Special Thanks to bookmaniac849, CrazyRedmanelion, WolvesRock14, TeenTitansFanForever02, Green Giant Uranus, kelli n c, Selena Snow, feelzyfeelz, TooEasilyDistracted, Alkirian, Gravtron1, HiImDelta (I have taken your prompt and run with it! I need to finish this arc, do one more chapter after it, and then it will be your prompt. But it is written and ready!), ForTheLuvOfPidge, Kinzichi, GriffonSpade, rainbowrider1290, Bokettocos (your review of Chapter 1), Guest, SmolBirdy5, katiewinchester87, marmoreal (I'd bake you cookies and send them to you, if I could!), ElectricGreen13, FanGirlOfEveryone, Tairulz, WyldClaw (your review of Chapter 20), NextGen, Kayla05w, (your reviews of chapters 1, 14 and 28), Guest, Guest, Guest, Cait162000, RIPme, Guest (your review of Chapter 9), and bella114892, thank you for your kind reviews. They made my day/month(s)!

Author's Note: Hi, everyone! First off, thank you so much for all the reads, follows, favourites, and reviews. This fic surpassed 500 follows and 500 favourites: Audaciously was my 500th follower and Edogawa-chan was my 500th favouriter! Thank you both! And I thank each and every one of you readers from the bottom of my heart. Second, congratulations to CrazyRedmanelion for being the 800th review! *throws virtual confetti* I am beyond reeling, guys! Your reviews really help keep this story going, and I love how much you love what I'm doing. Hugs all around! Third, I am aware that FFnet had some major problems on the day I last updated this story, August 20. If this doesn't look familiar -

"Green woke up with the planet's animals' morning calls. Bounding out of bed, she leaned out of her window to breathe in the fresh, forest air. Something chittered nearby and was answered from farther away. Just visible through the canopy, the black sky was brightening to navy. Her palms itched strangely and she had the urge to climb up and see the sunrise fully. Her Paladin was a good climber, but Green had never climbed anything before. Except the stairs yesterday. And that hadn't gone so well."

- please read Chapter 28! You didn't miss much plot-wise, but Green had some wonderful bonding time with Shiro, Lance, and Keith, and Team Voltron has returned to the Castle of Lions for some quality time with Pidge. (I apologise to everyone who cried and/or melted at that scene. I am so sorry, but I'm glad you liked it.)

I think that's everything I wanted to say, so onward with the story! Also, Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians!

Chapter 29: Switched, Part V

Pidge had never been happier. Lying on her belly with her paws tucked in, she cast her sensor net around to ensure everyone was safe: all five heartbeats were steady; all five sets of lungs worked; all five bodies lounging on or around her were intact, a couple half-nearing dozing off.

And then Lance spoke. "You know what? We should let Pidge out."

Pidge's head snapped up at the remark. What? Out? Like…outside?

"If we do, we should let all the Lions out," said Shiro. He lay propped against Pidge's side, her tail draped over his lap. "Let them all enjoy the sunshine."

"Can the Lions even feel the sunshine?" asked Hunk from his spot against Pidge's left front paw.

"Who cares? Let's go!" Lance slid off the paw Hunk leaned against, and landed on his feet. "Hey, Green?"

"Yes, Blue's Lance?"

Blue's Lance. Pidge smiled at the title. She really had to admire how Green had maintained the Lions' claim of the Paladins while still being personable. It was cute.

"I think Pidge could do with some fresh air," Lance explained.

"Ah." Green sat up from between Pidge's front paws. "Well, if the Lions choose to, a Paladin is unnecessary for a short excursion, especially if they're just stepping outside."

"Wait, really?" Shiro asked.

"Cool!" said Hunk.

Pidge carefully rose to her paws, her long tail sweeping back and forth. Yes, yes, please! I want to go outside! I want to see Japra! I want to see Shola and Cheychi and Churei! I want to see sunshine! Please, Green?

"Very well, my Paladin!" Green said with a laugh, and got up. "Now. If Green remembers correctly, the button for the hangar doors is right…here!" She pressed a button on the wall and the massive bay doors slid open, letting in a brisk breeze and streaming sunlight.

