I just realized, I think I've referenced it a few times, but never actually said it. Both Keith and Lance are ADHD in this.


Pua was surprised when Shay led him back to where the crystal was. He stayed hidden while she approached the sentinels standing guard.

"I have been assigned to move the crystal."

"Take it straight to the collection bay," the sentinel ordered stepping aside.

"Right away." The girl picked up the crystal and lugged it back down the tunnel.

Pua met up with her again once they were clear. He realized what she was doing as they turned down the passage towards the pod. When they reached it, Pua hopped inside and opened the cargo hold.

"There. Now we need only to find Hunk and set him free," Shay said after she set the crystal inside and Pua closed it back up. "They should be in the cells. Come it is this way. We must stay hidden though."

Pua purred an agreement and stuck close to the girl as they snuck through the caves. When they reached the prison hold, they spotted a pair of sentinels guarding the doors.

"We need one to open the cells."

~Right,~ Pua growled. He snuck closer then shifted into his lion form. The flash of light caught the guards attention, but Pua was on them before they could fire. He jumped on one, clawing his chest, before tackling the other. He grabbed it's neck in his jaws and pulled. He didn't have the strength to cut right, but he damaged it enough that the robot stayed down. Her heard the second start to get up, but before he could turn there was a crunching noise. When he did look, it was to see the sentinel's head smashed in and Shay standing over it with a large rock.

~Oh, I like you!~

"We need only a hand," Shay explained, picking up the sentinel and together they ripped it's forearm off. Shay held the hand in front of the panel next to the door and it opened.

The two cautiously crept through the new tunnel until they heard Coran's voice.

"Someone's coming."

They walked up to the cell the Altean and human were held in and Hunk jumped to his feet.

"Pua! Shay?"

Shay used the hand to open the cell and said, "Make haste to your pod. The crystal is prepared for departure."

"How did you get the crystal?" Coran asked.

"I was assigned to take it to the upper levels, but instead I took it down. Soon, they will discover my ruse. Time is short."

Shay moved to run, but Hunk grabbed her shoulder. "Why are you helping us? You'll get in trouble."

"Because your words touched my heart. I wish for freedom for all Balmera. Perhaps your Voltron can make it so."

~We need to go!~ Pua growled and the group started moving.

"Hey Shay, what's with the arm?"

The Balmeran looked down at it, then held it out. "Galra are sneaky. They make their doors so only Galra or Galra energy can open them, both here and on their ships."

"That's… pretty smart. Too bad they're the bad guys."

The group rushed through the caves, only to find an army of sentinels waiting for them.

Shay spotted her brother among them and said, "No. Rax, why?"

"These three bring only trouble to our family. It was the only way to protect you."

Hunk growled and summoned his bayard, but was stopped by Shay.

"No! The Balmera will save us." She set her hand on ground and it glowed.

"Shay, no!" Rax yelled as the Balmera groaned around them. Giant boulders fell from the ceiling, crushing many of the sentinels.

The remaining pushed through the rubble and opened fire. The group tried to dodge, but one managed to catch Shay with a snare.

"Shay!" Hunk yelled, spinning around.

"Go! Make haste!" she called as she was dragged to a trio of the robots.

"Let her go!" he shouted as he moved to run to her rescue

"No, Hunk! We have to go!"

He turned to see more sentinels arriving along with a ship. He jumped into the pod and called out, "I'll come back for you, Shay! I promise!"

Pua jumped in behind him and the windshield formed.

They lifted up. Coran saw the ship blocking one of the cave's entrances and said, "If we can't shake these patrols, we might be back here sooner than we want!" He turned the pod to the other opening and shot through. They shot upwards with the other Galra ships following. "We can't shake them! We're not going to make it!"

Hunk looked around. He spotted the panel in front of him and his finger came up to hover over the booster button.

"Uh, it may turn us into a giant fireball," Coran reminded him nervously.

"Maybe, but it's our only chance."

Coran spotted more Galra ships entering the mining shaft and said, "Fine. Fire in the hole!"

Hunk hit the button. Pua fell backwards as the pod blasted forward. Galra ships were thrown to the side as they shot past, some crashing into the sides of the chasm and exploding. The ship rocked as a result, but still managed to make it out.

