face. “Perfect. Then you should have no trouble with this. Everyone, angle your Lions into a nosedive.”

They did so, much to Alfor’s concern. “Allura, this is an expert-level drill. It should only be attempted once one has been flying for years!”

“Wait, what?” said Hunk.

“Well, we do not have years,” she replied tersely. Before anyone could levy any more objections, she pressed a holo-button. “Activating training helmets.”

All the Paladins’ visors went pitch black, blindfolding them.

Panic shot through them, Lance letting out a short scream. “What’s happening!? I can’t see!”

“This exercise forces you to see through your Lions’ eyes,” Alfor hurriedly explained. “The goal is to pull up right before you hit the ground. Just breathe. See what your Lion sees, feel what they feel.”

Several long seconds passed; hands tightened around control columns.

“Mine feels scared!” Hunk suddenly yanked back on the columns and slammed one of the pedals, breaking away from the group. He wast nowhere near the ground.

Meanwhile, Blue and Red were neck-and-neck.

“You still going, Keith?” asked Lance.

“Yup,” he replied. “You?”

“Going? I’m speedin’ up.”

“Good luck with that.”

Lance growled a little. Then he grinned. “Still scared, huh?”

Keith fought back the memories flashing through the blackness, his jaw clenching at the fleeting voices in his ears. “I’m not—”

“Nah, it’s okay, I get it. No shame in being a coward.”

A figure loomed over him. Tiny whimpers echoed behind. “You wanna protect them? Don’t make me laugh. You’re nothing but a little coward!”

His own voice, desperate, pained, and too small. “No!”

Something inside him snapped. Red’s energy flared back. For an instant, something flickered through his mind; an impression of something beyond his own sight. He knew where Blue was.

A screech leapt from Lance’s throat as Keith tackled him with a battle cry. Engines on full, he shot both of them through the clouds. Hundreds of feet passed in a blink.

In the castle, Alfor reached for the video feed as if he could stop them. Allura merely rolled her eyes.

“What the heck are you doing?!” Lance cried.

“You wanted fast,” said Keith almost savagely. “Here’s fast!”

Not a moment later, the Lions slammed into a large patch of loose dirt dunes, burying their upper halves. Their rumps stuck into the air like a pair of foxes whose winter hunt had gone incredibly awry.

Lance let out a wobbly exclamation as Blue tipped over and rolled down the mound, though he still managed to blearily declare, “I win.”

Keith quietly groaned, not bothering to reply. ‘That was so dumb…’

The sound of their failure echoed all the way back to their remaining teammates.

“What was that noise? Did they crash?” Pidge’s mind raced with scenarios, each worse than the last, and she pulled up. Unfortunately, she did so just when she reached the lip of the canyon. She nicked a low corner, sending her spinning with a yelp.

Allura scoffed. “Some Paladins. One would think the Lions would choose those who actually knew what they were doing.”

Gaze narrowed, Alfor watched her demeaning expression silently criticize their every move. While he technically agreed with her, as he turned back to the Black Lion plunging into the ravine below, he couldn’t help but hope.

“Come on,” he muttered. “Breathe. You can do this.”

Within his Lion, Shiro closed his eyes and steadied his heartbeat. He centered himself on the odd yet comforting presence that had come to reside in the back of his mind, tugging on it like a string. Black reached back with an approving purr, the thin string becoming a sturdy cord of light. Two life forces blended seamlessly. It sent an elated shiver through Shiro as the Lion’s senses filled his own just enough to show him the world they were flying toward. The second before he reached the canyon floor, he drew Black’s head up and activated his wing thrusters — a trick he’d picked up from his brother. Diverting the momentum from the fall, he sped forward, slightly shaky but keeping calm, weaving around and under towering rock formations and arches.

“I think I’m getting the hang of this,” he said, rising above the canyon and leveling out.

Though he couldn’t breathe anymore, Alfor still let out a sigh of relief. “Exemplary work, Shiro.”

Next to him, Allura was fairly agape at the Human’s success. Her face then soured, and she huffed, “It was beginner’s luck.”

“Perhaps,” said her father, “but he did succeed. Is that not what you wanted?”

Her fingers dug into her arms. A plastic smile appeared on her face. “Well, of course I want that. Why should I not? There is nothing I want more. But one out of five is not enough. We must push them harder.”

“We cannot force things to fruition. Destiny is not something any of us can control.”

A part of her recognized the wisdom in his words; another reminded her that fate hadn’t been so kind as of late. She nearly had a retort on her lips when the whoosh of a door and a pointed cough interrupted her.

“Apologies for cutting in, Your Highness and Majesty, but I thought you would like to know that the training deck is fully prepped and running smoothly,” said Coran, his usually chipper tone diluted a bit by his ever-so-slightly raised eyebrow.

“Wonderful,” Allura replied, perking up and opening a channel to the Lions. “Attention, Paladins: return to the castle. Your next exercise is waiting.” She cut the comm just as a collective groan arose from the Earthlings, glancing at her father on her way out the door. “We may not be able to control destiny, but we can influence it.”

Alfor watched her go, a shred of trepidation sprouting within him. “I fear it is not so simple.”

Turning from princess to king with a pensive twist of his mustache, Coran tilted his head toward her questioningly. Should he have a talk with her?

His friend held up a hand and shook his head wearily. She was his daughter. He would handle it.

Although Coran appeared uncertain, he nodded dutifully and headed off to his next task. Alfor lingered in the control room for a dobosh longer to deactivate the training helmets, then dematerialized and made his way through the castle’s conduits to the training deck.

“Come on, guys,” Shiro called, the fatigue clear in voice even after his success. “We’d better get going.”

“Easy for him to say,” Pidge mumbled from where Green had tumbled to a stop, splayed out on her belly like a fur rug.

Not having the strength to protest, the four met up at his location and headed back.

Down on the ground, in the shadows of the bushes, a small figure observed them. Swallowing down his fear, he followed.

———————————

Light and shadow passed over Haggar’s robed form, the gold trim glinting eerily as she strode through dark halls, four Druids attending her. More sentries than would normally be required guarded the path, ending in a small cluster barring the way to a lone door. It took only the witch’s presence to prompt two of them to scan their hands and open it.

The heavy metal parted slowly. Dim light cascaded into the cell. A large form sat hunched on the floor, entirely still.

In the blink of an eye, the figure lunged forward with a savage growl. The sentries and Druids moved to defend their Mistress, but she herself didn’t so much as flinch. The hefty restraints around the prisoner’s ankles, wrists, and neck pulled taught, preventing him from advancing beyond the center of his cell. It was undoubtedly infuriating, having his prey so close and yet just out of reach. Bloodlust raged in his blazing topaz eyes, flaring with his snarl. Perfect.

Stepping forward with a wave of her hand to signal her guards stand down, Haggar said in a slithering voice, “I have the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. How would you like a chance of revenge against your old rival?”

The gladiator stopped struggling, his gaze narrowing as he gave an intrigued rumble. He only needed to think it over for a tic, then leaned forward, allowing his dented, leathery, bald head to become visible. Scarred lips parted in a cruel grin, light glinting off sharp, jagged teeth.

Haggar returned it.

———————————

Resembling a football field in both shape and size, the main training deck offered plenty of space for the hundreds of programs it boasted. Thanks to Coran, every system now thrummed heartily after centuries of neglect. It also smelled heavily of cleaning agents. Unfortunately, the Paladins were in no mood to admire it. They shuffled inside, some a tad worse for wear as they rubbed various sores, and found the Alteans waiting for them.

“None of that now,” said Allura with a pair of sharp claps, startling them to attention. “It is time you faced a proper opponent. Our android guardsmen once made up the bulk of Altea’s military, and now they shall be your teachers in the art of combat.”

“The military that got beaten by the Galra?” Whether Keith was being snide or not was anyone’s guess.

Either way, the princess was unamused. “The last military in our entire alliance to be defeated, as a matter of fact. Altea stood against the warmongering Galra far longer than anyone else, so make no mistake, our androids are fully capable of defeating a few amateurs.”

‘You mean the amateurs who’ve been doing the heavy lifting while you reaped the rewards?’ Keith’s mind growled. He refrained from saying it, though, also recalling how most of those victories had been won by the skin of their teeth. Combat training was far from the worst idea.

“Perhaps these will even the playing field,” said Coran, bringing Keith from his musings and gaining everyone’s attention. He pushed a familiar hovering container into their midst and opened the cover.

“Hoo-hoo, yeah,” Hunk cheered, “bayard time!” He paused when he saw the empty black slot and grew sheepish. “Sorry, Shiro.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he replied. “I mean, it’s not like I’m…unarmed.”

He grinned at Keith and Pidge as they groaned while Hunk stared at him in disbelief and Lance started cackling like a hyena. Even Coran joined in the laughter, Alfor chuckling and shaking his head next to him.

Allura fought with herself to not do the same. ‘Sweet Ancients, that sounds like one of Coran’s jokes.’

She cleared her throat and waved her hands, telekinetically handing the weapons to their new wielders. “No more fooling around, now. Let us see what we are working with.”

First up was Hunk, who examined the small device curiously, then yelped as it flashed yellow and nearly dragged him to the floor. With significant effort, he hauled up the bayard, now transformed into a two-handed heavy blaster, similar to a gatling gun, only a lot bigger, the barrel thick and rectangular. It was a bit unwieldy, but at least it was long-range. ‘No close-ups for me, thank you.’

“Heck yeah, blaster team!” said Lance, summoning his rifle and holding it up with a flamboyant twirl.

Pidge came next, and while the bayard seemed a hair too big for her at first, it shrank to the perfect size as it transformed. The overall design hadn’t changed much, but a glowing blade now protected the end, arching to a point. She gave it a few practice swings and smiled in satisfaction. ‘Finally, a lightweight weapon for the noodle-armed nerd.’

It seemed Lance was determined to comment on all his teammates’ weapons. He leaned over with a cheeky grin. “Aw, you got a cute little bayard.”

She side-eyed him and slammed the blade into his stomach. To her surprise — and everyone else’s — a bolt of electricity shot through him, eliciting a high-pitched scream before he collapsed.