Pidge bounced on her toes, having a care for the tiny humans scattered around her. As soon as the doors were open wide enough, she charged, darting through the opening and out into Japra.

A meadow! she exclaimed happily. Absently, she rapidly categorised everything within her three-mile sensor radius. Anything poisonous? There was a bunch of suspicious, mushroom-like fungi growing in the shade of some dense undergrowth two miles north. Anything venomous? A small flock of birds that had teeth and some special glands roosted half a mile to the east, but they ate insects and a bite from one of the birds would maybe only give a human Lance's size a mild headache. The forest that encircled the meadow was huge, stretching in all directions further than her sensors could reach. In the distance, she saw the trees that were taller than most hills back home. There was grass under her paws, a babbling brook nearby, and flowers blooming in clumps along the banks. There were no Chrii to be seen, but that was all right. She could say hello later.

And the sun! The sunshine warmed the sensors in her panelling, making it feel like she had skin again. It felt wonderful…

/Green's Paladin? What are you doing?/ Yellow's concern wafted through Pidge's cortex, no doubt in response to Pidge's inexplicable bliss.

/Sunbathing,/ Pidge replied, lying down and rolling onto her back. She was too big and too heavily-armoured for the grass to tickle her. Nevertheless, she enjoyed it. It was so much better than the hard metal floor of her hangar.

My Paladin is happy, Green said with a distinct purr in her voice.

I've missed this, said Pidge. Her paws dangled in the air, her tail sweeping slowly over the grass, and she let the sun warm her belly. And there's no way I can get sunburned now!

Green is happy you are happy, my Paladin.

/Green's Paladin, we are coming to join you outside,/ Black said.

/Awesome./ Pidge still lay on her back, but she tilted her head to watch the Lions round the Castle's corners, coming from their respective hangars. Their happiness at being out and about, without walls to separate them, was almost tangible.

Then Red spotted Green standing beside Shiro and fumbled to a halt so quickly that Yellow stepped on her.

/Sorry, Red,/ Yellow apologised quickly. When no response was forthcoming, she said, /Red? What's the matter?/

/Green Sister,/ Red replied simply, staring.

Black, Blue and Yellow's heads snapped up, looking to where their Pride Sister stood: so small, so fragile, and so mortal.

It was Black who moved first. With cautious steps, she closed distance with her Pride Sister.

When Green spotted Black coming towards her, she stiffened. When Black crouched scant feet away, Pidge felt that tiny heart pound.

/Easy, Black,/ Pidge urged. /You're scaring her./

Concern and shame warred with each other down the Pride bond, and Black shuffled backwards, putting an infinitesimal (to a Lion) amount of distance between Lion and human-mortal-Lion. Then Black said so quietly, /Green's Paladin, please relay Black's heart-thoughts to Green Sister./

Sitting up, Pidge was alert and wary. /Okay,/ she hedged, and she widened her bond with Green.

Pidge braced herself for a hurricane of emotion. This was the Black Lion, after all, Guardian Spirit of Air. She was ferocious in her love for her Pride, and Pidge knew she missed Green fiercely. To her amazement, however, Black purred softly. The gentle sound vibrated through the ground and air, and down Pidge's bond to Green. A wafting breeze rather than a hurricane.

/My Green Sister,/ Black purred. /Black misses you./

Pidge channelled these words down her bond and felt a sting of tears that didn't belong to her when Green scrambled forward, ran the few steps that separated them, and fell on Black's nose. Like Pidge before, Black nuzzled her, being so careful.

Thunderous purrs rumbled through the meadow: Blue, Red and Yellow neared and lay down beside their Pride Leader, reaching for Green who reached for them with tiny, fragile hands.

"My Sisters, my Sisters," Green wept, draping herself over Black's nose and stroking Red's at the same time. "Green misses you."

Pidge looked away, allowing them what privacy she could, but it wasn't much since the Lions and Green were all in her head and she was the bridge between them. She lay down once more and tried to focus on the warm sun on her panels, while half of her cortex kept a lookout for Green and for whatever else the Lions wanted to say to their Sister.

