𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙵𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑���� (𝙿𝚝 𝟷)
In the Castle of Lions, Lance is sleeping inside a pod within the Sleep Chamber as his team watches, sans Coran who is at the console. They are all in their normal attire, minus Allura.
"I can't tell if he looks healthy... or not" Hunk says.
"I think he's breathing weird" Pidge says.
"Oh, come on!" Keith says "Y/N wasn't in there for long"
"Don't bring me into this" Y/N says, Soul sat on her head. Keith tries tapping on the pod; Allura stops him.
"Not yet! A few more ticks." Allura said.
"How much better do you think he's gonna get in a few more ticks?"
"And what exactly is a tick?" I asked standing next to shiro, Iris in my arms
"You know, a time slice"
"Like a second?" Shiro asks. Every turns around,
"What is a second?" Allura asks. Pidge takes out a clock counting second to show Allura,
"Like this"
I'm not sure. I think ticks are bigger. Coran, do you have a ticker?"
"Right here, Princess" Coran takes out a ticker counting ticks to compare. Hunk, Pidge and Allura walk over to Coran.
"I think ticks are a little slower"
"I can't tell. We have to start them at the same time"
"Okay. Ready, go!" Both counters start together, everyone huddles around to watch.
"Yes! I think we're winning" Y/N says, from besides Coran. Shiro besides her.
"Winning what? The intergalactic time-measuring competition?" Keith asks, looking to her.
"Yes" Unbeknownst to the team, Lance exits the Sleep Pod and stumbles over.
"Aw, Lance, you ruined it. Uh-- Hey, Lance" Hunk hugs Lance.
"What happened?" Lance asks.
"We can tell you all about it while you get something to eat. Are you able to walk?" Allura asks, smiling.
"Talking? Eating? Are you asking me out on a date?" Lance flirts. Allura in unimpressed, as is most of the team.
"Yep. There he is"
"Yep, he's okay"
"Classic"
"Hasn't changed"
==
The Team moves to the Dining Hall while Lance eats food goo with the Altean Mice and Soul.
"He'd be Sendak's prisoner and Y/N would be in the Gladiator Fights right now, if not for Pidge." Allura says.
"Well, you and Y/N wouldn't have survived the explosion if Hunk and Coran hadn't gotten a new crystal" Pidge says as Lance feed Soul a spoon full of goo.
"Wow. Thanks, everybody. Sounds like the mice did more than you, though" Lance says.
"I punched Sendak!" Keith shouts.
"Yeah, apparently after I emerged from a coma and shot his arm off"
"And I woke up from my tortured state and pushed him back into the barrier" Y/N adds.
"We had a bonding moment. I cradled the two of you in my arms!" Keith said lifting his arms in the air. Lance and Y/N share a look.
"Nope" Y/N says.
"Don't remember, didn't happen" Lance adds "So, what happened to Sendak?"
"He's frozen in a cryo-pod. We're keeping him here in the Castle" Allura answered.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"He's too dangerous to be set free. Besides, we might be able to get some information about Zarkon from him"
"So, what's the plan now?" Lance asks.
"We have to get back to the Balmera and save Shay and her people." Hunk said.
"Wow! You are really hung up on this lady" Y/N hits Lance's arm.
"Lance, let him finish" Y/N said.
"No, it's not like that. Look, guys, when you see how Zarkon has treated these people and destroyed their home-- They've been under his thumb for so long, they don't know what it is to be free. It's up to us to set this right. This is what being a Paladin of Voltron is all about. It's time to man up." Hunk said. Pidge frowns.
"Then let's get moving. Time to go defend the universe" The team begins to leave the Dinning Hall. Pidge stops them.
"Wait, I have something to say first. I need to come clean. And I'm afraid this may change the way you all think about me. Just so there are no secrets between us anymore, I can't "man up." I'm a girl." She says, bluntly. Lance looks flabbergasted "I-I mean, I can "man up" because that's just a figure of speech. I don't have to actually be a man to "man up." I just have to be tough. But what I'm saying -" Pidge is cut off by Lance.
"Huh—Eh—Wha—?! You're a girl!? HOW!?"
"I've known for some time, but I'm glad you've shared it with everyone" Allura says.
