Author's Note: This is word emphasis
This is telepathy/Lions talking to their Paladins
This is song, movie, book, anime/manga titles and copy written stuff
Prologue
Tsukino Usagi knew her time was running out, even as she grips the sink in the Crossroads Sr. High bathroom tightly as her vision darkens. She had given too much of herself in her battles over the last two years. Her senshi, her so called friends, they didn't see that she couldn't recover from battles like they did. They didn't understand how much it took out of her to use the Ginzuishou like she did, resurrecting them, and all the other fantastical things she had done. All of that had a price, and she was now paying it. How she wished for someone whom understood her, someone whom would see only her, not the Moon Princess.
She died like that, a death grip on the sink, her eyes closed in agony, and it was Osaka Naru's horrified scream that alerts the whole school to the loss of the outwardly bubbly blonde. The Maboroshi no Ginzuishou has already spirited off its mistress' soul, and only takes along the Luna Pen of the senshi gear. The Crescent Moon Wand was only meant for her hands, and so it came along as well. Usagi had never wanted to be Sailor Moon, she never wanted to fight, and yet she had. Even when it took all of her will to get out of bed everyday, to face more of her parents' and senshis' scathing remarks. The Ginzuishou was sentient, and it knew it had to make damned certain the Sol System Sailor Senshi never found their princess again, even Saturn, though at least Sailor Saturn understood the price of power. Saturn saw her princess' misery, and gave her quiet support unlike their sister senshi.
2000, April 3:
Sam and Colleen Holt are stunned to find out that they had been gifted with twin girls. Katharine and Jennifer Holt. No one sees the yellow upturned crescent moon sigil glow briefly upon Jennifer's forehead, the Moon Princess had been reborn once more.
2014:
Unlike her sister Katie, Jennifer Holt did not go about breaking into Galaxy Garrison, then again, she was attending the school, and her sister's impulsive, obsessive actions almost got her expelled for merely being a Holt. Yes, it hurt when their father and brother went missing, but dammit, work with the system, not against it! The younger twin to Katie Holt currently finds herself making her way to the room of Lance McClain and Hunk Garrett after her brain produced another nightmare about what happened to her father and older brother. She doesn't even need to knock on the door, it opens just enough for her to slip in, and she's wrapped up in Lance's arms. He never asked, never needed to, he just gave her exactly what she needed. A pillar of understanding strength as she came to terms with what happened during the disastrous Kerberos Mission.
Chapter 1
2015:
Jennifer doesn't even start when she feels a chin on her right shoulder, " ¿Por qué nunca soy lo suficientemente bueno?(Why am I never good enough)? " is the murmured question.
" Do I need to kill Iverson? " is the immediate follow up question.
Arms wrap around her waist gently, " ¿Por qué siempre me comparan con Keith y me quedan cortos?(Why do I always get compared to Keith and come up short)? "
Jen abandons her schoolwork, she generally did her homework sprawled on her bed, and she turns around, " Te elegí, Lance McClain, ¿no? Keith puede tener todo ese ambiente de chico malo, pero tienes algo completamente diferente. Un corazón amable, afectuoso y compasivo(I chose you, Lance McClain, didn't I? Keith may have that whole bad boy vibe going on, but you have something else entirely. A kind, caring, and compassionate heart). "
She runs her hands through his hair, Lance happened to be a very tactile person. Lance may come off as overconfident and self-assured, but he wasn't. Hence why it was generally either herself or Hunk to bolster his flagging self-esteem when he needed it. " ¿Qué hice para merecerlo?(What did I do to deserve you)? " Lance murmurs.
Jen could almost feel her heart break right then, "Tú eras tú mismo, Lance. Estabas allí cuando necesitaba un hombro para llorar, todo sin una sola queja.(You were yourself, Lance. You were there when I needed a shoulder to cry on, all without one single complaint). "
Lance buries his face in her neck, inhaling deeply. It was only when he pulled away that Jen knew he was in a better mindset for the moment. He pulls her to her feet, and wraps her in a bear hug, " Eres demasiado bueno para mi(You're too good for me). "
He winces when she lightly smacks him, " Lance Charles McClain, that's enough of that! It was you that held me together through this last year! "
" You know I can't help it, mi amor(my love). " Lance says.