She stared at her bayard for a moment, then smiled again and placed a hand on her hip, saying, “Yeah, it is pretty cute.”

Finally, there was Keith, his hand held out as the red bayard drew near. However, an inch before reaching his fingers, it stopped. He shot a look at Allura, wanting to call her out for the childish prank. Then he saw her face. Her eyebrows were scrunched together, ears curled down slightly and eyes locked on the device, a distinct longing in her gaze. ‘Oh. Right.’

Settling back, he waited. After a small breath, she slipped the bayard into his grip. In a flash of crimson light it extended, reformatting itself into a broad sword. Its honed edges glinted pearly white; its center blazed red. It was both archaic and advanced, as if from two entirely different eras at once. The glow of the jewel in its hilt flared with light then, and the edges ignited in blue plasma, the heat sending tiny ripples through the air. Strangely, his left gauntlet also flashed, and his shield activated automatically.

“Seriously?” said Lance as he pulled himself from the floor. “A sword? How’s that supposed to do anything against blaster-wielding bots?”

“Ask the bots I’ve already taken out with one,” Keith replied, much to his teammate’s chagrin.

“It suits you,” said Alfor, inspecting the unique design. His gaze strayed to the young man. There was something hiding behind it. “If you wish, I could tutor you in swordsmanship.”

Keith blinked. “I’d be honored. Thank you.”

Allura cast a rueful glance between them, her fist tightening.

“Perhaps another time,” she blurted, just a little too noticeably. “Now, take your positions.”

Her snappish tone set an uneasiness in the Earthlings’ guts. They spread themselves into a wide circle, their backs to each other in a protective formation.

Once the Alteans were settled at the edge of the room, Alfor called, “Remember, in order to defeat your enemy, five Paladins must fight with one mind.”

“Begin training level one,” said Allura to the computer.

By her feet, the mice produced pom-poms (Heaven only knew where they’d gotten them) and began a cheerleading routine.

An acknowledging ping rang through the air and a hatch opened on the ceiling. From it dropped a sleek, white robot with dark blue and gold trim. It landed within their circle, its single eye flashing as it set its sights on its first target: Hunk. He panicked, firing his cannon wildly, struggling to swing it around. Nimbly as a gazelle, the bot leapt over the lasers, forcing Keith to throw up his shield and block Hunk’s stray shots. In one swift move, the android swept out Hunk’s legs with its staff and brought the electrified tip down on his stomach. It wasn’t a fatal shock, but it had him acting like he was dead nonetheless.

“Hey, nobody knocks out my best friend!” said Lance, charging in and letting off a barrage of lasers, Pidge at his heels.

“No, wait!” Shiro cried. It was too late.

The guardsman spun its staff, blocking the blasts and seamlessly maneuvering closer. Once the two were in range, it knocked the rifle from Lance’s hand, sending him stumbling back, and blocked Pidge’s strike. It then unleashed a flurry of blows, forcing her to haphazardly defend. It spun around, knocking Lance on the top of the head, turned back to smack Pidge a few more times, then bonked him again before jamming its staff into his gut and swinging him into his friend. Both went flying, bounced off of Hunk’s stomach, and finally collapsed to the ground.

On the sidelines, Alfor and Coran winced. The mice mirrored them, their cheerleader pyramid tumbling to pieces. Allura, meanwhile, regarded the three Humans with dismissive disappointment.

‘I certainly hope the other two are not so pathetic,’ she thought.

The android straightened with a mechanically perfect, almost-arrogant flourish of its weapon and turned to the remaining combatants, its lone optic glinting with artificial malice. The brothers shared a glance they’d exchanged dozens of times before and nodded.

As one, they shot forward, sword and arm at the ready; the bot rushed to meet them. Keith boosted faster, leaping and swinging for its head. It blocked him easily, and while it was distracted, Shiro slashed its side, sending it staggering away, though its guard wasn’t broken for long. It came back with a vengeance, forcing the Paladins on the defensive. After trading a few more blows, Shiro grabbed the staff, pulling the bot off-balance and opening a window for Keith to cut its knee. With a spark and a creak, the guardsman dropped, clutching the wound. Cementing his grip on the weapon with his left hand, Shiro cocked back his prosthetic and—

Wide, tearful eyes stared back, so confused and scared. Scared of him.

Every fiber of his being froze. He was locked, mid-attack, staring at someone who wasn’t there. The guardsman seized its opportunity to take back its staff and bring a powerful blow down on Shiro’s head. Keith was instantly between them, blocking the strike with his sword.

“Shiro,” he grunted, daring to glance back, “you okay?”

Unfortunately, that single break in concentration proved fatal. The bot slid its staff off his sword, swept out his legs, and while he was in the air, slammed him into his brother. They tumbled to a stop, but Keith was only down for a moment before he sprang to his feet and charged, his blade ready to take the thing down for good.

“End training sequence.”

The bot automatically straightened, its staff moving into a resting position and lights turning off just before a hole opened in the floor to swallow it. Keith barely managed to avoid falling in himself, stumbling to a sudden halt. He watched the pit close, then glared at Allura.

‘So that’s it?’ he thought while the others began picking themselves up. ‘One hit and you’re done?’

He shook his head a little, then made his way back to his brother and put away his bayard.

“Hey,” he said gently. “You alright?”

The man rubbed his head and took a breath. “I…I think so. I’ll live, at least.”

“No, you would not,” said Allura hotly. “Were this a real battle, you would all be dead. That combat setting was the lowest we have and you couldn’t even handle that.”

“You don’t have room to talk, Princess, seeing how you got your butt kicked by the minotaur yesterday.” Keith spat the title like a curse, taking several weighty strides toward her.

Closing the distance, she barked back, “As did you, Earthling.”

Lance appeared next to them and shoved his teammate’s shoulder. “You know, you’ve been a jerk to her ever since we got here, so why don’t you just lay off?”

“You don’t get to talk either,” snapped Keith, smacking away the accusing finger in his face. “You’re a long-range fighter. What the snart were you doing getting so close just now?”

“Oh, shut up, Mullet, you didn’t do any better than the rest of us.”

Their helmets knocked together, as if they thought getting in close would make their scowls more effective.

“At least I managed to land a hit, ‘sharpshooter.’”

“Is this what it’s going to be like every quintant with you two?” said Allura. “Honestly, this infantile bickering is getting on my nerves.”

“Uh, weren’t you just doing the same thing a few seconds ago?” Pidge piped up.

A faint pink color dusted the princess’s cheeks. “That was entirely different!”

“Really? How?”

“Oh, come on, Pidge, not you too.” Lance turned to Allura, his smile a bit more forced than usual. “While I can’t speak for Mr. Hothead here, you have my word that the rest of us will not argue from this day forward. Hunk can vouch for me on that.”

“Don’t drag me into your tom foolery,” he called flatly.

“Can I trust no one!?”

“That’s enough!”

The room fell silent. Shiro’s admonishing glare bored into the group. His arms were crossed and a scornful air rolled off of him. Keith tensed a bit, instinctively standing at attention as he neared.

“He started it,” Lance mumbled, pointing like a little kid.

“I don’t care who started it. This is the time to be working together, not biting each other’s heads off,” said Shiro firmly. His fellow Paladins hung their heads in shame.

“Exactly,” said Allura. “So stop this foolishness and—”

“Princess, with all due respect, you’re being just as much of a problem as they are. Next time, I’d appreciate it if you diffused the situation instead of adding to it.” She recoiled at the reprimand like she’d been slapped, yet the authority in his voice kept her from rebuking it.

“Lance, Keith’s right. If a gun’s your primary weapon, you need to keep your distance.” For a second, he seemed torn between arguing or not, then gave a begrudging nod.

“Pidge, don’t rush in without a plan. You have a solid head on your shoulders. I know you can use it for more than just number-crunching.” She folded her hands behind her back sheepishly and nodded as well.

“Hunk—” The big guy blinked nervously. “…You basically got the short end of the stick the entire fight, so maybe just work on controlling your bayard.” He smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

“And, Keith: deep breaths.”

With a single nod and a resigned sigh, the young man forced himself to relax.

Looking over the five teenagers’ sullen expressions, Shiro ran a hand down his face and let out a tired breath. “It’s been a long day. How about we get some rest and try again tomorrow?”

Allura opened her mouth to dispute the matter, but her father spoke up first. “Agreed. However, before we retire, I would like to propose one last exercise. I believe it may alleviate some of this discord before it has the opportunity to fester.”

Shiro mulled it over, replying at length, “If you think it’ll help.”

Alfor gave a small, grateful bow and sent Coran to collect something while he directed the Paladins to sit in a circle with their helmets off. They found out why when Coran returned with a squat, metal cylinder and set it on the floor. He tapped a button on the top to dissolve its sides. Within, lining several shelves, were lopsided pentagonal patches, each a little over an inch long and bearing smooth, gemstone-like backs.

“These devices mimic the mind-meld you will experience when you form Voltron,” said Alfor as Coran went around and attached a pair to the Earthlings’ temples. “An essential technique you must learn is being able to focus on a single shared goal: five becoming one. This will require complete openness and trust. There can be no walls, no secrets between Paladins.”

‘No walls…’

Keith reached up and felt one of his patches, tentatively asking, “Will we be able to see each other’s memories?”

He glanced at Shiro, who seemed equally apprehensive.

“Only if you wish to share such things,” Alfor replied in reassuring tones. “Fear not. I am not expecting you to become flawlessly synchronized overnight. This is simply to acquaint you with this connection.” Though still hesitant, the two nodded and closed their eyes alongside the others. “Breathe slowly. Let all distractions fade away. Focus on each other. Allow your minds to come together.”

Around the circle, the pentagons lit up. All at once, Keith felt as if he were floating in space again, only his body was…missing. Four consciousnesses brushed against his own in a strange swirl of whispering thoughts and flickering emotions. He could sense Pidge’s fascination; Hunk’s cautious intrigue; Shiro’s unease. It was a bizarre sensation to say the least, and it became downright unnerving when he felt a distinct prodding at his psyche. He tried to brush it off, even shook his head in an attempt to clear it, but the poking continued, and thanks to the link, he knew exactly who the culprit was.

