Author's note: I've decided to make it a series after the idea of making the first five chapters as their POVs. Their insights and thoughts before jumping to main story line.

Part 1 will their POVs. Main story will start in Part 2.

Exhaustion. Everything felt exhausting to continue. It was too much and too soon to handle for being a leader of Voltron.

Keith just flopped back on his bed with one arm over his chest and another over his eyes while his legs laid out straight. He let out a huge sigh and rolled on his side with his head resting on his folded arms.

How did Shiro handled this much pressure?

Shiro.

"Patience yields focus."

"That really stayed with you, didn't it?"

"You've given me some good advice."

"If it wasn't for you, my life would have been a lot different."

It was true. Shiro was his hope. His reason of life. Without him, he wouldn't be where he was now. From an orphan without a purpose or hope to Garrison fighter pilot cadet who got kicked out later to becoming the Red Paladin who defends the universe with the most powerful weapon, Voltron.

It was almost two whole Earth months since his disappearance.

The Paladin role alone was enough to be stressful with, but adding the leader role and piloting a Lion that wasn't his was overwhelming. He wanted to pass it off to someone who was more qualified to lead. Everyone knew how hot-headed he was and always jumping to battles without a thought or plan. Like when he went to battle against Zarkon alone. That didn't pleased anyone, but it was his only thought of saving Black. To strike head-on.

Why did Shiro choose him as the leader? Why? Allura was most suited as their leader. She was headstrong and confident with her role as the princess so it would be a given.

It wasn't the case. Shiro had told both Allura and Coran about his decision after their rescue. Allura mentioned how Keith was more open in acceptances while staying cautious. It was a trait that Allura was currently lacking in, but can be improved with more gain experiences.

"Keith, I want you to lead Voltron."

"Stop saying that, Shiro. You'll be alright."

Those words kept repeating in Keith's mind ever since then. He had ask Black for permission to fly her to save Shiro, her chosen Paladin. He was surprised how spacious the cockpit was, but her controls were different from Red. Black was a much bigger Lion than Red so her movements are slower, but with great strength and power.

"You'll have to control your emotions if you're going to lead this group someday."

"Lead the group?"

"When we were stranded, I told you, if anything ever happens to me, I want you to lead Voltron."

"I thought you were just delirious in pain. Why would you make me the leader?"

"Because I know what you're capable of, if you can learn some self-discipline."

Shiro had to mention it again when they went to Blade of Marmora base. He was very firm with his decision and his own life. Why didn't Keith noticed how much pain Shiro was hiding? If he had noticed, then he would be still here? Would he?

But he was not alone with his decision. Black Lion had imputed her own opinion and Keith could tell how much both Shiro and Black had talked about this. Black had been watching Keith before Shiro noticed and was happy (but felt sad) that her Paladin had the same thought.

What shook Keith the most was Red.

She ONLY agreed to let Keith go and accept their new switch up. It was AFTER she locked him in her cockpit with the shield barrier up and had a loud roaring arguments with Black and the other Lions which Keith had left with one massive headache from listening all their roars in his mind before Red gave a soothing purr and apology. He still love Red.

At least, they let Keith keep his red uniform. However, he had to give up his Red bayard to its new owner and carry the Black bayard. The symbol of leadership. The very weapon that Shiro finally obtained from Zarkon before his disappearance.

Keith rolled on his back again and staring up at the white ceiling.

Red.

He could feel her familiar purr in the back of his mind with a smile. Red was giving her new pilot some headaches. Keith can't really blame her, but it was something they learned to accept. More than once, he had to step in and helped (more like saving) with her new pilot. Allura did mentioned how temperamental and most difficult Red was to pilot.

How did the idiot think he would pilot within a few ticks? It took Keith being sucked out of the Galra ship for Red to accept him. He had a feeling that Red just wanted to give him a hard time before accepting. It felt different not seeing himself in Red.

"If you're going to be a leader, you've got to get your head on straight."

They had to be prepare and ready. They still need to form Voltron.

Just because Zarkon was defeated doesn't mean the Empire was destroyed. Allura mentioned how Haggar survived. If the witch survived, then the Empire can't be destroyed. An Altean. But did the witch had that much power to control the Empire fleet? No, it can't be. There must be someone with much authority like Zarkon to lead. Who was it? Does he have an heir that they didn't heard of? He will need to ask Kolivan if he had any information about it. He had a suspicion that they were being observed in battles, but he cannot get the chill feeling that he was especially being watch. It creep him out.

Allura mentioned from their last bonding session with the others about Haggar, but both her and Coran were stumped of who would be to lead. They have been asleep for 10,000 years so their knowledge are quite limited and outdated. But they cannot make their move until they are able to form Voltron.

So far, it has been several fails where they had to make many jumps to get away from the Galra fleets. It was a miracle that they didn't have to deal with any Robeasts, but even without it, they were not at their full strength.

They cannot let their enemy know about Shiro's disappearance nor the idea that they can't form Voltron with the pilot change-ups.

The only person Keith had to deal most was Lance. For a guy who enjoyed putting some green goop on his face before bed and flirting with any pretty girls in sight, he was the most insecure person.

He had to pilot Red. He wasn't happy. Blue wasn't happy. So does Keith and Red. But just like Keith with Shiro's words, the Lions had to listen to Black. She was their leader.

Lance.

Keith sighed. He doesn't get the rivalry thing between them. How can Lance think he was rival to him? He was going to ask him next time in private about it. It was ridiculous.

But then again, it made his life a bit more fun. They had their own bonding moment. A certain trust they had when they were together in missions when Shiro was leading. Lance was good with his thinking and his aim. It seems he was dubbed himself as 'Sharpshooter'.

Keith thought it was a stupid nickname when he first heard it, but the more he watched Lance in battles, the more it fits. He's not going to admit to the idiot about it. It will only inflate his ego more.

It took a fist fight, a slap from Allura, Red's ejections, and one big, tearful emotional moment for the whole team to actually bond. With one simple and common goal: to find Shiro (Well two. Can't forget finding Pidge's brother and father too).

And one important promise that Keith will keep as their current leader. A promise to go home. Back to their planet Earth.

Keith's train of thought was interrupted with a call. He sat up while sitting back on his bed and opened the video communication call.

"Keith here. What's up, Coran?"

"Keith!" as Coran just popped up from the corner of the screen. "The repairs and upgrades of the Castles will be complete in one Earth day. These Olkarians are amazing!"

He smiled as Coran continued to chatter away about his past adventures. After several ticks, Coran took one deep breath and looked at Keith.

"So, when do we start?"

That's right. They had to pause their search to repair, maintain, and upgrade the Castle and the Lions after their several run-ins with several Galra fleets before arriving the Olkari planet.

Keith closed his eyes for a short moment before opening up and staring straight at Coran.

"When the repairs are done, we leave immediately."

"Aye aye sir!" with a mock salute from Coran, the communication call ended.

He took a long, deep breath and spun his body over and off of his bed while straightening his clothes. It was time to-

Keith groaned and pinched his nose bridge. There goes my training.

A sudden, deep purr entered his mind. He smiled as he walked towards the door.

"Thanks for informing me Black." as he headed towards her hanger with a grin.

"Let's go find where Red has ejected Lance out this time."

Thank you for reading! 3

Next chapter will be Lance's POV. That one will be a longer chapter.