Hunk and Coran cheered as they left the Balmera's atmosphere. "We did it!"

~That's it. I'm only ever flying in myself from now on. I finally understand your motion sickness,~ Pua groaned. He slowly rolled to his feet. ~Never again!~

Hunk sent the lion a worried look. "You okay?"

~I need cuddles,~ Pua whined, shifting into house cat form and climbing into Hunk's lap.

Hunk smiled and pulled off the cat's armor to stroke his back.


"Is the castle… purple?" Hunk asked once they'd made it past Arus's clouds.

"That's not good," Coran muttered, hailing the castle.

~I can feel the others. Merla's still hurt, but everyone else feels okay,~ Pua purred, nuzzling under Hunk's chin comfortingly.

"We've been granted access," Coran said.

"Pua doesn't seem too worried," Hunk noted.

"That's a good sign, because right now the castle is reading as a Galra ship."

Hunk whimpered, staring out the window as the approached the castle. Thankfully when they slid into the pod bay, Pidge and Chip were there to greet them.

"Please tell me you got the crystal," she said as soon as they had set down.

"We did, but why's the castle purple," Hunk asked as he jumped out.

"You missed quite the party," Pidge chuckled as she walked around to the Cargo hold. "I'll explain later. Right now, let's get the crystal plugged in."

The five - mostly Chip, Pua, and Hunk - carried the crystal up to the bridge. With Allura's help they quickly got the Galra crystal swapped out for the new one.

"Can we take this?" Pidge asked after Allura gave Keith an update. "I'd like to study it."

"Yeah, how do you think they make it purple? What side effects does it have? How do you think it affects the composition? The energy output? Is it stronger or weaker than a normal crystal?" Hunk agreed, looking over the Galra crystal.

"I don't see why not, as long as you both are careful," Allura said, sending the crystal a disgusted look.

"Sweet! Hunk, could you take it down to Chip's hanger? I've got some gear set up in there already. I need to help Allura with the scans, but I'll meet you down there as soon as we're done."

"Sure!"


Pidge and Hunk yawned as they stumbled into the galley, Chip and Pua sleeping draped over Hunk's shoulders.

"Morning," Hunk greeted. "Any news on Lance or Merla."

"No, but Keith and Blue were with them all night so they'd let us know if something went wrong," Coran said.

"They were there all night?" Pidge questioned.

"We couldn't find it in us to drag them away," Allura said. "You both know how connected you are to your lions. I can't imagine how they feel."

"Ryou and I made sure they had pillows and blankets so they'd sleep. Unlike the two of you, apparently," Shiro said, sending the two and the dark bags under their eyes a disappointed look.

Pidge shrugged, unapologetically. "That crystal was interesting. Rover's keeping an eye on it right now."

Hunk was far more repentant, ducking his head and scratching his neck. "We did get some sleep… a little. A few hours, maybe. I'm going to get some goo."

The team ate their breakfast before heading to the infirmary. When they got there, Keith was leaning against the still sleeping Blue and staring up at the cryo-pods. He stood up when they came in and watched Allura check the control panel. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, they should both be getting out soon," Allura said. She came up to Lance's pod and brought up his information. The other paladins all crowded around her as she checked it.

Pidge pressed her face up against the pod.

"I can't tell if he looks healthy or not," Hunk said.

"I think he's breathing weird," the girl added.

"Oh, come on!" Keith huffed, tapping the glass.

Allura slapped his hand away. "Not yet! A few more ticks."

"How much better do you think he's gonna get in a few more ticks?"

~I want my paladin,~ Blue agreed with a yawn, sleepily nudging Hunk to the side as she pressed forward to look at Lance.

"Woah," Pidge gasped as the tiger slipped beneath her, tossing her onto her back so she could see. Once she steadied herself, the girl glared down at Blue and yanked her ear.

Blue huffed at the pain, but otherwise ignored Pidge.

The girl kicked Blue's foreleg then turned to Allura. "What exactly is a tick?"

"You know, a time slice."

"Like a second?" Shiro asked.

"What is a second?"

Pidge pulled a timer out of her pocket. She started it and held it up. "Like this."

Allura watched the timer. "I'm not sure. I think ticks are bigger. Coran, do you have a ticker?"

The group looked up to Coran and the man held up a device. "Right here, Princess."