“Knock it off, Lance,” he said through a tight jaw.

“Hey, I thought we were being open,” Lance replied, sounding not at all sorry.

“That doesn’t give you permission to rub around in my head.”

“Both of you knock it off.” It didn’t take a psychic connection to hear the strain in Shiro’s voice. This entire experience was making him more anxious by the second. Sending a wave of apology his way, Keith resettled and breathed deep; in through the nose, out through the mouth.

“Picture your Lions,” said Alfor.

A distant scoff reached Keith’s ears — undoubtedly Allura’s as she observed from her seat on the sidelines with the mice. He ignored her.

Images emerged from each corner of the meld, appearing in the form of holograms in front of the five psyches, though they didn’t look right at all. One was of a large, smiling family; the one next to it, a pair of siblings hugging in front of a launch pad; one was sushi; and one, a lone shack in a vast desert. There was a fifth, one of a rocket ship ready for takeoff, but it was flickering, almost as though something was trying to overtake it.

It was Shiro’s turn to shake his head. He shunted the shadowed image away and converted his picture into the Black Lion. The others slowly followed suit. Bit by bit, the holograms were pushed together, their forms shifting by some foreign instinct as they neared one another. Excited whispers began flowing from the three younger teens and tickled Keith’s mind. His eyebrow twitched slightly.

Alfor’s words drifted to the Earthlings like an echo. “Good. Now, Blue and Yellow form the legs, Green and Red form the arms, and Black forms the—”

A roar like a thousand rabid beasts pounding against his ears; slaughter awaiting them just beyond the gate in the form of a hulking monster.

A jolt of fear, the slash of a blade, and those terrified, tear-filled eyes — Matt’s eyes — as he clutched his bleeding leg and stared up at the man who’d done it; the man who was supposed to be his best friend.

Shiro tore off the headpieces with a shout, one that sounded far too much like the bloodthirsty cry now resounding through the other Paladins’ heads.

Keith rushed to his brother’s side, gripping his shoulders. “Shiro? Shiro, are you alright?”

Shallow breathing was his only reply. Harsh footsteps filled the air.

“You…attacked Matt!?” Pidge bellowed, her expression twisted in fury and betrayal. “Why!?”

“I-I don’t—” Shiro could only stand to look at her for a moment, then stared at the shattered remnants of the mind-meld devices slipping from his shaking hands. “This can’t be… I would never—I—”

“No way,” Lance breathed, his horror-stricken face mirrored by the others as they removed their devices. Even the Alteans had troubled looks.

Tightening his fist with a growl, Keith stood and said, “No, I don’t believe it.”

“We literally just saw—”

“That was a fragmented glimpse at best,” he snapped, cutting Pidge off. “There’s gotta be more to the story. Shiro would never hurt his friend and you know it.” Hesitant glances passed around the room. His heart sank a little more with each one. “Come on, you know.”

‘There’s no way. He couldn’t—he wouldn’t…right?’

Not even Shiro himself seemed convinced.

Keith’s mind wandered down a dangerous path, memories of his own past filling the gaps in Shiro’s. Just when a part of him began considering the possibility, an alarm sliced through the heavy air, startling everyone to their feet.

“W-W-What’s that?!” said Hunk.

“Proximity sensor,” Alfor replied, waving his hand to silence the noise and bring up a holo-screen big enough for them all to see.

On the patch of land just outside the castle’s main entrance, a tiny figure darted behind a small boulder. The camera zoomed in on the two-toned orange humanoid as he peeked over the rock, his large eyes darting around.

“What is that thing?” asked Pidge, squinting.

“It must be a local Arusian,” said Alfor.

The little alien darted to another rock. He checked his surroundings again, then raced to a third with what might’ve been a battle cry, considering he was waving some form of tiny sword in his hands like a maniac, but his shouts were warbling and panicked at best. From behind the fourth stone, his head poked out very slowly, staring directly into the feed.

The eight blinked in confusion before an “Aawww” sounded from Hunk.

“Doesn’t look too dangerous,” said Lance.

“You never know.” Keith brought out his bayard.

“No,” said Allura sharply. “Alteans believe in peace first. We should go welcome him.”

Her tone suggested seriousness, but the slight bobbing of her ears indicated an excitement similar to Hunk’s.

‘She just wants to see something cute,’ Keith mentally sighed.

“An excellent idea,” said Alfor, turning to the group with a clap. “Making diplomatic relations is also a part of being a Paladin, and…some fresh air will do you good.” His gaze honed in on Shiro for a moment. “Unfortunately, as I am bound to the castle, I cannot go with you, but—”

“Oh, do not worry about us, Father, we can handle it,” called Allura hurriedly, already halfway through the door.

Hunk took off after her. “He’s adorable!”

“Heh, maybe we can knit him a little sweater,” said Lance, following at his heels.

Pidge glanced hard at Shiro. “Whatever.”

She stomped behind the others, disappearing down the hall and leaving him weakly reaching for her. His head and hand drooped. A touch on his shoulder drew his gaze to Keith, who wore a solemn, sad, yet determined expression. It wasn’t much, but it did help to ease some of the tension in his gut. Sullenly, the two headed out, leaving the Altean men alone.

“Well, I should get back to the repairs,” said Coran, stretching and activating the mind-meld devices’ return program with his gendopic. Once they’d hovered back into their container (except for the broken ones, which he’d need to send a cleaning bot to deal with), he cast a look at his holographic friend. “Care to join me? I could use your help rooting out some of the trickier errors.”

Alfor smiled tiredly and replied, “Of course.”

Together, they headed out, letting the training deck fall back into the darkness and silence that had claimed it three thousand years ago.

———————————

Heavy armor plating; a weapon of utter destruction; a towering figure looming over all, its shadow a promise of death.

Everything was ready.

With the Emperor watching from a high balcony, Haggar raised her hand, drawing a large pod from the floor. Inside of it, the gladiator squirmed and fidgeted, ever impatient. Had he known what was coming, he might not have been so keen, but it was far too late for second thoughts.

Black magic rippled around the witch’s form, sending shutters through the air and dark whispers brushing against her ears. It extended to the pod and wrapped around it like a web of brambles, seeping in through every crack. If the warrior within felt any fear, it was of no consequence. Haggar gathered the energy together, honing the connection, then thrust her hands forward. The prisoner screamed as his mind and soul — his very essence — were torn from his body, the pure quintessence forced to flow through tubes which wound across the floor and up to the mechanical behemoth in streams of sickly magenta, igniting lights all across its body. A deep, unnatural hum filled the room. No longer was the gladiator bound by flesh and bone.

“Arise, my creation,” Haggar called out, a twisted smile splitting her face. “My Robeast.”

Haunted, mismatched eyes came to life.

———————————

As the large entryway of the castle slid open, a startled squawk sounded, and the Arusian darted into a nearby bush. He peered between the leaves, his breaths coming short and quick, when he heard a voice.

“Greetings,” said Allura, leaning down with her hands on her knees. “We know you are there. No harm will come to you.”

Apparently, the little guy didn’t share the sentiment. He leapt from the foliage with a wild spin and brandished his sword fiercely.

“Awww,” Hunk cooed again.

The Arusian’s expression fell, clearly not expecting his show of strength to be perceived as cute — which was also cute. It wasn’t helped by his stature; he only came up to about one’s thighs, and his overall round, squishy appearance, reminiscent of a salamander, made it difficult to take him seriously in any capacity. The only potentially tough part about him was his cap of thick horns, an odd mixture of conch shell and ram.

Examining his unbalanced stance and too-tight grip on the sword’s hilt, it was obvious to Keith he had no idea what he was doing. Still, the cluelessness of a novice was dangerous on its own.

He stepped in front of Allura protectively and ordered, “Drop it.”

“No one takes Klaizap’s weapon,” the Arusian replied, lifting the crude blade again.

Keith raised an eyebrow. He was holding the blade as if it were a spear, ready to thrust it forward — and slit his hand in the process. ‘The heck is he doing?’

Allura rolled her eyes. “Stand down, will you,” she said, moving around him. He shot her a small glare, but if she wanted to put herself in danger, fine. “My apologies, kind sir. My companion can be…abrasive. I am Princess Allura of Altea, and this is my castle. Who might you be?”

While he remained suspicious, the alien lowered his sword. “I am Klaizap, bravest of our warriors. I come seeking answers as to why the great Lion gods have become angered with their followers.”

“Gods?” Shiro repeated.

“Hey, show a caveman a cellphone and he’ll think it’s magic.” Pidge shrugged, though she made a point of not looking at the alien as she said it.

“The ones the ancestors spoke of.” Klaizap gestured to a nearby boulder, hewn flat on one side.

Upon its face, a mural was carved: the five Lions soaring toward a tall figure with a feline head and long robes, an aura of power and protection radiating from it as it held its arms out. Arusians knelt on either side in prayer. The style, Keith noted, was similar to the cave glyphs marking the Lions’ hiding places.

“What makes you think they are angered?” asked Allura, though she suspected she knew the answer.

“Destruction is everywhere. In the past few suns, fire has rained from the heavens, and now the Great Ones fight amongst each other, decimating our land.” The five Earthlings glanced away guiltily. “This discord must be rectified before judgement is passed.”

“Yeah, o-kay, I think there’s been a bit of a misunderstanding here,” said Lance sheepishly.

Klaizap tilted his head in confusion.

Allura said, “Please, bravest warrior, take us to your village so that we may explain this matter to your leader and people directly.”

His eyes narrowed at the strangers. After a long moment of consideration, he replied, “Very well. It is just over Gazrel Hill. But know this: if any of you do harm to us in any way, I will not hesitate to cut you down.”

Several giggles needed to be suppressed.

“Whatever you say,” Shiro managed to get out.

Klaizap gave a single, serious nod and headed off toward the hill. They trekked a short distance through sparse brush and tall grass until they met up with a dirt road leading to the village. Appropriately small, simple houses were scattered about, surrounded by many plots of land where farmers paused in their tilling to stare at the strange beings entering their home. Hushed voices arose from the Arusians as they began forming a crowd behind the six outsiders and followed them into the town square. It was spacious enough to accommodate the oversized Humans and their entourage, which was growing by the second; more villagers swarming out of their homes, too curious for their own good to stop.