"Yeah, I figured" Hunk says.
"Oh, yeah, me too." Keith says.
"I'm proud of you Pidge" Y/N says, smiling. Soul sat on her shoulder, nodding.
"Wait, we were supposed to think you were a boy?" Coran asks.
"Pidge, owning who you are is going to make you a better paladin" Shiro says. Pidge smiles in relief.
"It's good to get that off my chest. Now, let's launch this Castle-ship!" The Team leaves; Lance remains behind and shakes his head in disbelief.
"Wait, what? Pidge is a girl and the Castle is a ship? How long have I been out?" Lance said.
==
The Team arrive at the bridge, in their Paladin uniform. and six chairs rise from the ground. Shiro and Y/N are in the centre, side by side. Allura behind them. Then Keith, Lance; Hunk and Pidge surround them. Coran stands up front at the controls with Soul sat on the control desk.
"Activate interlock" Allura says.
"Dynotherms connected" Coran stays.
"Mega-thrusters are go."
"We are ready to depart Planet Arus on your mark, Princess"
"Firing main engines for launch" The Castle of Lions launches from Arus as the Arusians watch.
==
In the Castle of Lions, Hunk is pacing the Bridge as everyone sits around, watching.
"Okay. So, when we get there, what do you think? Do we just roll up and like, start blasting? Or do we land and have some... kind of public address system, like, 'Attention, Galras. This is Voltron. Turn yourselves in!'" Hunk pauses and looks around "No. Blasting, right?"
"Hunk, calm down. And, yes, blasting" Keith says, leaning against the wall.
"It's our first big rescue mission. He's excited." Shiro says.
"Excited to see his new girl-friend~" Pidge teases, bending her head back.
"Aww~" Y/N chuckles, Soul besides her also makes a noise sounding like laughter. Hunk gasps in defence.
"She's not my girlfriend! She's just a rock that I met and I admire very much" Unusual alarms start blaring.
"What is it? Are we being attacked?" Shiro asks.
"No, it seems to be a distress beacon" Coran replies.
"It's coming from a nearby moon. Apparently, a ship has lost power." Allura said.
"I wonder who it is." Pidge said.
"I hope their nice" Y/N adds. Soul nods in agreement.
"Whoever it is will have to wait. Shay has first priority. We can check back on them when we're done" Hunk crosses his arms.
"The Paladin Code states that we must help all those in need." Allura said. Hunk crossed his arms and frowned. I walked up to him and put my hand on his shoulder and softly smiled at him, he returned it.
"Wow! This is so cool. It's like we're space cops on space patrol. Coran, do we have a siren we can turn on?" Lance asks.
"Uh, no, but we could record you making a siren noise and broadcast that to them" Coran said.
"Perfect!" Lance shouted. Lance tries to imitate a siren. Shiro places a hand over Lance's mouth
"No, not doing that" Shiro said.
==
The Castle of Lions land on the moon where the distress beacon was sent from. Allura speaks over the intercom.
"Attention, damaged craft, this is Princess Allura. We are coming to assist you." The ship lands and Allura prepares to exit with the Paladins "Stay aboard and try to get as many of our systems clear of that Galra crystal energy as you can. We'll see who hailed us"
"Yes Princess" Coran replies.
==
Allura, Soul and the Paladins descend to greet the stranded crew on the moon's surface.
"You don't know how glad we are to see some friendly faces. Most folks don't want to get tangled up with anyone who's on the run from the Galra" The male says.
"So, you guys are fighting the Galra?" Y/N asks.
"Well, I don't think Zarkon is exactly quaking in his boots at the three of us, but we do what we can" He says "I'm Rolo. This is Nyma, and our cyber-unit, Beezer." He introduced.
"Hi" Nyma says. Lance is struck by Nyma's beauty; Pidge is amazed by Breezer.
"Cool robot" Pidge says.
"Hi! Name's Lance" Lance flirts.
"Was your ship damaged in a fight?" Shiro said.
"Yeah, we've really been through it with the Galra. Parts are hard to come by. Luckily, we were able to limp to this moon about a week ago. If you didn't pick up our distress signal, I-" Rolo said.