" I know, Alejandro. "
A genuine heartfelt smile emerges, he'd americanized his name, mostly because very few could pronounce his name right. Hearing his name, his true first name said by the girl in his arms, something clicked into place, and he brushes a gentle kiss across her lips. This wasn't the time for fiery passion. No, this was gentle, calm, all encompassing love. There was no need for haste, instead, he takes his time, kissing her thoroughly. " Come on, let's go grab Hunk, and your crossdressing twin sister. I have some team bonding to do, but, I am not leaving you behind, mi amor. "
Jen grabs her emergency travel bag, and her purple hoodie, one that was handknit by Lance, wrapping it around her waist, something told her it would be a long time before they got back. Jen leans against the brick wall next to the rooftop door as she watches the others, and doesn't even protest when Lance grabs her right wrist, bringing her along on the adventure. It was only after they were at Keith's ramshackle hut that the importance of finding Shiro, Takashi Shirogane, hit her. He had been the captain of the Kerberos Mission. She slips outside, and it wasn't long before Lance followed her, propping his chin on her head as his arms wrap around her from behind. He says nothing, at least she'd had the tact enough not to push for answers unlike her sister. Shiro had been through Hell, and Katie Holt just had to get her answers no matter what.
Jen leans back into Lance, accepting his silent support. Shiro observes them from the doorway, he was glad Jen at least had someone to turn to for support. Katie had turned all of her being into finding out the truth about what happened to their father and brother, Jen had done the healthy thing, and started moving on, she'd grieved, and accepted. Seeing him would have sent her emotionally reeling. The blue eyes of the cadet named Lance McClain shift over to him briefly, and Shiro backs away. That was the look of someone that would fight to the death for the one they loved in their eyes. Lance was letting him know that he would protect Jen, and that he also knew he was there as well. Lance may not look it, but he had exceptional situational awareness. He was also one helluva fighter. In hand to hand combat class no one liked sparring with him, including the teacher.
Lance, like Jen, was a master of Lerdrit, the one martial art that encouraged fighting dirty. Lance was not a brute force fighter. He was lean, mean, and agile. The only two that came anywhere close to matching him in combat were Pidge and Jen herself. That was one thing, other than his sniping ability that Lance was proud of. He swivels his head when Hunk approaches, and brings the both of them up to date on what was going on. " ¿Listo para otra aventura, mi amor?(Ready for another adventure, my love)? " Lance murmurs in her ear.
Jen sighs wearily, " As I'll ever be. "
Lance nods to Hunk, and the gentle giant nods back. Lance has them follow, keeping an arm around Jen's shoulders. He knew how much seeing Shiro would set her back, would give her hope that maybe her father and brother were still alive. Though when the cave floor beneath them gives out after he uncovers a hidden carving that causes them all to start glowing only he and Jen manage to act as though they're on snowboards, and they land on their feet at the end of the ride, as they had twisted in the air to avoid the water everyone else landed in. Lance takes in the sight of the massive mechanical Blue Lion, and Jen's own eyes, browner than her sister's are wide in shock. Even nine thousand years after the fall of Altea Legends of Voltron had still been going strong, it wasn't hard to recognize the right leg of Voltron. " Continúa, ella te ha estado esperando, Lance(Go on, she's been waiting for you, Lance). "
Lance walks forward before Shiro can speak up, and knocks on the barrier. Said barrier comes down, and Lance walks right in after they're all shown a vision of Voltron in its former glory. Jen was right on Lance's heels, and doesn't hesitate to settle on his lap. He runs a hand down her spine even as Blue roars in joy at being awake again. Lance can feel Blue communicating with him, and out loud he says, " Got it, " as he rams both control sticks forward.
When Keith insults Lance's piloting Jen's eyes flash, " Pidge, would you please smack that insensitive ass for me? "
Her voice was way too sweet, and Pidge slams an elbow into Keith. Keith wheezes as all the air in his lungs is forced out. Shiro knew better than to intervene when it came to feminine punishments. Keith would have to learn the hard way. Jen cards her fingers through Lance's hair briefly, " Ignorelo y concéntrese en volar. Escucha a Blue, ella puede ayudarte a pilotarla. Bloquee a los demás, y concéntrese, amor(Ignore him, and focus on flying. Listen to Blue, she can help you pilot her. Block out the others, and focus, love). " Jen murmurs in his ear.
She can feel him inhale deeply, exhale, and then fly them right out of the atmosphere. Her eyes stray to the once thriving Luna, and then the view of the Earth from space before working on keeping Lance focused. Pidge/Katie observes her twin keeping their pilot's focus on his flying, and not them. She had noticed that Lance wasn't as self-assured as he acted. He put up a damned good front, but that's all it was. Jen and Hunk worked overtime to keep Lance's morale up while Lance damn near killed himself to do the same for others, at his own expense. Hence why she had done as he sister asked. Lance had enough issues with his self-esteem, he didn't need Keith screwing that up for him even further.