The largest and most ornate of the houses sat at the end of the square where what appeared to be a female Arusian poked her head in the front door and frantically whispered. She glanced over her shoulder and let out a squeak upon seeing the group, then scrambled off to the side next to a line of drums. A loud bustle sounded from within the building.

Allura turned to the group and whispered, “Alright, now since I am the only one with diplomatic training, your job is to stand there and smile and wave while I do the speaking. Understood?”

‘Like you don’t do that anyway,’ Keith thought, crossing his arms.

The door to the main house flew open. In unison, the villagers placed two fingers against their foreheads and bowed as a rather large, rotund Arusian stepped out. His attire was finer than the others’, though that wasn’t saying much, being still rather simple in hues of green and turquoise hemmed with dull gold, a plain headpiece adorning his brow.

“My King,” said Klaizap, raising his head to gesture at the newcomers, “these ones claim to know why the Great Ones bring their wrath upon us.”

“It is a true honor to meet you, Your Majesty,” said Allura with a bow.

She was scarcely able to finish her sentence before the king let out a frightened shriek, startling her. “The mark of the Lions!”

Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd, even from Klaizap, while the six glanced at each other in confusion. Then they noticed he was pointing to their breastplates.

“I think he’s talking about the V-shape,” Hunk whispered to Lance.

“Yeah, we got that.”

The king spread his arms and proclaimed, “O Arbiters of the mighty Lion gods, I, King of the Arusians, formally beg your forgiveness. Please have mercy on us and accept our traditional Dance of Apology as atonement for our wrongdoings.” He clapped twice, summoning the same female Arusian from before into their midst, where she took a poised stance with a rather serious look on her face. “Begin the Dance of Apology! Hoorah!”

A horn sounded as the crowd echoed the cheer. Drummers pounded to a steady rhythm, joined by flutes and shakers, and the dance began. It was simple, if a bit odd. At one point, the dancer shuffled sideways using only her finger-like toes, then began waving her body like kelp. The Humans watched in utter bemusement.

“Please, there is no need for this,” said Allura gently.

“Moontow, halt!” The king ordered, forcing the poor girl to freeze while balancing on one foot. “The arbiters have refused the apology. Light the sacrificial fire!” Instantly, a massive pyre ignited in a huge burst of flame some feet behind him. “We must throw ourselves in!”

“NO!” everyone cried.

“No sacrifices!”

“Nonononono!”

“Please do not!”

“That is so much worse!”

“Why do you even have that!?”

“So…we may proceed with the dance?” His smile was awfully large for someone who had one of his villagers tied to a board and teetering precariously next to the fire, though the villager himself appeared perfectly content with his fate.

“That’s a better alternative,” Shiro replied, the whole team sighing in relief.

Another pair of claps, and Moontow and the band resumed. Less than a minute later, the music ended, and with a graceful twirl, the young Arusian dipped into a deep bow, her forehead touching the ground. The rest of her village mirrored her, including their ruler.

‘Oh my. This is a first. But it is nothing I cannot handle.’

Allura cleared her throat. “Please—Please rise. Thank you for that, Your Majesty, but we are not great beings worthy of your worship. I am Princess Allura and these are the Voltron Paladins. Although we come from different worlds, and have very, very, very different traditions” — The Earthlings shared a flat look — “we wish to live alongside you as friends.”

More murmurs arose, and the Arusians stood, their king asking, “But the destruction we witnessed. Have the gods not returned to destroy us for our immoral ways?”

She let out a light chuckle. “No, not at all. That was merely a friendly bout.”

‘Friendly bout?’ Keith thought back to how she was the one who’d demanded they fight in the first place. ‘She certainly has a way of spinning things.’

“Rest assured, the Lions have not come to harm you, but to protect you,” she went on, addressing the crowd now. “Let it be known that Voltron will protect every innocent being throughout the universe!”

There was a beat of quiet. Then an exuberant cheer erupted from the villagers, and they surged forward to properly welcome their new friends. Hugs and laughter abounded, the little ones peppering them with questions and climbing atop them to see what it was like to be so tall (a new feeling for Pidge).

While Shiro repeatedly tossed a giggling child into the air and caught them, Keith slipped out of the crowd, carefully avoiding the Arusians. He was glad they’d smoothed things over, but being trapped by a hoard of people — especially ones he could accidentally step on — wasn’t exactly his idea of a good time. He couldn’t dodge them entirely, though; one leapt up and latched onto his waist.

“Uh…” Unsure of what else to do, he tentatively rubbed the Arusian’s head a little, like Shiro had done for him sometimes. “I don’t usually hug strangers, but, uh, wow. You are cuddly.”

“Thank you,” the Arusian replied in the deepest bedrock voice Keith had ever heard in his entire life.

‘The snart—?’

By some grace, the hug didn’t last too long. The Arusian hopped off when his king called, “Quickly, we must prepare a feast to honor this most wondrous day! Hoorah!”

Of course, Hunk was immediately asking about their food and the ingredients they used while the others continued playing. Keith smiled at the sight, an unfamiliar warmth filling his chest. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Klaizap slinking away from the village, a pinched look on his face. Curious, the Earthling followed. Allura noticed them, too.

‘If he is going to start a fight, so help me—’ Flashing a quick grin to the villagers as she held up her hands, she went after them.

In a small clearing by a cliff, Keith saw Klaizap swinging his sword at imaginary enemies, and nearly tipping over himself several times in the process. He hacked and slashed over and over, until a sheen of sweat coated his forehead. With a crazed shout, he turned and—

“You’re going to lose an arm.”

Klaizap’s war cry became a shriek, and he flailed backwards, landing on his butt. Seeing Keith standing over him and remembering their last encounter, he quickly righted himself. “Why are you here? Come to fight?”

Behind them, Allura peeked around a tree.

“No,” replied Keith.

“You just said I would lose an arm.”

‘He what!?’ She took a step toward them.

“Yeah, doing that.”

She stopped. Her confusion was reflected on Klaizap’s face as Keith continued. “You’re a novice, aren’t you?”

The Arusian blanched, then glared. “What of it? Klaizap is still bravest of our warriors!”

“And where are the rest of them?” asked Keith, noting the lack of training equipment and lone leftover lunch off in the corner.

For a moment, Klaizap tensed, shrinking in on himself a bit and darting his eyes around. His mouth opened and closed a few times; responses beginning to bubble up, only to fizzle away. Eventually, his shoulders slumped.

“In truth, I am our only warrior. For generations, we had no need for them. We have no enemies. But then came the fire in the sky, and we began to fear what else might come, so our king asked who would protect us.” He regarded the blade in his hand solemnly. “I was the only one who volunteered.”

Keith gave an understanding grunt. No wonder he had been so aggressive when they met; being tasked with protecting your people alone was no small feat.

“Guess that really does make you the bravest.”

Klaizap looked up in surprise.

“But you won’t get far swinging your weapon around like a maniac. Here.” Keith brought out his bayard, much to the alien’s wonder, and took a basic position. “The most important thing is your stance. Keep your feet just a bit wider than your shoulders and your knees slightly bent. Make sure your sword stays up and protecting your center. Don’t overextend your swings.”

He demonstrated, moving smoothly through the forms, and ending back in ready position. It was less awkward than he’d anticipated, given how he was converting certain elements to accommodate the blade’s unusual design.

Klaizap’s eyes sparkled in awe as he stored his bayard. Shaking himself from his stupor, the little warrior began mimicking Keith’s movements. They were far less graceful, but still much better than before. He held the final form and looked to his instructor, who examined him for a second, then knelt and adjusted his stance a little. Satisfied, Keith smiled and nodded.

A massive grin spread across Klaizap’s face, and he bowed. “Thank you, Red Arbiter.”

“Call me Keith.”

Allura watched the pair with intrigue. ‘Quite an odd one you are.’

“If I may ask, Sir Keith,” said Klaizap, “where did you learn swordcraft? Was it at your princess’s castle?”

“No,” he replied, a faint scowl tinging his expression. “I learned this stuff long before meeting ‘Her Highness.’”

She scowled at his inflection. ‘Why must you always turn things into an insult?’

Klaizap frowned as well. “You do not like her?”

“It’s not a matter of ‘like’, it’s just…” Keith trailed off, trying to find a decent way to put it. “People like her and me, we don’t mix. Never have.”

“Boys and girls?”

Allura barely managed to suppress a snicker while he stared blankly.

“Wh—No—I mean, maybe a little, but no, that’s not what I—” Keith ran a hand through his hair, a sigh slipping out of his nose. “She said it herself: we’re from very different worlds. People like her tend to look down on people like me.”

“We’re not your toy soldiers…”

She didn’t treat them that way…did she? Memories of the day replayed in her mind: every time she’d berated them for floundering when she’d given no instruction; scolded them for their bickering, and then turned around and done the same. A thread of the not-quite-guilt feeling from yesterday returned, coiling in her stomach.

‘I am only trying to do what is best for us. That’s all…’ Why did a part of her mind not believe her?

Klaizap mulled it over, then said, “Well, you look down on me, but we’re getting along.”

“That’s not the same—” Keith tried to say.

“You both fight together, do you not?”

“Well, yeah.” In more than one sense, actually.

“Then purpose should be more important than origin. Shouldn’t it?”

Keith paused. ‘It’s not that simple. …But it isn’t wrong either. Just wish I knew how to get along when she’s so…her. Guess that goes for all of us, though. United by purpose. I can work with that.’

With a small smile, he said, “You’re a pretty smart guy.” Klaizap grinned proudly. Then Keith raised his voice. “By the way, you’re not stealthy.”

Arusian and Altean alike gave a start as he stood and looked directly at the tree Allura was hiding behind.

‘How did—?! Think of something, quickly, quickly!’

“Ah, there you are,” she said, stepping out with her best, most innocent smile. “I was just coming to check on you. We wouldn’t want to miss the feast, now would we?”

Keith and Klaizap shared an unconvinced glance.

She chuckled nervously. ‘Quiznack!’

