Chapter 2 – An Idiot

Ari had flipped out when he took her to the Black Lion. He'd hoped deep inside that it would purr to her or something, anything to say that he could go back to Blue or Red. But no, he was stuck. He flew her to the other side of the planet.

He'd asked what kind of sword she had.

"It's a Gladius. I read that there was this civilization where I come from that used it, called the Roman Empire."

Lance blinked. "The Roman Empire?"

"Yeah. They had a bunch of cool stuff, but eventually, mostly due to hubris and things, it collapsed." She tossed the gladius from hand to hand. "I really hope it's not a myth or anything, because it sounded really cool." He shook his head, grinning. "What?"

"Have you never been to Earth?"

"No."

"Then how did you get all the way out here?"

"I honestly have no idea. I don't have many memories from before I was—six." She grimaced, as if memories form being six were especially painful. "Not that I care," she snapped, whipping back into an apathetic state.

He tilted his head, the smile still on his face. "You're human, right?"

"It's the only description I fit. Though I'm supposed to be a social creature, and that's where I fall short."

"Have you met any other humans?"

"Just idiot. And you'll be meeting him soon."

They landed in the mountains near a city in a valley. "Monte Cristo, and probably as ironic as this excuse for a planet gets. Probably the most dangerous place in this whole system." Lance's eyes traveled up to a poster on the high wall, urging able bodied souls to join the Galra Empire. Ari noticed. "Interested?"

Her tone was full of that snarky sarcasm perfect for Red's paladin. "They're expanding. Usually they'd only have people with Galra blood."

"Guess that one guy's changing things up. What's his name again?"

"Lotor."

"Right. Him."

"Where are we headed?"

"There's this underground bar. And by underground, I mean pretty illegal."

Great. Two paladins he was considering, and they both were essentially criminals. Though, he'd had his fair share of run-ins with the law back home. "What's he like?"

"An idiot," she growled.

"Yeah, you've said that."

"Don't know what else you want to know."

"Neither do I." How had Allura known?

They weaved through a couple alleys and into the bar. It was crowded with aliens, none of which looked familiar to Lance. He was in awe at the masses of civilizations they had yet to uncover, some from planets still undiscovered. Ari walked towards a brawl on the far end of the bar, and as they got closer, a human boy with blond hair skid across the table, coming to a halt at the edge. He grimaced for a moment, but he focused on the redhead above him. His face broke out into a smile. "Ari!"

"Will."

"What are you doing here?" He sat up.

She crossed her arms over her chest, her frown deepening. "I could ask you the same question. You can't even drink."

How young are these two? This was going to be the youngest Voltron team on record, if it kept up. He hadn't even turned eighteen yet, and they couldn't drink, so on this planet, they had to be younger than sixteen. All of a sudden, he didn't want to add them to the team. They were too young. It was too dangerous.

But I don't have a choice.

"What's going on?"

"I'll explain on the way."

"Always a mystery with you." He leaned forward, batting his eyes. Lance snorted. He was good. "Care to share?"

She leaned back in disgust, and Lance knew something else was going on. Or had gone on. It was a broken relationship, and he was an expert on those. "Just get your stuff."

A couple brawny men stepped up, and Lance's hand instinctively went to his bayard. "Blondie's not going anywhere until he pays us back."

"What did you do?"

"C'mon, you can't expect me to run this place without having a little fun." He looked at her expectantly, but she wouldn't budge. "I may have set a couple bets on an arm wrestling thing."

She facepalmed.

The brawny men stepped forward again, and the boy slid of the table and behind Ari, his eyes wide. "Um—don't come any closer! I have a Samurai on my side."

"Oh my gosh, Will, that's just a legend!"

"Actually," Lance stepped forward, drawing his bayard, "it's not."

Will bounced up and down. "Hi I'm Will who are you it's nice to meet you!"

He smiled, holding out his hand. "I'm Lance."

Will shook his hand. "Nice to meet you! I'm Will."

"Will you guys quit?" The brawny guys had drawn their weapons as well.

Lance grimaced. "Best case scenario, we don't have to fight."

"So the plan is?" Ari asked.

"Scram!"

Given they were all shrimps, it didn't take long to avoid the brawny men looking for money. On the way, Lance explained to Will the Voltron situation, while Ari tracked behind them, making sure they weren't followed (or being antisocial in general). Will was all on board, and Lance knew he was right for Blue. But as he got to know little Will more, he saw himself, before everything happened. Hopeful and carefree, smart and witty. Dashing, though he knew he shouldn't puff himself up. His chest hurt more and more.

Back at Black, Will busied himself fangirling over the sheer awesomeness of a lion of Voltron. Ari belted herself in for the ride, refusing to say a word to Will. Lance stayed in the cockpit, but realized neither of them planned on talking to him. He settled back into his seat, patting the controls.

"What do you think?"

Nothing bad.

"They're pretty neat. Ari's about as edgy as Keith. And I hate to admit it, but Will's essentially me, but smaller. A mini me."

The Black Lion purred.

"Is this really how it's gonna go? Just finding new paladins and training them? Because—" he choked up "—that's fine. That's fine. It'll be fine. This—this is the right thing to do. Not that I can do anything else right now."

He settled back in his seat, hands on the controls, tears stuck in his eyes.