Lance fires off a ice like laser beam, and then goes in close, allowing Blue to rake her claws along the Galra cruiser he'd been dodging the laser fire of. Jen frowns, and calls upon her mother star. Everyone's eyes widen as the Moon starts to glow a very bright silver, " Lance, oscurece la pantalla de visión, ¡ahora! Azul, cierra los ojos, ¡esto se pondrá brillante!(Lance, darken the viewscreen, now! Blue, close your eyes, this is going to get bright)! " Jen snaps, and both obey her just as the true power of Luna rushes out in all directions. No one noticed the sigil glowing vibrantly on her forehead, as she had her head buried in Lance's shoulder, activating the Sol System Castle Defense Grid, ensuring Earth would be safe.
" Mi amor, ¿qué acabas de hacer?(My love, what did you just do)? " Lance murmurs in her ear.
" Esta no es mi primera vida, Lance, es la tercera. Acabo de activar la malla defensiva del castillo de Sol System y llamé al verdadero poder de Luna, mi estrella madre. Había estado esperando nunca tener que usar mi poder innato como la Princesa de Luna nunca más(This isn't my first life, Lance, it's my third. I just activated the Sol System Castle Defensive Grid, and called on the true power of Luna, my mother star. I had been hoping I would never have to use my inborn power as the Princess of Luna ever again). " is the murmured response.
Lance blinks, he had noticed that she seemed to glow under the light of the Full Moon, almost like she was a goddess that had decided to descend to the Mortal Plains. Finding out she essentially was, at least in another life...that was major, and she was trusting him with that information. Which also lead him to the right conclusion that she had been Sailor Moon in her last life. This meant that she was most likely hiding physical evidence of her Lunar blood after what she had just done to save them all. " Lance, do you even know where you're going? "
" Blue does, Shiro, and I'm trusting her to warn me of anything I need to fly around. Blue is sentient, Mullet. " Lance says.
Pidge levels a glare at Keith, " I will elbow you again if you open your mouth. "
Keith wisely keeps his mouth shut in the opinion of the other males, and once Blue gave the okay Lance slowly brightened the viewscreen again. Jen's breathing shifted just enough to let Lance know she was now asleep, and he makes sure she's secure before the decision is made to go through the wormhole. A good thing too, though at least Hunk waited until he was outside of Blue, once they landed, to toss his cookies. Lance runs a hand through Jen's hair with just enough pressure to draw her back into the waking world. They were the last ones out of Blue, and Lance keeps her close. Jen was just glad her sigil had faded.
Lance is surprised when she stiffens next to him as Princess Allura introduces herself after a brief misunderstanding. What was it about Allura that had Jen on the defensive anyhow? When Shiro wants Jen to stay behind Lance's eyes narrow, " Nothing doing, Shiro. Jen is coming with me. Look, we already know I can pilot Blue with her on my lap. "
" No, we must make haste. " Allura snaps.
Jen's hands clenched into fists, and Lance swears under his breath, " Ella está de nuestro lado, mi amor(She's on our side, my love). "
Brown eyes are blazing with fury, " Oh, ¿esa polla absoluta conocida como Iverson?(Oh, like that absolute dick known as Iverson)? "
" ¡Mierda! ¿Por qué la equiparas con Iverson de todos modos?(Shit! Why are you equating her with Iverson anyhow)? "
Jen sighs, and Lance finds himself observing what seemed to be a series of memories, all of the same two girls, one that outwardly looked like a sunny and bubbly blonde, and the other a raven headed girl. The raven headed one was constantly berating the blonde, nothing the blonde could do was ever good enough. Lance stumbles when the memories release him, and he takes a second look at Allura through his peripheral vision, and he understands. Allura reminded Jen of that raven headed girl, and there was no way Lance could leave her behind, " That's enough wasting time for a childish tantrum. " Allura snaps.
" Watch it, Princess, or I will take Jen, and Blue, and leave! " Lance snarls, every protective male instinct in him coming awake at once. Coran waves them off, and takes Allura off to start on the castle defense systems. Coran knew that body language, that was the body language of a man getting ready to defend his lady's honor, and quite frankly Allura's behavior was bordering on bratty and petulant. Yes, they had just woken up and found out they had been asleep for ten thousand years, but that did not give Allura the right to disregard what a Paladin said. Once back from retrieving Yellow Lion, which had been an absolute nightmare Jen refuses to speak in any language other than Spanish. This meant that only Hunk and Lance could understand her.