———————————

“Alright, give it a go.”

Alfor put his hand into the holo-screen and concentrated. The lights came online with a satisfying hum.

“And that is the recreational sector online.” Coran slid out of the crawl space, having to blink a few times so his eyes could adjust, the mice scampering out next to him. “Allura was right, you four are helpful.”

Chuchule blushed bashfully, Chulatt waved her paw like it was nothing, Plachu crossed his arms over his puffed-up chest, and Platt gave a dopey smile.

With a long groan, Coran stood and stretched, saying, “On to sector six out of twelve. At this rate, we should be done by sundown.”

“…What am I going to do? I fear this day has been little more than a string of failures.” Alfor’s quiet musing was accompanied by a weary sigh Coran was all-too familiar with.

“Well, the tutelage did leave something to be desired,” he replied, cleaning the grime from his hands with a spare handkerchief.

“You feel I should have let Allura handle the training.”

“Oh, absolutely not.” He turned his cloth to the clean side and vigorously rubbed his face against it with a loud blubbering noise until he was spotless, then handed it to the mice, who imitated him. “Talented as that girl is, she has far too little experience with such things. Her having to learn the hard way was quite amusing, though.”

Alfor gave him a surprised and perplexed look.

Coran smiled, slightly cheeky. “I fixed the security cameras. And from all I saw, I would not say today was a total loss. They have been set a challenge. I believe they will rise to it.”

Very slowly, Alfor nodded. He could recall many times when his own team had faced similar adversity. In fact, if he thought back, it had been those trials which had made them as close as they’d been.

“Sound advice, old friend,” he said.

“That is why they call me the advisor,” Coran replied, twirling his mustache. He leaned down to reclaim his handkerchief, only to be swatted away by Plachu’s tail as he and his fellow rodents clung to it like it was their childhood blanket. He placed his hands on his hips. “Oh, so it’s yours now, is it?”

Alfor didn’t get the chance to laugh. An alarm blared through the castle, startling the men to attention. They exchanged a glance, then took off toward the control room, the mice on their heels.

———————————

Lively music rang through Gazrel Village. Many of its residents were merrily dancing to it, along with Lance, who was currently dancing with several Arusians ladies at once, stacked atop one another like a totem pole to match his height. Shiro chuckled at his antics, tapping his foot to the beat. His gaze drifted to Hunk helping the cooks prepare the feast, then to Pidge sitting across from him, her arms crossed and expression hollow. The playfulness from earlier had quickly faded, leaving her back in her sour mood. It was creeping into his mind, too. He didn’t want to believe he’d hurt Matt, but even with all the gaps in his memory, he knew what he’d become in that place — what he’d been forced to do. His right fist clenched with an artificial whirr.

“Black Arbiter, why so glum?” asked the Arusian King, bringing Shiro from his thoughts. “Are you not enjoying yourself?”

“Yeah, come on, Cap,” said Lance, dancing over, his partners giggling with every dip and twirl. “Join the fun, live a little!”

Waving their concern away, he turned back to the king and replied, “Call me Shiro, please. And, no, I’m fine. Just…lost in the past, I guess.”

Lance grew a bit somber at the reminder while the king hummed and rubbed his chin. “How odd. The past is not something we Arusians usually think of.”

Shiro glanced at Pidge, who was looking at anything other than him despite being well within hearing range. “Not even when you’ve hurt someone?”

“Hurts come and go every sun,” said the small ruler after a moment. “Our lives are much too short to be consumed by what has been. Of far greater importance is what will be.”

Overhearing them, Hunk smiled warmly to himself. Pidge and Shiro turned toward each other just a bit, their expressions unreadable. Lance, too, seemed to have something on his mind.

“Of course, certain things should be remembered, like the time Moontow spilled prickleberry juice all over my curtains.”

The pink Arusian in question choked on a piece of meat she’d sneaked as the king’s glare fell on her. The Paladins chuckled at her sheepish smile.

“Well, speaking of what will be, dinner should be ready in a few minutes,” said Hunk.

“My man! In the meantime…” Lance leaned closer to Shiro with an impish grin. “What do you say, big man? Care to show us some of your moves? I’ve heard the stories.”

Shiro eyed him, halfheartedly suppressing a grin of his own.

“Alright, alright,” he said, standing and stretching his shoulders while Lance pumped both fists. “But just this once.”

“Ho-yeah, now we’re talkin’! Look out, everybody, it’s time for the—”

BOOOM!

The sound echoed off the mountains like a clap of thunder, shaking snow from the peaks and drawing all eyes to the sky. A gigantic ball of fire was streaking through the atmosphere.

Hunk’s voice trembled. “Please tell me that’s just a meteor.”

If recent experience wasn’t enough to tell them otherwise, the chilling growls their Lions sent over their bonds certainly did. The four Humans glanced wide-eyed at one another, checking to make sure they’d all felt the same thing. The Lions almost sounded rattled. Simultaneous beeps resounded from their gauntlets.

“Paladins, Princess, are you there?” called Coran.

“We’re here,” said Shiro, activating his holo-screen. “What’s going on?”

Alfor replied, “Something has dropped out of slip-space and is now hurtling toward the planet. We cannot say for certain what it is, but it is large and headed for your position. You must get to your Lions.”

“Understood,” said Shiro. Hurried footsteps drew the Paladins’ attention to Keith, Allura, and Klaizap as they ran into the square. “We’re heading to the castle.”

“I will remain here and protect the villagers,” said Allura. Shiro nodded, moving out. The Arusians began panicking at the rumbling of the ground, and would’ve turned into a chaotic mob had she not taken charge. “Everyone, find cover and stay down!”

“I’m on it!” Hunk replied, running past her with the crowd.

She paused, her brain having to do a double-take.

Keith caught him by the collar and dragged him the right way. “Not you.”

Once they were past the crowd, he shoved the big guy forward to get him running. A voice made him stop.

“I’m coming with you!” said Klaizap, holding his sword high. “We will fight the sky demon together!”

“No,” said Keith. “You need to protect your people.”

“Your princess already protects them.”

He knelt so they were at eye level. “Then your job is to protect her.”

Klaizap’s eyes widened, seemingly conflicted as he stared at the ground. After a moment, he tightened his fist and looked up with a firm nod. Keith returned it and stood, summoning his helmet directly onto his head. His friend paused to gawk at the wondrous technology, then hurried after his fellow villagers. Keith, in turn, used his booster pack to catch up with his team.

“Hey, what were you doing alone with Allura earlier?” asked Lance, moving a bit closer to fix him with a suspicious glare.

“Really?! That’s what you’re worried about?!” Pidge nearly shrieked.

“Stow it, cadets!” said Shiro as they crested the hill. “This is the time for running, not talking!”

“I don’t think it’s gonna matter!” Hunk’s shout mixed with a second BOOM; the object broke through the last layer of clouds.

“Move!”

They pushed their packs to their limits, but it hardly made a difference. The thing slammed into the ground with a massive explosion, sending a shockwave tearing through stone and air, dust and debris consuming the land. Instinct surging through him, Shiro grabbed them all and held them close. Shadows fell over the five.

———————————

“This is humiliating,” said Haxus, watching the dust cloud sprawl across the planet’s surface from the safety of their repaired cruiser. They’d arrived just after the weapon and ducked behind the pitiful planet’s moon, shrouding their presence from those meddlesome, aggravating, feeble-faced paladins. “We should be the ones down there instead of that thing.”

“Surely you of all people are not questioning orders.” Sendak’s growl made him flinch. “Whatever our Emperor asks of us, we shall do without hesitation, Colonel. Now stop your whining.”

A small growl of his own rumbled from Haxus’ throat. At least their lord had berated them in private and not in front of the whole bridge. But if that was his wish, there was nothing else to be done, and so he returned his attention to the screen, where a flash of color caught his eye.

———————————

At last, the world settled and the dust cleared, and the Paladins were surprised to find themselves not blown away. They uncoiled from each other, Keith deactivating his shield, and looked up in awe. It had not been the debris that had cast its shadow over them. It was the Lions. They stood above the five in a low, tight circle, protecting their Paladins even after the immediate danger had passed.

“Whoa,” said Lance.

“I didn’t realize they could move on their own,” Pidge breathed.

Their moment of wonder died, however, when Hunk spotted something between their legs. “Um, guys?”

The others followed his pointed finger to a gigantic metal object planted upright in the ground much too close for comfort. Like an oblong arrowhead with its sides cut out, the monolith’s sharp black-and-grey metal barely glinted in the bright afternoon sun, as if it was swallowing its rays instead of reflecting them. Scarlet neon stripes adorned it like claw marks.

Shiro transmitted his helmet’s visual feed to the castle. “Coran, what are looking at here?”

“That—” He cut himself off. “…is a coffin?”

“A coffin?” repeated Allura, accessing the video via her suit’s cuffs.

“The Galra are throwing dead bodies at us?!” Hunk cried. “Those guys are sick!”

HISSS

Air burst from the coffin. It came apart, its front, back, and sides falling away, revealing its cargo. Towering over the land was an enormous, heavy-set metal man. Some kind of antenna activated behind it, the only part of the coffin still standing.

“Yes on the ‘body’, no on the ‘dead,’” said Pidge, taking a step backward.

A horrible sense of recognition scratched at the back of Shiro’s mind. That silhouette…he’d seen it before. But where? His memories remained stubbornly jumbled, as if terrified of being made whole again.

Its eyes activated. The right one, bulbous and glowing a vile violet, began scanning around with its slitted pupil. Zooming in on the ground between the colorful cats, it spotted the little Earthlings, though in truth, it only locked onto one.

“Get in your Lions!” Shiro called, his voice distorted to the giant’s ear.

The five rushed to fulfill the order, but the Robeast refused to give them much time. It raised its spinning, cannon-like right arm. Energy flowed into it from a massive container on its back, pooling and creating a crackling ball of hardened electricity. The Paladins only just managed to reach their respective cockpits and activate their shields before it flung the orb at them like a ball-and-chain. The Lions leapt into the air, letting it collide with the dirt behind them. It didn’t stay there for long, though. With a flick of its arm, the mech sent the orb flying after Green, narrowly missing her and embedding it in a nearby rock formation.

