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Black, your Paladin is missing. Who will pilot you in his stead? Blue’s soothing voice asks as the remaining residents of the Castle of Lions file into the room. They each wore a look of apprehension; Yellow’s paladin looked a little worse for wear.
The Orange One looked far too confident, Black notes to herself. She’d have expected Blue’s cub to be the most confident in being her next pilot, though he seems to have mellowed out somewhat. Blue’s cub stood to the side of the group, hands on his hips and staring ahead. Green’s cub sat by his feet, tip-tapping away at her device. Red’s cub stood at the back of the room, The Princess was attempting to corral the group in a way, giving some sort of speech to lift their spirits; something about being the defenders of the universe, blah blah blah, Voltron is needed for blah blah blah, Zarkon blah blah, Haggar blah blahblah…
Black?
Oh yes, choosing new pilots.
I’m not sure, She replies, But Takashi appears to be biased toward the red one. If I deem him worthy, then he can lead.
Green scoffs.
Oh, please. ‘Deem him worthy’ Of what? The responsibility of a group of adolescents that are hardly younger than him? I say you take the Princess. She appears to be a capable leader.
She’s far too harsh on them, Black dismisses. With her at the helm, they’ll be like zombies within a week!
Zombies? What are those?
Yellow’s inquisitive voice pipes up.
Oh! Little Lance told me about those! They’re creatures of human myth, apparently the walking dead; sentient corpses with an insatiable hunger for living human brains.
Blue’s voice held a smile in it. She clearly held a dear love for Lance.
… Interesting. I doubt Hunk would like those very much. Yellow responds.
Oh yes, Lance said that humans would make films on the subject and that Hunk was terrified of them.
Girls! Back to the subject at hand! Black grumbles. She could sense someone approaching the cockpit. Someone small and light, with soft pattering footsteps dragging against the metal floors.
I never knew the lions talked like this so much. Shiro chuckles from the astral plane.
Sometimes, they’re worse than the Paladins that pilot them. Black replies to Shiro. The visitor enters the cockpit.
“Let’s get this over with,” Pidge sighs. She plops herself into the pilot’s seat and attempts to grab the set of steering handles in front of her.
Keyword: attempt.
Who thought sending the small green one was a good idea? She can’t even reach the handles!
Black almost swears. She won’t even bother to look into Pidge’s mind space. Maybe when she’s older and more experienced, but right now? Please. She’s a mere fraction of the average Altean lifespan.
It’s probably like just a sign of respect or something. Maybe just sending in Pidge as a confirmation that you won’t choose her of sorts.
Shiro supplies.
This is wasting time. Black growled. We can’t afford to dawdle when Zarkon is still running around out there causing havoc.
Don’t worry. Pidge doesn’t want this either. See? She’s leaving already.
And Shiro was right. Pidge left the Black Lion to regroup with the others. Outside, Black could hear more conversation.
“Told you guys it wouldn’t work. Can I go and sit with Green now?”
“Alright then. Hunk! You’re next!”
“Oh, but what about me, Princess?”
“Coran, you can go after Hunk.”
“Uhh, How about we let Coran go? I don’t really want this leader position thing anyway. I’m happy being the tank man!”
“Hunk. Go.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Now a new presence made itself known in Black’s cockpit. Heavy, hesitant footsteps. Hunk sets himself down in the chair, his back hunched tensely, and his hands rested on his knees in a pair of fists.
“So, uh, hi? Um, i-if it’s alright with you, I don’t really want this whole leadership position. I’m pretty happy with Yellow - not that there’s anything wrong with you! I just.. I-I think that someone else is a better fit for this role! Like Keith! He’s Shiro’s right-hand man, y’know? I think if anyone could lead us without Shiro, it’d be him.”
At least this one makes an effort to communicate.
Not Hunk. This guy wouldn’t be able to handle the stress of leading Voltron. Shiro said almost immediately, though in a fond way despite its condescending wording.
I agree. Hunk’s a soft fellow with a heart of gold. He’s most suited as my paladin in every situation. Yellow piped up.
Hm, Yes. I don’t think he's right for this. Black decided. She makes no move to communicate with Hunk, who breathes a sigh of relief and steps down.
“Sorry guys. But I think we all know that wouldn’t have worked anyway!”
Coran happily leaps forward, twirling his mustache.
“Better Luck next time! I guess it’s my turn now-”
No.
“What!? A particle barrier!?”
“Pfft-!”
“I will take that as a ‘no’. Keith, you should go next,” Allura turns to where Keith stood, but he vigorously shakes his head.
“I wanna go last. I’m not doing this unless I absolutely have to.”
“But, the only other person here is-”
“Hey, Princess! You’re here too! Maybe you could give it a try?” Lance cuts her off.
Weird. Normally Lance’d be all over the whole heroism-leader-save-the-day sorta thing, Shiro notes.
Yes, usually. I like to think he’s grown rather attached to me! Blue huffs proudly.
He’s been quiet during this whole debacle. Is there something wrong? Black asks.
I think he’s just disheartened with Shiro’s disappearance, the poor boy idolized him you know?
He... Idolized me?
Yes, very much so. Apparently, you were quite popular at the school you all went to, on top of that, Lance has memorized every mission you’ve gone on, successful and unsuccessful. He admires you greatly. He regaled me in tales of your heroics regularly, including escapades I myself had witnessed.