Hunk and Pidge came up to see a clock-like design on the device slowly clicking counterclockwise. "I think ticks are a little slower," Hunk said.

Pidge glanced between her timer and the ticker. "I can't tell. We have to start them at the same time."

Everyone crowded around as Coran and Pidge held the devices next to each other.

"Okay. Ready, go!"

"Yes! I think we're winning!" Hunk cheered as the two devices beeped away, the ticker the smallest bit slower than the timer.

"Winning what? The intergalactic time-measuring competition?" Keith snorted.

"Yes."

"You guys having a clock party?"

The group gasped and turned to see Lance standing behind them.

"Aw, Lance, you just ruined it," Hunk groaned. He turned to the boy and blinked. "Hey, Lance!" Chip and Pua hopped off his shoulders as Hunk scooped his friend into a hug before letting the drowsy boy lean on him.

~Lance!~ Blue cheered, taking down both Lance and the unsuspecting Hunk as she jumped on the two. She growled softly, nuzzling all over the boy's face and under his chin.

Lance grunted and patted the tiger before looking up at the others. "What happened?"

Allura stepped forward to answer, but was cut off by a mewl. ~Where's my hugs?~

They turned to see a sleepy kitten padding out of a cryo-pod.

"Merla," Keith sighed, walking over to scoop her up.

Blue gave Lance a lick on the cheek before coming over to sniff Merla. ~It's good to have you back.~

Allura helped Lance and Hunk to their feet and said, "We can tell you all about it while you get something to eat. Are you able to walk?"

Lance gave a smirk. "Talking? Eating? Are you asking me out on a date?"

Hunk and Allura sighed.

"Yep, he's okay," Shiro muttered.

"Yep, there he is," Pidge said.

"Classic," Keith snorted.

Merla chuckled and swatted at Blue's nose. ~You sure know how to pick them.~

Blue just shook her head.

The group helped Lance down to the dining room and Hunk fetched food for both Lance and Merla. The kitten growled at the goop, but allowed Keith to feed it to her. As the two ate, Allura, Hunk, and Pidge caught Lance up.

"Wow. Thanks, everybody. Sounds like the mice did more than you, though."

Keith blinked and looked up from Merla to see Lance staring at him. "What?"

Lance frowned and opened his mouth to repeat it, but blue growled and nosed his arm. ~Stop picking fights.~

~Lance was saying you didn't do anything to help,~ Merla innocently purred.

~Merla!~

Keith frowned and glared at the Blue Paladin. "I punched Sendak!"

Lance was thrown off for a second by the about-face, but quickly recovered. "Yeah, apparently after I emerged from a coma and shot his arm off."

~Pidge was the one who cut his arm off,~ Chip pointed out.

"We had a bonding moment. I cradled you in my arms!"

~Try to keep it hidden, honey we can see right through ya,~ Merla chirped as Lance said, "Nope. Don't remember, didn't happen."

Keith shot his kitten a look and Chip gave a purring laugh.

Lance turned to Allura and asked, "So, what happened to Sendak?"

"He's frozen in a cryo-pod. We're keeping him here in the Castle."

"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?"

"We have to get back to the Balmera and save Shay and her people," Hunk demanded.

"Wow!" Lance gushed. "You are really hung up on this lady."

~Yep,~ Pua agreed.

"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."

~Man up?~ Merla snorted.

Pidge frowned as Shiro called out, "Then let's get moving. Time to go defend the universe."

"Wait," the girl said and the others paused. "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."

Chip purred and nuzzled the girl's side supportingly as she hesitated.

"Just so there are no secrets between us anymore, I can't man up. I'm a girl. 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-"

"B- W-wha-? You're a girl? How?" Lance shouted, cutting Pidge off.

"I've known for some time, but I'm glad you've shared it with everyone."

"Yeah, I figured."

"Oh, yeah, me too."

"Wait, w-we were supposed to think you were a boy?"

"Pidge, owning who you are is going to make you a better paladin."

Pidge sighed in relief. "It's good to get that off my chest. Now, let's launch this Castle-ship!

Lance watched the others run off. "Wait, what? Pidge is a girl and the castle is a ship? How long have I been out?"

Blue licked his hand comfortingly then grabbed the edge of his sleeve and tugged him along after the rest.