“What is this thing?!” said Hunk as it pulled its weapon back and spun it around its head, then flung it at Blue.

“Don’t know, but it’s about to get served!” Lance powered up his laser and fired at it, landing a direct hit — which did nothing. “Oh no.”

He let out a pained cry as it smashed him into the ground, his particle barrier shattering like glass. With great, stomping strides, the robot charged at him, its weapon raised to strike. Black jumped onto its shoulder and bit down with all his might. It barely made a dent, and he was swiftly thrown off. Before it could attack again, blue lasers rained down on it.

“Keep it off-balance!” said Keith.

“On it,” Pidge replied

Red and Green’s mouth and tail cannons blasted the thing relentlessly, forcing it onto the defensive. While it was distracted, Yellow rushed in and slammed into its back, knocking it to its knees.

Pausing his attacks, Keith asked, “You guys okay down there?”

“Still alive,” Shiro replied, he and Lance joining the others’ aerial view, the latter grumpily mumbling about getting saved by “Mullet.”

“Okay, so Battle Lion Headbutting doesn’t really do much, got it,” said Hunk nervously.

“So, what’s the plan?” asked Lance. “Pelt it with everything we’ve got? Take out its weapon? Call it names?”

“I—” Shiro’s words died in his throat.

The scratching in his mind was becoming a pounding in his chest with every move the monster made. Phantom pains flared all over his body; his breaths were short and tight, as though he’d been running a marathon. ‘Who are you?’

The orb came barreling in again, scattering the Lions. It wove around, chasing after one, then another while they tried to hit it or its master, with little success.

“There is only one way you can defeat that monster,” said Allura. “You must form Voltron.”

“Maybe you don’t remember, but we don’t know how to do that yet!” Keith veered around the crackling ball and took a haphazard shot, skidding to a stop.

Hunk suddenly shoulder-checked him, shouting, “Combine!”

THUNK

Red tumbled a bit before righting himself. “Hey!”

Yellow hung his head. “Okay, that didn’t work.”

“Ha-ha!” Lance said behind them — and was promptly struck out of view by the orb. “Oof!”

“Allura is correct,” said Alfor. “Voltron is the only thing powerful enough to stop it. However, Red and Blue’s elemental blasts may be able to slow it down and buy you time.”

Green leapt out of the way of a punch. “Would our jawblades do any good?”

“Possibly.”

Shaking off the strangeness he was feeling, Shiro said, “Okay, you heard the man. Keith, Lance, do whatever damage you can. We’ll try to keep the orb off your backs.”

“Copy.”

“Ten-four, Cap. So long as Mullet doesn’t mess it up.”

Refusing to take the bait, Keith burst forward and primed his cannon. Not one to be outdone, so did Lance, both circling the creature while the others peppered it with lasers. Hunk activated his shield and blocked the orb; the enemy was wide open. The two got into position, aimed, and fired — too close to each other. They’d both aimed for its head. Ice and fire collided midair in an explosion that did little more than give it a tan.

“What do think you’re doing!?” screeched Lance, Blue roaring in kind.

“Me?!” Keith and Red bellowed.

“You just sabotaged me!”

“Why would I—”

“Orb!” Hunk cried, too slow to intercept.

It swept above the two Lions, forcing them to the ground. It by no means forced out the bickering, though.

“I had it,” Lance went on, “but nooo, you had to butt in to try and take the glory!”

“Why is that what you’re focused on?! We’re fighting a giant monster! Whatever problems you have with me, they can wait.”

Something in his expression shifted. “I’ve waited behind you long enough!”

Keith growled, every fiber in his body wanting to yell back. Taking a quick breath and psychically telling Red to calm down, he instead replied, “Neither of us were paying attention. If we want to stop this thing, coordinating our attacks is our only option.”

“Here’s an option: shut your quiznack!” Blue knocked her head against Red’s.

He pressed back, locking their foreheads. “I don’t think you’re using that word correctly.”

“What do you know, Mullet?”

“I know when someone’s being a—” His eyes widened. “Behind you!”

“Oh, yeah, real creative. Like that’s gonna—”

Red tackled Blue just out of the way, the orb streaking past. They tumbled to a stop, and Lance blinked up in surprise as Keith stood.

“When I say ‘move’, move.” He leaned down on the last word, making sure it sank in, then charged back into he fray.

Lance followed with a scoff. “Whatever, pajero.”

Within a small cave just beyond the village, the Arusians huddled together. Each tremor from the battle made them wail in fright and cling tighter, some muttering prayers. Allura did her best to keep them calm, but it was difficult when her own nerves were threatening to get the better of her. Every child’s tearful cry for their mother made her heart twist a little more.

“Legs at shoulders…knees bent…” The quiet reciting drew her attention to the cave’s mouth where Klaizap dutifully stood guard. “Keep your sword up…don’t overextend.”

“You do your people proud by keeping your skills ready,” she said, joining him, “but I doubt you will need to use them.”

“I hope that as well, but a warrior must always be prepared,” Klaizap replied, his chest puffing up slightly. “And I swore to Sir Keith I would keep you safe.”

She blinked. “You did?”

“He bade me to. You protect the village, so I protect you.”

An odd sense of comfort arose in Allura’s chest. Even after the day she’d put all of them through, he still made sure she would be safe. Her fist closed over her heart.

“This battle is beyond us,” she said solemnly. “If Voltron fails…there will be nothing we can do.”

Klaizap’s face fell, his sword drooping. After a moment of staring, eyes distant, he shook his head with all the firmness he could muster. “No, there must be something to be done!”

“We are not—”

“Something, anything! Even the tiniest thing that may help!”

Undersized and inexperienced, yet his eyes burned with a righteous flame, like a true warrior’s should. It made Allura question who was truly the small one between the two of them. Casting her gaze back toward the hills that separated them from the battlefield, she steeled herself. Even the tiniest thing…

Meanwhile, Hunk and Shiro were firing on opposing sides of the creature, keeping it off-balance while an invisible Green took her jawblade and slashed a line down the container on its back. A glowing purple liquid began seeping out: the first real bit of damage.

Shiro’s adrenaline spiked. Twisted elation; a warrior’s thrill…just like last time.

“Yes!” Pidge cheered, de-cloaking in her excitement. It seemed the universe loved to play tricks, however. Before their eyes, the liquid shone brighter, flowing against gravity over the wound and mending the metal. “Oh, come on!”

In her distraction, the monster called the orb back, let it hover over its podium-arm for a moment, then spun and sent it right at her. Yellow jumped in the way, the momentum of the hit sending him into Green nonetheless, and leaving both groaning on the ground.

“Geez, this thing hits hard,” said Hunk, shakily getting to his feet. “It’s wearing down my shield like it’s nothing!”

The mech charged again; Red flew in and melted the earth beneath it. It stumbled, sinking into the superheated stone, but not enough to stop it from sending the sphere after him. He hastily shot off, veering out of the way. Blue fired her ice beam at its back as it pulled itself from the lava, and received the same treatment, though wasn’t as fast as her fellow Lion and hit the ground hard.

“Shiro, we need a new plan,” said Keith as the orb returned to its owner.

No reply.

“Shiro, are you there? Shiro!”

In truth, the man wasn’t quite sure where he was. The bright plains of Arus kept fading into a dark pit — the same one that haunted his dreams. The way that monster was standing, its weapon raised high…

A terrible sphere of energy crackling and whirring as it returned to the tip of its club, readying to tear its victims apart.

“That sound…”

Pillars torn apart, destroying any semblance of cover with ease. The crowd chanted in his ears. His heart beat in time, and it made him sick, yet he couldn’t stop the rush of exhilaration.

“You…”

The massive gladiator raised his weapon and let out a roar that shook the dust from the arena floor, bloodlust dripping from every movement and sound. All feared him. All knew his name.

“Myzax.”

The monster turned and locked his rage-filled eyes on the Black Lion. His sphere returned to its club.

“Your zax?” Hunk repeated.

“His name,” said Shiro. “Myzax was a gladiator in Zarkon’s arena, ruthless and undefeated. It was my first fight. My first victory.”

“Is that why Sendak called you the ‘Champion?’” Pidge asked, her eyes narrowed.

Nightmarish images ravaged Keith’s mind, twisting his stomach. “They were forcing you to be a gladiator all this time? …How did you survive? How did you kill this guy?”

An edge crept into Shiro’s voice as he and the mech began circling each other. “I didn’t. I granted him mercy. And inadvertently humiliated him. He’s been trying to settle the score ever since.”

The whirring of the club increased. Myzax let out a low, distorted growl; Black returned it. They stopped circling. With a furious bellow, the monster attacked. Shiro had seen that move before. He nimbly dodged the sphere, racing around and sending a quick blast to the back of Myzax’s knee.

“Listen up,” he called. “Every third time that orb is thrown, it needs to recharge. That’s his weakest point. That’s when we strike.”

“Okay, but how are supposed to do damage?” Lance asked. “We’ve already thrown everything we’ve got at this thing.”

“Not everything,” said Alfor. “Have faith in your Lions and in one another. You can do this.”

The old king’s steady voice was like an anchor in a storm. Maybe they could.

Shiro nodded. “Okay. Myzax just used one shot. Two more to go.”

As if by his word, Myzax lashed out again. Yellow stepped forward and widened his barrier over as many of the others as he could. It shuddered and cracked under the orb’s power, sending him stumbling back.

“We can’t take much more!” said Hunk.

“You won’t have to,” said Shiro as Myzax slung his weapon around for its third strike. “Everyone on me!”

In unison, they leapt into the sky, flying in the tight formation they’d seen in their vision. They concentrated, picturing coming together like they’d tried before. …And kept concentrating. The Robeast tilted his head in confusion.

“Nothing’s happening. I’m not feeling anything—shouldn’t I be feeling something?!” Hunk wailed.

“Are you messing us up again, Mullet?” said Lance.

Keith snarled at him.

A second later, they did feel something, but not what any of them wanted. The orb arced into them, sending all five Lions crashing to the ground. Groans filled the comlink.

Getting to his feet, Keith noticed where they were: Gazrel Hill. “The village.”