Wow, I never knew he felt that way…
Black, the Princess is approaching. Green points out as Allura calmly struts toward the barrier Black has erected. She gently places a hand on the barrier, and Black gently sifts through her quintessence, getting a feel for the type of leader she could be.
Well? Red spoke for the first time that afternoon.
She’s a born leader, but she struggles to work with others and adapt to different ideals. She has her own view on how things ought to be done, which will clash with the current team’s dynamic. I can’t let her lead them. She’ll run them ragged and they’d die trying to fight a singular battlecruiser.
I agree. She could certainly attempt to ‘lighten up’ as Keith had once told me. Red’s voice filters through once more.
I still think Keith’s the best suited for the job. Shiro mumbles.
…He might be. But he clearly doesn’t want the job for whatever reason, Black replies.
Allura exhales and steps away from the barrier.
“...Keith, you need to go up. You’re our only hope,”
“What?”
I agree. What the quiznack? Blue growls.
Language. Both Black and Shiro reprimand in unison. This garners a slight chuckle from Green.
“You are the only other Paladin capable of leading the team. You need to reawaken Black, so we can continue to fight,” Allura grits out.
“Are we purposefully ignoring another perfectly capable Paladin, Princess?” Keith barks out.
…Why isn’t Lance saying anything? Shiro questions. Why’s the Princess singling out Lance?
Only she knows, Black Paladin, Blue replies somberly.
“...Alright. Lance may try his hand at reawakening Black. I sincerely doubt it will work, but if he insists…” Allura crosses her arms, pouting.
Like a petulant child..! Clearly, she is not used to not getting her way, spoiled rotten brat! Red huffs.
Red, your Paladin has quite similar mannerisms… Black raises a metaphorical eyebrow.
Keith does so in jest. The Princess does so out of spite and ego. She needs to be cut down to size, Red snarls.
I wouldn’t write the Princess off just yet. She’s simply not ready to be a leader. She doesn’t understand her soldiers have limits and she’s been thrust into a war with no training. She has a kind heart, but she’s trying to be a hard, cool-headed general. Yellow sighs.
“It’s okay, really! Let Keith try and awaken Black! It’ll be fine!”
But then why does Lance insist on not choosing himself either? I thought he was supposed to be the vain, egotistical one? Green asks. Blue snorts.
Hardly. Have you forgotten my Paladin’s role in Voltron? He’s the most selfless in the team. So much so, he’d give up his life for someone he hardly knows. He surpasses even Hunk when it comes to caring for others.
Of course not. The Blue Paladin is the support of Voltron, the heart. The adhesive that holds the team together. He holds the team up when they are at their lowest. Just like now. Green turns to the team.
Keith sighs, and steps up to the barrier, but stops when he passes Lance. Lance is visibly worried, and he tilts his head in confusion.
“Keith?”
Keith angles his torso toward Lance, holding out a hand.
“If we’re doing this, we’re doing it together.” His voice holds a small, soft smile. Lance stares at the outstretched hand for a moment, perhaps a touch too long when it falters, but immediately Lance grips it.
“Of course.” Lance’s smile is gentle but enthusiastic. Genuinely happy. Anyone who took a moment to look at it would be able to tell.
“Good.” Still gripping Lance’s hand, Keith guides the two up to Black.
“How will we know which one of us it is if Black answers?” Lance whispers.
“We’ll take turns in the cockpit,” Keith replies easily.
“On three, okay? One, two..”
The pair held their hands up to the barrier.
“Three.”
.
.
.
At first, there’s silence. In both the physical and astral planes.
Black? Shiro and Blue glance in Black’s direction.
There’s yet another moment of almost deafening silence when Black bursts to life.
Blue, how mad would you be if I stole your Paladin?
Depends on the context? Blue says.
I love him. Adore him. He’s a heart of gold, a head of conviction, a soul of promise. I want him. Can I keep him?
So now you understand why he must be protected at all costs? Blue’s voice drips with amusement.
Absolutely. I will protect him with my life.
Then, of course, Black. I trust you with my Paladin.
When the barrier lifts, Lance lets a gasp of surprise leave him.
“Wonderful. Keith, please take your place as the Black Paladin,”
This little-
Red… Blue’s voice is foreboding.
Relax, I have a plan for her anyhow.
“We don’t know which of us it is!” Keith exclaims, outraged.
“All we know is that it’s one of us!”
“The Black Paladin will feel a connection with their lion, of course,” Allura replies coolly.
“So obviously, you feel that connection, you are the Black Paladin,”
“I-”
“Lady, Gentlemen. I implore you to look past your biases and observe our new Black Paladin,” Coran gently proposed, gesturing behind Keith.
“You can’t possibly mean-”
“Yes. Look,”
Lance, lips pursed apprehensively, gases upon the Black lion, seemingly fixated.
“...Why me?” He whispers.
Coran presses a hand upon Keith’s and Allura’s shoulders.
“Perhaps we’ll leave them to be acquainted?” He suggests.
“.. I believe we shall,” Allura’s also quiet. It’s as if she now sees Lance in a new light, at least Keith hopes.
Coran guides the two to the recreational lounge, where Pidge and Hunk were waiting for them, having already vacated the premises when the barrier fell.
Coran’s sight lingers on the hanger doors for a moment, and he chuckles to himself.
“This is a new chapter to our adventure. I’m terribly sorry you will miss it, Shirogane,” He murmurs.
Oh, don’t worry Coran. I have a feeling I’m not gonna miss a thing.