Once the Castle had left Arus's atmosphere, the team settled in for the trip. Lance was off to the side, still pouting. Blue was attempting to groom him while making consoling noises. Pidge was fiddling with the screens on her chair with Chip and Hunk watching over her shoulder. Pua was next to them, lying on his back and watching the stars fly by. Keith and Merla were sitting in his chair, the cheetah on his lap as he combed his fingers through her fur. Ryou had perched on Shiro's chair and was watching his paladin and the Alteans plan.

As Keith fidgeted, something occurred to him and he glanced over at the Green Paladin. "Pidge?"

The girl hummed and tilted her head towards Keith without looking away from the screens.

"What… I mean… Should we still, you know, call you Pidge?"

The Alteans, Hunk, and Lance gave him confused stares, while Shiro turned to Pidge, curious.

The girl flushed and looked up. "I- Y-yeah. I mean, it's not my real name, that's Katie, but you guys can still call me Pidge. I've kinda gotten used to it, like a nickname."

Keith nodded and focused back on fiddling with Merla's fur. Likewise, Shiro smiled and turned back to the still bemused Alteans.

"Wait, Pidge isn't your real name? Since when?" Lance shouted before glaring at the others. "Am I the least to know this too?"

"I knew her name," Shiro offered apologetically.

"Matt always talked about her," Keith agreed. "Not always in the best light."

He met Pidge's eyes and she snorted. "He told you about the crater, didn't he."

"Yup."

"Why am I trying to save him again?"

"It's not that bad. You should hear about the time Shiro ate-"

"Horse."

At Shiro's hissed word, Keith immediately blushed and said, "So did anyone else know about Pidge's name?"

Hunk held up his hand. "I didn't, but what was that about Shi-"

"Allura, Coran, what about you."

"No. I'm actually quite curious on why she would need a false name and was pretending to be a man," Allura responded.

"I'm curious as well. I'd also like to know what a horse is and why-"

"See Lance, you weren't the only one that didn't know. Moving on?"

Pidge, much like Ryou and Merla, laughed at Keith's scrambling while her own cat and Shiro watched in amusement. She took pitty on the Red Paladin - mostly because she was ninety-five percent sure Matt had already relayed the story to her though he'd never given names - and turned to Lance. "Speaking of being the last to know: when were you planning on giving Chip her armor? We could have used it in the fight against Sendak."

Lance's eyes widened, then he glared at Keith. "You told hi-her?"

Keith glared back at him, but Hunk spoke up. "Actually that was me. Pua wore his when we left to get the crystal. It looked really good by the way."

"What's this about armor?" Coran asked.


"Wow! You did all this by yourself?"

Chip, Ryou, Blue, and Pua stood towards the middle of the bridge in full armor. Chip and Ryou's were painted much like the others, though Ryou had wings painted on his back in red, blue, and silver.

"Aw! They look like mini Voltron Lions!" Allura cooed from her spot piloting the ship.

"Ryou's wings look like bird wings and Chip's missing her shield. But yeah, they look great," Pidge agreed from where she and Shiro were kneeling next to their cats. "Where'd you find the paint? And how'd you get the voltron symbols to glow like that?"

Lance smiled, off to the side with Hunk and an armful of red and white armor. "Coran told me where to find it."

"I thought he just wanted to paint his room or something," the Altean pipped in.

"And the glow was a special mixture Hunk helped me with."

"Well they look great," Shiro said. He looked up at Keith and asked, "Isn't Merla going to put on hers?"

The cheetah hissed at him.

"Maybe when we get closer to the Balmera."

She growled.

"You're going to wear it."

Shiro watched curious as Keith fell into a whispered, one sided conversation with the cat.

"I agree, it's wonderful!"

"Not as wonderful as you, Princess."

Shiro gave Lance unimpressed look. "Alright. We're done now."


An announcement: the next chapter of this story will be out next week as usual, but if you'd like to read it before that, it's already up on my new Pat/reon (The link is on my profile, or you can just look up Reid Tag). It's only one dollar to access it and a sneak peak of the following chapter so check it out if you can. On top of that, you can also find commissions, a special story just for patrons, a sneak peak at another upcoming work, and a poll about what story I should work on next alongside this one.

Either way, thanks for the support!