The others saw it, too. They saw the houses, so simple and small, surrounded by fields of vibrant crops. They saw the square where they’d met the little king and became friends and danced. They saw a people they’d sworn to protect.

“Paladins.” Allura appeared on their screens, the Arusians crowded behind her. She opened her mouth again, only for Klaizap to leap into frame, nearly knocking her over.

“Paladins!” he said, gaze shining with stubborn hope. “Do not give up! You are Champions of the Great Beasts! You cannot fall here!” His voice hitched slightly. “Please. Our first day as friends cannot be our last. You haven’t finished teaching me yet.”

Keith smiled at that, small and grim but heartened.

Klaizap smiled back and raised his fist. “We believe in you!”

A small cheer rose from his people. Every one of them wore the same earnest expression.

“As do I,” said Allura. Her voice held the same confidence she always touted, yet it sounded softer now; warmer. Her electric eyes were almost glowing. “The Lions chose you. Trust them.”

Seeing all of their faces, fearful yet full of faith, made Shiro’s hands tighten on the controls. He knew the others were doing the same. “Thank you. All of you.”

Dismissing the line, he faced Myzax. His orb was charging again as he stalked toward them. But he would not make Lions into prey this day.

“Eyes up, Paladins,” said Shiro, his voice ringing clear and strong. “This fight is not over, not as long as we’re breathing. We’re the Arusians’ only hope. We can’t fail. We won’t fail. If we work together, we’ll win together!”

“SIR, YES, SIR!”

The Lions roared with them mightily, their bodies igniting in their respective hues. Together, they took to the sky, blazing trails of color through the clouds. Legs rearranged and tucked away; bodies converted into limbs, connecting to one another along ancient pathways; the Black Lion’s mouth parted, revealing a new face. Like a star from the heavens, it shone over the world, landing in a cloud of dust. Alteans and Arusians alike gaped as the titan stood tall for all the universe to see.

Tears filled Allura’s eyes. “Voltron.”

“They figured it out,” Alfor whispered in relief as Coran and the mice cheered.

The Paladins were even more shocked than the Galra in orbit.

“I can’t believe it!” said Keith.

“We actually did it!” cried Pidge.

“I’m a leg!” yelled Hunk.

“How’re we doing this!?” squealed Lance.

“I don’t know,” Shiro replied, laughing at little, their elation cascading over the bond, “but we can figure that out later. Right now, it’s time to end this!”

Engines along the legs and the wings thrust Voltron forward, leaving a massive footprint in the ground below. Within seconds, he reached the Robeast. Keith threw a punch straight for its head, but Myzax caught him in his hand. Seizing the opening, Pidge landed an uppercut, followed by a right hook from her now-freed fellow arm. Myzax spun back from the blow, though was only down for a moment, then threw the orb into Voltron’s chest.

The five went flying, crashing into a nearby hillside. They got the titan upright with pained grunts, only to be struck in the back as the weapon came around. Forced up on stiff limbs, he fumbled around a little, his Paladins not yet used to only controlling one body part.

Shiro muttered, “That’s one strike.”

“Why do I feel like we’re doing worse somehow?” asked Hunk, trying his best to keep them steady.

“How about we hit this guy with a little laser action?” said Lance.

Sensing the pointedness of his request, Pidge raised Voltron’s arm and fired. Or at least, she meant to. Instead of a powerful laser, Black’s wings detached and interlocked against Green’s muzzle, forming a shield. Although the Paladins were confused, it quickly proved its usefulness by blocking the next strike, if haphazardly.

“I said lasers!” Lance shouted as the titan stumbled back.

“It worked out, didn’t it?” snapped Pidge.

“Two.” Shiro’s gaze hardened.

“Orb! ORB!” Hunk cried.

They turned to stop it again, and were promptly blindsided by Myzax ramming his shoulder into their side, effectively sandwiching them between it and the sphere, crackling with laughter, it seemed. They went spinning to the side, tumbling over the land. Shiro remembered the feeling; he also remembered having something cool and sharp in his hand last time.

“We need a weapon,” he said, commanding Voltron to move.

He strained to get to one knee, using the shield like a crutch, then looked up to see Myzax twirling the orb around its base. Now it was just taunting them. It knew they were uncoordinated, and intended to collect on their discord. Swinging its arm around, it charged.

Keith could sense the others’ fear; an ugly, overwhelming thing, and it was trying to worm its way into his heart as well. He knew that’s what the fear wanted. It was what it had always wanted. And as always, he refused to let it in. In the echo of his resolution, Red growled, directing his attention to a section of the dashboard as it rose up. An odd yet familiar-looking control flashed in the center of the panel. His Lion purred encouragingly.

‘A weapon—?’

The monster was upon them now, leaping up with his orb raised high.

The others’ minds went blank. Images flooded the bond: them, lying on the shattered ground, bruised, bloodied, torn to pieces—!

“NO!”

A wave of blistering heat slammed against their psyches as the walls in Keith’s mind came crashing down. They felt his uncertainty, his determination, and his rage. But most of all, they felt his protection wrapping around them like the flaring wings of a phoenix.

“I WILL NEVER LOSE ANYONE EVER AGAIN!”

Keith roared with all his heart, plunged his bayard into the panel, and twisted. Red and Green’s heads slammed together, sharing a burst of energy. His consciousness almost overriding the others’, he pulled back, drawing the weapon from its invisible sheath. Myzax fell upon it.

Blazing Sword.

A single slice. That was all it took for the battlefield to fall silent as the former gladiator fell to his knees. A second later, in a crackle of purple lightning, the monster’s metal shell buckled and burst, igniting in a fireball twice his size. It rattled the earth, the heavens, and even the Paladins, yet they remained unscathed.

With a twirl and two accentuating swings of his sword, Voltron stood triumphant.

Cheers erupted from without and within, filling the world of Arus as its people joyously returned to their homes. Allura took a moment at the cave’s entrance to steady her breaths, then smiled at the great titan, knowing her father and Coran were doing the same.

“How did you do that!?” cried Hunk.

Keith released the breath he’d been holding, his muscles finally relaxing. His presence within the bond faded back into his corner of it, though it shone much brighter than before. He removed his bayard, dismissing the sword in a flash of energy, and let out a soft chuckle.

“Thanks, Red.” His Lion rumbled warmly in reply as he rested his head against his seat with a sigh.

However, across the plains, the antenna from the coffin still stood. It pulsed with corrupted light.

———————————

“Nooo!” Haggar’s cry reverberated hollowly in the space as she felt the connection to the Robeast snap. “I’ll make another—more powerful.”

From beside her came a low, bestial noise, one of controlled frustration and displeasure. Not often was such a sound directed at her, and it made her stomach twist just a bit.

At length, Zarkon spoke, each word carefully considered as always. “Not yet. It’s clear we underestimated these new Paladins. For now, we will have Sendak keep watch.”

“Can he be trusted?”

“I trained him myself.” He allowed himself the faintest glimmer of pride. “Only victory or death will stop him.”

While Haggar didn’t share his confidence in Sendak, the strategy did provide her time to refine her beasts. Her next creation would be stronger, faster, better in every way, and when it and Voltron met, the power of the Lions would at last be theirs.

———————————

Back on the warship (which had quickly made itself scarce after the battle) Haxus entered the bridge just as the feed to Central Command cut. Since his stunt in the throne room, he’d been banned from participating in any briefings from the Emperor for the next phoeb. He tried not to let it feel too much like a time-out. After all, he was lucky he hadn’t lost a limb, or worse, been demoted.

Waiting until Sendak fully stood, he tentatively drew closer and asked, “Our orders?”

“We have been challenged to rise from the mud and prove our worth,” the general replied without turning around, a subtle hesitation in his voice, “by monitoring our enemies so we may find and exploit their weaknesses.”

Haxus’ eye twitched. ‘Monitor duty!? That’s a drone’s job! Forget rising from the mud, we’re sinking into the abyss!’

The only minuscule consolation was that his commander seemed as irritated by the assignment as he was, just in a more covert way. But if that was the order, they didn’t exactly have much choice.

“Very well,” he said, standing beside Sendak and disguising his growl as an exhale. “Where do we begin?”

———————————

The Paladins strode down the dirt road to Gazrel Village, their feet feeling as light as feathers. Upon reaching the first building, they were set upon by a jubilant crowd. The Arusians cheered louder than their little lungs should’ve allowed, jumping on the group as they walked and laughed with them. In the town square, they were swept up in a massive hug by Allura, who was somehow able to wrap her arms around all of them at once.

“You did it! You did it! You did it!” she squealed, squeezing tighter and tighter.

“Super strength,” Shiro grunted out.

“Can’t breathe,” wheezed Pidge.

“Bones,” choked Hunk.

Returned to her senses, she released them, placing her hands behind her back and clearing her throat, a hint of pink on her cheeks. “I-I mean, good job out there, Paladins.”

While they got their lungs working again, the sound of a ship engine roared toward them. An Altean shuttle appeared over the village rooftops, swinging down to a wild landing that nearly tipped it onto its side before it toppled upright again, startling many villagers out of the way and knocking over a stack of dishes for the feast. The Arusian cooks shook their fists at the shuttle.

The canopy disappeared and out bounded Coran. He rapped his fists on Hunk’s shoulder, saying, “Ha ha! Nicely done, nicely done! Nothing like a giant monster attack to bring a team together.”

“Yeah, and here I was worried it was gonna be something hard,” said Lance as he and the others took off their helmets, earning a chuckle from both them and the crowd. Noticing Keith was smiling too, a sly grin crept onto his face, and he slid over. “So, Mr. Lone Wolf has a soft spot, hmm?”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t try to deny it, Mullet.” He slung an arm over Keith’s shoulder. “You got all protective of us back there. Guess the stories are true: tough guys are all gooey on the inside. Come on, admit it. You love us.”

He poked Keith’s face as he spoke, which he regretted when his finger was snatched and bent at the wrong angle.

“G-forces mess with your head?” asked the young man, releasing him. His cheeks definitely weren’t a bit pinker than usual.

