Author's Advisory:

The set up for chapter two is based off a Tumblr vignette by Angelitalysrg posted on July 9th . They have been very gracious in allowing me permission to work from that inspiration.

I want to thank my Beta reader ChocolateYuriObsessor for always being an attentive listener and not allowing me to give up.

And now without further ado I give you the most messed up contrived sequel to the first season of Voltron I could possibly imagine. Have fun.

Part one

Our Past: Nuestro Pasado

The castle was abuzz with positive energy. In all its grandeur and magic, the joy of the occupants perhaps shone brightest as it cruised through the void of space.

In a relative lull of malicious space activity the issue had again risen to the forefront of castle conversations. Earth. Though the work of the paladins was never done, Allura had conceded that returning to Earth for a short while would not be impossible. They would have to be careful, and certainly could not frequent earth, but a visit was not uncalled for especially in light of the morale boost this simple idea had brought to the earthlings aboard.

Presently all five Paladins were lounging, strewn across a circular couch in the center of the room.

Hunk and Lance, their sentimentality and homesickness released in the past several hours, were now talking about food of all things. The others were less prone to engage in ceaseless chatter, and had relaxed into a comfortable silence.

Keith's last months on earth had been spent holed up in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, as a dropout and seemingly a failure. He had cut all ties and been hopelessly stuck on some sort of demented 'anthropology' kick. The red paladin though tied to the Voltron cause savored the idea of a return to clean up things left behind.

Pidge had fought with her mother then abandoned home, spending those last precious months on earth distancing from her own identity and building a façade; one that came with strength and determination increased tenfold. A change in lifestyle Pidge had hoped would yield results, and in a way it had. Though she had not found her father or brother, the green paladin wished to rekindle hope in her mother after so long without news.

Shiro had darker thoughts to attend to. Though there were many things he missed about his home, he felt he could not make his return known, not after the warm reception had received upon his previous return. The paladin of the black lion would not be made a prisoner ever again.

This very issue of course was not isolated to simply Shiro. Contingency plans had been made. A return to Earth was risky. If the situation became dire, immediate extraction was top priority.

The collective hope was for a discreet entrance. The impressive battle ship that was The Castle of Lions would remain safely out of range, Allura and Coran manning the helm. One of the castle's standard transportation pods would be used for the final leg of the journey. The lions would not be brought to earth; they could not be risked. To the five homesick humans, their perceived 'itinerary' was clear. Communication was their first priority to secure a safe arrival. Afterwards if all went well they could proceed to a day of reunions and simple joys. The whole trip would end with peaceful withdrawal leaving behind an olive branch bidding Earth to join the Voltron alliance. It was this daydream of the best case scenario which flitted through the head of each paladin that afternoon.

A live feed relayed the current situation to Princess Allura. She smiled softly viewing lounging paladins through security monitors on the bridge. "They deserve this" she intoned. Coran hummed in agreement from across the room. Her eyes dropped to the control panel as she banished the video module. She silently clenched and unclenched her hands unwilling to raise her head. Coran gave a sigh "I'd say we deserve the same if only we had that option". A wave of mutual mourning passed in a brief glance they shared. "But we do not" Allura finished. They had this conversation and all it's iterations before, and would surely have it again.

"Allura" he dragged out her name, "please do not despair, I did not intend…"

"No, I know that" she answered.

Taking a breath she turned to her advisor with renewed strength. "I will not let it cloud this day. What we have here is a new hope; and most certainly a brighter future for this generation of paladins."

Just because they had lost their own home, Altea did not mean they had to wallow in misery.

A small smile of sacrifice wavered on her lips. "I have faith in them. I truly believe they can accomplish what we failed to do before".

Perhaps an hour later, or whatever time slices you prefer to quantify with, Allura and Coran left to fetch the others. They would soon be departing via wormhole.

The crew assembled in the bridge, all anticipation and nerves.

The uncertainties were endless.

But regardless…

Home.

They were on their way.

~\/~