"We're happy to help. I am Princess Allura of Altea, and from now on, you won't be alone fighting the Galra. You'll have the Paladins of Voltron by your side" Allura says. Rolo compares the serious Shiro, Keith, Hunk and Y/N with Lance and Pidge, who are goofing off with Nyma and Breezer. He isn't impressed.
"...Okay" He agreed. Y/N sighs.
"I don't think they've heard of us" Y/N says. Soul nods
"It has been ten thousand years" Keith says, arms crossed.
"Voltron? Six robot lions that combine into this big robot... guy?" Lance says.
"Sounds impressive. I'd love to see it. Or-or him. Them"
"Why don't we get to work on your ship? I'm sure we all have places to be." Hunk says impatiently.
"Sure" Rolo says. He opens his spacecraft
"Pretty much our whole flaxum assembly is shot. I don't know what kind of extra parts you carry in this rig of yours. I've never seen anything quite like it" In the background, Lance flirts with Nyma. Shiro smacks him while Nyma laughs.
"I'm sure we can get you back up and running. Give Hunk a list of what you need. Coran can show you where to find it" Allura says.
"Okay"
"We'll go with you. Don't want you to have to carry all that yourself. Come on, guys" Rolo says. Rolo tries walking forwards to the Castle of Lions only for Hunk to stop him.
"Uh, I don't think so. You can just wait out here." Hunk said.
"Hunk, don't be rude" Allura says.
"Yeah, mind your manners. There are ladies present" Lance winks at Nyma "Hey" Y/N then smacks him. Shiro sighs.
"Oh, I'm sorry, oh but does anyone remember the last time we let our defences down? Someone kind of set off a bomb. Remember, Lance? Y/N? You two were almost killed" Hunk says.
"Oh, yeah..." Lance says.
"Good point" Y/N adds.
"Hunk's right. Sorry, but we have to be cautious" Shiro says.
"Hey, I don't take it personal" Rolo says "That's how it is out here. You've got to look out for your own. You're doing a good job, big man" Rolo hands Hunk a list of parts from Breezer.
"Yeah. Thanks"
==
Rolo sits with Allura, Shiro, Keith and Y/N. Pidge is distracted with Breezer. Lance is with Nyma.
"My planet was destroyed by the Galra and I was taken captive. I managed to escape, but not before I lost something" Rolo displays his prosthetic left leg.
"I know exactly how it feels" Shiro says. Hunk drags a hovercart full of parts over.
"Well, I hope there are some parts in here that'll fit" Rolo doesn't respond "You know, to get your ship moving?" Hunk says.
"Great! Thanks" Rolo shouted.
"So, what can you tell us about Zarkon's forces? Where are they concentrated?" Allura says. While in the background, Pidge zooms past on Breezer. Soul moves her head, following Pidge's movements.
"Well, his command ship sits right in the centre of the Empire. He mostly calls the shots from there and has his minions do the work, depending on who's closest. This is the territory of a real nasty bugger named Sendak"
"Oh, we've met" Keith says.
"How far are we from the centre?" Shiro asks.
"We're way out on the fringes" Hunk walks over
"Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I think you guys are kind of keeping Rolo from working. It's just that we're in a hurry. A hero named Shay saved my life, and I swore I would return to do the same for her and her people. You understand"
"Sure. Sorry" Rolo places a hand on Hunk's shoulder and then walks over to the hovercart to inspect the parts. Shiro approaches Hunk to whisper quietly.
"Hunk, we're going to get going soon, but I think Rolo might have some information that could be helpful to us" Shiro says.
"Not for nothing but I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him. We ought to leave him with parts and just say, "Adiós, amigo" Hunk
"Hey, bud! Sorry, but do you think you could hunt down a length of thermal pipe about yay long?" Rolo asks, using his hands to gesture the length.
"On the way" Hunk groans and leaves. Shiro, Y/N, Keith, and Allura approach Rolo.
"So, are there more freedom fighters? Any kind of organized resistance to the Galra?" Shiro asks.
"Only folks who haven't been colonized yet, or the lucky few, like us, who managed to escape somehow." Rolo answers
"Well, we're going to change all that" Keith sys. Y/N nodding in agreement.
"Yup" She says.
"That's good to hear, but I've got to warn you, it's pretty bad out there. You don't know what you're up against"
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