As Lance rubbed his sore hand, Shiro put his arms around the pair and pulled them close. “Well, I’m glad to see you two are finally getting along.”

Lance hummed, thinking for a moment. “Huh. I actually don’t hate you right now.”

“Victory high,” said Keith flatly. “It’ll pass.”

Watching the three laugh, a memory flashed through Pidge’s mind of a similar sight; Matt should’ve been standing where Lance stood. Her smile faltered.

“I still don’t understand,” she said, taking out her glasses and fingering them gently as the others turned to her. “Why would you hurt my brother? You were friends.”

Stepping between the boys, Shiro answered, “I did it to save him.”

“What?” The others shared her confusion, casting raised eyebrows at each other.

“It came back to me when we were fighting the monster. Your father was being sent off to a work camp with the weaker prisoners. Meanwhile, Matt and I were forced to fight in the gladiator arena.”

The scent of stale dirt and sweat clogged the air, clinging to the inside of Shiro’s nose and making it itch. Sentries herded him toward the colosseum. Though he and the other prisoners’ cuffs had been removed, it was more unnerving than relieving. Seeing Myzax roaring in all his murderous glee turned it to complete dread. Slaughter awaited them.

“Matt was going to fight first, but he was scared. We all were.”

“This is it,” said Matt in a high, trembling voice, his heart pounding in his ears. “I’m never gonna see my family again.”

“You can do this,” said Shiro, placing a hand on his shoulder. In truth, he did it as much to comfort his friend as to keep himself from shaking.

It didn’t matter either way. The gate opened, allowing the full force of the audience’s twisted cheers to hit them, nearly sending them stumbling back. A sentry held out an odd sword. While the Holts may have been the scientists of their group, Shiro could make a few calculations of his own, and all of them had the same answer. Matt wasn’t a fighter — heck, he was barely twenty-one. If he went out there….

With a harsh yell, Shiro rushed forward, shoving his frozen crewmate into the other prisoners and grabbing the blade from the guard’s hand.

“This is my fight!” he bellowed, and brought it down across Matt’s knee. He let out a pained cry and fell to the floor, clutching his wound. Before he could begin to question what was going on, his friend was on top of him, savagely yelling, “I want blood!”

Matt stared at him, his eyes wet with confusion, betrayal, and fear. It was everything Shiro had never wanted to see. But this was for the best.

He let the mask slip. “Take care of your father.”

Copper eyes widened. Mechanical hands grabbed Shiro and hauled him away into the arena, leaving his friend reaching in vain.

They never saw each other again.

“…You attacked him…so they would choose you instead.” Eyes stinging, Pidge ran into Shiro’s arms and buried her face in his chest. “I’m so sorry I ever doubted you, thank you. Thank you so much.”

He returned the embrace firmly as Keith stepped forward. “We’re sorry for doubting you, too.”

Shiro smiled at him in that old way that said it was already forgiven. He turned back to Pidge and gently ruffled her short auburn hair. It was so much like Matt’s. ‘You once made me promise to take care of her if anything happened to you and Sam. I’m going to make good on that. Whatever I became in that arena, today, I choose to be a Paladin.’

“To be honest, I doubted myself,” Shiro replied at last, his gaze falling to his right arm. “There’s still so much I don’t remember. But like the man said” — He glanced at the Arusian King — “life’s too short to be consumed by the past. What matters most is what’s to come. And I say it’s time for a celebration!”

“Hoorah!” Jubilant cheers arose at the king’s raised fist, and in short order, music filled the air of Gazrel Village once more.

“Oh, and before I forget.” Coran hurried over to the shuttle and pulled out Pidge’s backpack and Galra security drone. “You called with impeccable timing. I was just able to nab them on my way out.”

She eagerly took them. “Yes!”

“Seriously?” said Lance. “We’re supposed to be having fun.”

“This is fun for me,” she replied, then ran to find a good place to set up.

Lance rolled his eyes a little before turning to Shiro. “Alright, Captain, I think it’s time for those moves you promised to show me.”

“Only if you’re okay with getting slaughtered on the dance floor,” he said, confidently strolling into the center of the square.

“Oh-ho, so that’s how it’s gonna be.” Lance grinned, jogging close behind. “Look out, everybody, the old-timer came to play!”

“Why do you two—I’m not that old.”

“I’m gonna go help with the food,” said Hunk, having no interest in embarrassing himself by exposing his infamous lack of coordination.

Coran and Allura were swiftly occupied as well, the Arusains pulling them away and asking for tales of Voltron’s other exploits. That just left Keith. He observed them all, sharing a smile with Klaizap. The little warrior bowed with two fingers against his forehead, just as he had to his king. His friend returned it.

The young man watched Klaizap join in the festivities, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting all the scents and sounds seep into his memory. Opening them, he turned and gazed up at Lions. They stood proudly over the village, their vibrant armor glinting even brighter in the warm glow of evening. Ever vigilant; ever unusual. He let his feet follow his wandering vision and made his way to the edge of town, catching someone’s attention along the way. He came to the short cliff overlooking the grasslands and the Castle of Lions. Keith stared at it, its pearlescent hull shining as the inlet sparkled like a thousand gemstones behind it.

A light breeze tousled his hair as he let the events of the past few hours (and days, for that matter) fully sink in. In just one week, he’d found Shiro, somehow befriended people who were nearly as crazy as him, gotten shot into space by a giant robotic Lion, met three-thousand-year-old aliens, found more Lions, been chosen by one after nearly dying twice, and had now defeated a gladiator-monster by combining said Lions into one titan robot.

That memory stuck out the most. Being close with others was one thing, but to be literally bonded to them — mind and soul, their very essences — it was something he could never have dreamed of. The sensation of their presences tying to his lingered in his chest. Even now, playing it over in his head, it left a strange feeling in its wake, stretching throughout his body. He looked at his hand and wondered what else may lay hidden within such power.

He closed his fist with a slow exhale. “You’re still not stealthy.”

A nervous laugh came from behind as Allura meandered closer, asking, “Are you enjoying the view?”

“Yeah,” Keith replied.

“Quite the quintant,” she said after a second or two. “The others are so energized, I doubt they will sleep a wink tonight.”

“Not me,” he huffed with an air of amusement. “When my head hits the pillow, it’s gonna be lights out.”

Allura chuckled, then joined him in taking in the lovely scenery. A short minute passed before she cleared her throat.

“Keith, I owe you an apology, and an explanation for my recent actions.” He waited for her to find her voice. “Please understand, I was only trying to do what I thought was best, but that judgement was clouded by emotions I should have never taken out on you. I was angry, you see — not with you, but with myself — because…well…” She fiddled with her pinkie finger and glanced away. “Because my father was—”

“I know.”

Allura looked up, her eyebrows knitted together in surprised confusion.

“Red recognized him,” said Keith. “He misses him.”

Her hand hovered over her chest, slightly clutching at her heart. To know his Lion still cared for his old Paladin, even so long after death, was wonderfully comforting.

“And honestly, my behavior hasn’t been the best either, so I’m sorry, too.”

They shared small smiles and nods, lapsing into another stint of silence before Allura spoke up again. “If I may ask, why are you over here? It is for more than simply observing the castle, I take it.”

“Not really.” At her questioning hum, Keith let out a slow breath, gathering his words. “Back on Earth, I was never what you’d call ‘well-adjusted’, even at the Garrison. I was always out of step with everyone else. Never thought I was even capable of getting along with others. But…something’s different now. Something changed up there in the Lions. And now, when I look at the castle…” He drank it in again, in all its strange yet familiar beauty. “…I see home.”

The rustle of wind was the only sound to be heard. Allura stared at her companion.

‘Crud, that sounded weird!’

“Uh, if that’s alright with you,” Keith suddenly stammered, rubbing the back of his head with one hand and waving the other around as if trying to physically clear the air, “sorry, I-I’m not trying to impose or anything, um…”

Her small laugh cut him off. She replied, “No, no, of course not. In fact, I am honored that you feel that way. The halls of the Castle of Lions have been empty for far too long. I am glad they are filled with life once again.”

He sighed in relief, actually allowing his muscles to relax as they returned to the quiet of the Arusian plains. It didn’t last long, however; a triumphant cheer rang out. Pidge was standing with her fists in the air as the security drone hovered up and looked around with curious beeps and chirps, its once-purple lights now neon blue.

“Speaking of filling things with life,” said Keith, Allura mirroring his smirk as they made their way back to the others.

“I’m gonna call you Rover,” said Pidge.

“Rover, huh?” Lance asked, leaning over. “That sounds like a dancin’ name to me. Whaddya say, little buddy?”

The drone chirped and followed the two as a new song began.

“Come on, Keith, join us,” called Allura, noticing him falling behind.

“Not a chance,” he replied, accepting a bowl of soup from Hunk and staying well away from the dance floor.

“Oh, come now,” said Coran, a villager dangling from his arms for some reason. “You should enjoy yourself as much as you can. After all, times like this are going to be rare for the Vanguard.”

The movement in the square stopped.

Lance echoed, “Vanguard?”

“Did we not tell you?” Allura said. “That is what the Lions and Paladins of Voltron are collectively called.”

“Along with the ‘Beast Kings’, ‘Destroyers of Doom’, ‘Lion Force’, ‘Spirit Sentinels’ — odd story there — and the ‘Defenders of the Universe’,” Coran rattled off with several long plucks of his mustache.

“Defenders of the Universe, huh?” Shiro turned to the Lions watching over them. “That’s got a nice ring to it.”

“Here, here!” called the Arusian King as he raised his cup. “To the Voltron Vanguard! Hoorah!”

While yet another round of cheers rose from Gazrel Village into the deepening evening sky, Keith leaned against the side of a house. His vision wandered over the crowd, watching his brother and friends as they danced the evening away, and Klaizap as he zealously reenacted the battle with the mice’s help. Then he caught something: a blue light sitting at the feet of the Lions, formed into a familiar figure. Their eyes met.

‘Well done.’

A ping — different from the ones before, but inviting and warm all the same. Keith returned Alfor’s smile as the old king’s form faded away and drifted into the sky like star dust, a hint of crimson coloring his glow.

‘And here I was worried this week would be boring,’ he thought.