That was when Coran gave them the good news, that the Red Lion was close, the bad news that another Galra ship was nearby, Jen had disintegrated the other one. Jen follows the others to where they get their armor as Paladins of Voltron. Coran starts working on armor for her with purple accents. When Lance comments on how cute her twin's weapon was Jen levels a glare her way, and Katie/Pidge rethinks trying it out on Lance. " Now you all look like true Paladins of Voltron. " Allura says, " I am sorry that the Black Bayard was lost. "
" Lo que ella no está diciendo es que el ex Paladín todavía lo tiene. Zarkon fue el primer Black Paladin(What she's not saying is that the former Paladin still has it. Zarkon was the first Black Paladin). " Jen mutters just loud enough for Lance to hear her.
" Mantente a bordo esta vez. Las cosas van a ser muy serias, mi amor, y preferiría que estuvieras aquí esta vez, está bien(Stay on board this time. Things are going to be very serious, my love, and I'd rather you be here this time, okay). "
She nods, " Recuerda, debes confiar en Blue. También necesitas actuar como uno con tus compañeros Paladines para formar a Voltron. Al igual que la primera vez que obtuve mi súper transformación. Tus corazones y mentes deben ser uno. Solo asegúrate de volver en una sola pieza, amor(Remember, you need to trust in Blue. You also need to act as one with your fellow Paladins to form Voltron. Much like how I first gained my super transformation. Your hearts and minds must be one. Just make sure you come back in relatively one piece, love). "
Coran observes the pair, he knew Lance had taken her along the last time to get some distance between her and Allura. Something about the princess raised the young lady's defenses, and Lance responded as any man in love would. " She can help me out with firing the weapons while Allura maintains the particle barrier. "
An understanding passes between Coran and Lance. Lance runs a hand down Jen's arm before heading for Blue. Coran understood that Lance was trusting him with his most prized possession, his heart. Jen Holt held the Blue Paladin's Heart and she protected it, and Lance fiercely. " When did you meet young Lance, Jen? "
Jen remains tight lipped, her gaze flickering to Allura, and Coran sighs, " She's not that bad once you get to know her. "
"Sicut quod est iucundus Martius et toto animo de Uranian(She is as likeable as a Martian, with all the friendliness of a Uranian). " Jen hisses out softly in her native tongue that had then become Latin on Earth.
Coran blinks, and looks at Jen in a different light. That had been Lunarian, the mother tongue of those born on Luna in the Sol System, the System the Paladins all hailed from. It was possible, but he would have to get his answers when Allura wasn't around. He definitely did not expect to see her glowing the same blue as Blue Lion mere moments later. Allura's eyes are wide in disbelief, " How is this possible, Coran? "
In Blue Lion Lance can feel Jen guiding his hands, helping him to respond just a hair faster, letting him have her reflexes, as he gets out of the way of the tractor beam. I'm here, my reflexes are faster, I can see through you, and Blue, Amor.
Got it, so you're synced up with me and Blue just enough that you can lend me your superior reflexes.
Correct, now I'll help you deal with those damned fighters while Hunk takes out that ion cannon. Blue Lion represents the element of Water, she can adapt to any situation, just like you can, Amor. However she can also use ice, and your elemental alignments fit in with hers perfectly, she has just enough air to form ice. Right now, what you need is the Sonic Cannon mounted in her back. If you can find the right frequency you can disrupt that particle barrier blocking Hunk from destroying the Ion Cannon.
Lance inhales deeply for a count of seven, holds for a count of five, and then exhales to a count of seven. Even as Jen guides his hands he's calculating the frequency needed to disrupt the particle barrier, Blue destroys several fighters as well, and then Lance activates the Sonic Cannon, " Hunk, now! "
" On it! " Hunk says as he and Yellow Lion go in for the kill. Yellow body slams the Ion Cannon, blasts the remains of it with his mouth cannon, and then makes metal sushi out of the scraps with his claws. Then he and his Paladin go to help Blue and her Paladin. Lance knew that Jen was having them move at the last possible second to reduce the strain on his body.
Lance, dive, now!
Lance doesn't hesitate, he cuts power, and let's Blue drop, before re-engaging the thrusters, and sending her into a spin that takes out several fighters. " You guys good? " Lance asks the boarding party.
" Considering I earned the respect of Red, I'd say we're all good. " Keith says.
" Sweet. " Lance says, and he remembers what Jen had told him about Voltron, " We need to get Black online, and then deal with this damned ship. " Mi Amor, did you destroy any innocents?
No, I sent them to Kinmoku, along with a warning to Kakyu and the Starlights about what the Galran Empire has been up to. Kakyu will get the word out amongst the Senshi Alliance. " Guys, you know the bond we have with our lions, right? Well, we need the same kind of bond with each other to form Voltron. Our hearts and minds need to have the same goal. "
" That actually makes sense. " Keith admits, " How did you…? "
" Not on an open channel. " Lance hisses.
They settle back on Arus, in front of the door that had the Black Lion sealed behind it, Jen was there waiting on them, her armor had been finished while she was synced with Lance and Blue. " Púrpura se ve bien en ti, mi amor(Purple looks good on you, my love). " Lance says.
Jen smirks, " El azul siempre se ha visto bien en ti, amor(Blue always has looked good on you, love). "
Keith groans, " Translation, please? "
Hunk chuckles, " They're just complimenting each other right now. "
Jen observes Black Lion, as he happened to be very majestic. " Remember what Lance said, our hearts and minds have to share one goal to form Voltron. " Shiro says.
" Defeating Zarkon and the Galran Empire. " Keith says firmly.
The others nod, that was a goal they could all get behind. Jen starts glowing blue again the instant they all board their lions, and she races back to the control room, I'm here, I'm with you, Lance.
Allura and Coran watch as Voltron is formed for the first time in ten thousand years, and the giant robot tears through the ship like wet paper, thoroughly destroying it. Jen keeps linked to Lance and Blue until they reach the hangar bay, and then she slowly pulls away. Jen looks at the drone, giving her twin a deadpanned look. Pidge/Katie rolls her eyes, though she smiles, " Can we all agree that we want Zarkon and the Galran Empire defeated? " Pidge asks.
" Yes, why? " Allura asks.
" Humans are inherently secretive by nature. We don't even share everything with our families. We like to keep our personal lives just that, personal. " Lance explains, " You Alteans may be more open and honest, but generally that kind of open honestly only happens when we truly and sincerely love someone else not family. "
Allura and Coran take this information in, " In other words, having a common goal you can all agree to will work best for your team cohesion. " Allura says after a moment to think over exactly how to phrase what she wanted to say.
" That about covers it, Princess. Let us build up to fighting together as a team, you can't just throw us all together and expect that to happen immediately. " Shiro admits.
" I need to get used to the recoil of the rifle my bayard becomes, " Lance admits, " A sniper is only as good as how well he knows his weapon, and the terrain around himself. "
Keith cocks his head to the side, and then he nods. He could understand that, Lance had always been top of their class when it came to shooting. " Princess, I believe we should give our Paladins their rooms. " Coran says.
Lance sighs, " Can I request Jen's room either be beside mine, or across from mine? "
" May I inquire as to why? " Allura asks.
" Myself, along with Jen's father and brother were captured by the Galra a year ago. My escape will have…" Shiro answers.
Allura takes in the girl in the purple accented armor, she hid it well, but there was a deep seated pain in her eyes. " I understand. " She really did too, apparently Jen went to Lance for support. She'd seen the way they had been interacting, and it was shockingly similar to how her parents had been with each other.
" I'll show Lance and Jen to their rooms, I believe I will give you two adjoining rooms. " Coran says, and leads the pair off.
Allura takes the others in hand, and Pidge/Katie watches her twin walk off. Once they had hit double digits they had stopped sharing a room. Jen still hadn't forgiven her for almost getting her kicked out of Galaxy Garrison. With Coran and the couple he can finally get his questions answered, at least about Lance and Jen's relationship. " Hey, Coran, got any material lying around, and maybe a sewing machine? " Lance asks.
Coran looks at him, " You can sew, dear boy? "
Jen pulls her hoodie out of her bag, " He knitted this for me. " What she didn't say was that it was to mark six months of dating.
" I figure we're all gonna need clothes, and I can make them. I was the only one that really took to abuela materna's lessons. " Lance admits.
" I will make sure to get those items to you poste haste, Lance. Allura and I haven't checked to see if the showers are working yet or not, so just get some rest. " Coran says.
The teens nod, and Lance manages to find something he could use as pajamas while Jen had brought hers along, which consisted of one of his t-shirts, and a pair of shorts, though she did have a pair of sweatpants as well. Jen slips back into his new room, and Lance settles them both into his bed, pulling the covers up over them. She'd come with him to visit his family, and his parents had no problems with Jen just straight up sleeping in his bed with him. His parents trusted him enough to be responsible. That should be good enough for the others, besides, he would never take advantage of Jen. He cards his fingers into her hair, and both of them drift off into sleep.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Voltron: Legendary Defender.