-:-:-:-

Green sniffed and wiped her eyes on her sleeve as Black and Red retreated to let Blue and Yellow nearer. A tiny part of her, the part that was infused with the human body's cells, brain and ingrained instincts, warned her that she was an insect beneath massive paws and jaws, that she currently cuddled with weapons of mass destruction. The other part of her – the quintessence of her Lion self and her spirit – squashed the horrifying feeling and let her hug her Sisters who purred at her in return and nuzzled her gently; they understood how fragile she was now.

They pulled away after several long moments and Green wiped her eyes again. "It is good to see you, Sisters," she said.

They rumbled a purr, her Paladin guiding their words to her: All will be right again soon. Fear not, Sister.

"Then you should not fear either," Green replied firmly. "Green is as safe as possible." She levelled a stare at Black who grumbled and shuffled her front paws awkwardly. She knew that her Sisters knew they had done wrong when they had panicked at Green getting hurt earlier today, and she let them know that she knew. All four heads fell low, apology in every line of their bodies. She smiled and reached forward and up to rub Yellow's great chin. "All will be right again soon," she whispered. "Have no fear for Green."

Pride Voltron will try, Black promised.

Try not. Do or do not. There is no try, her Paladin interjected absently.

Green grinned wide while her Pride Sisters all looked over their shoulders to cast a withering look at her Paladin who lay in the grass. She flicked her tail, either unaware of or ignoring the Lions, preferring to put her attention towards the sun and fresh air.

Green snickered, gave Blue one last pat, and said, "Green will go now. Enjoy the sunshine." She walked away, letting her Paladin enjoy herself for the time being, and the Paladins fell into step around her as she re-entered the Castle's foyer.

"Is everything okay, Green?" Black's Shiro asked politely.

"Yes, Black's Shiro. Thank you." She smiled up at him. "My Sisters required comfort. They were very much frightened by today's events."

"And the day's not even over," Yellow's Hunk observed quietly.

Green canted her head in thought. It was late afternoon, but because of the season and their location, sunset was still some hours away. What could she do in that time?

"Maybe you should lie down for a bit?" Blue's Lance suggested. "Take a nap before supper."

"I feel like taking a nap," mumbled Red's Keith. As if to prove it, he yawned, showing off unimpressive, human-mortal teeth.

Black's Shiro clapped a hand to his shoulder, smiling, and said, "See you in a couple hours, then."

Dismissed, Red's Keith trotted off. Yellow's Hunk veered away to the kitchen for a snack while Black's Shiro headed for the training deck. Green shook her head. Black's Shiro trained hard – too hard, sometimes.

Now it was just Blue's Lance and Green in the middle of the foyer. She fiddled with the hem of her tunic. She could not remember how to get to her Paladin's room from here and she didn't want to disturb her Paladin, nor did she want to ask help from Blue's Lance who had already been so helpful so far. Then again…he had told her to speak up when she needed something…

She took a deep breath, steeling herself, and spoke: "Blue's Lance? Green doesn't remember how to get to my Paladin's bedroom from here."

He blinked at her, taken by surprise, and then smiled. "I can show you the way. Come on." He started walking, his long legs carrying him swiftly away.

Green trotted to keep up. "Thank you, Blue's Lance."

"Sure thing, Green."

They covered a few corridors in silence, but Green caught him glancing at her sidelong every so often. Something was clearly on his mind.

"Is something the matter?" she encouraged gently when she caught him looking at her again.

He took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. "Earlier," he said, "you said you thought that Allura was upset with you. Why?"

Oh. Green looked down, her face heating. "Her Highness doesn't look at Green anymore," she answered quietly. "She was brusque in the infirmary and coolly polite in the common hall. Green thinks Her Highness is disappointed because Green got hurt today."

He frowned. "Have you talked to her?"

Green fidgeted with the hem of her tunic and said nothing.

"I'll take that as a no. How's about I talk to her?"

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide. She was sure she had not misheard, but why would Blue's Lance do such a thing for her; he had done so much for her already. "That is a kind offer, but Green doesn't want to be a coward," she said quietly.

"You're not a coward. You're trusting your friends to handle this one thing while you deal with a bunch of other things." Blue's Lance smiled at her and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Let me do this thing for you," he said.

Green canted her head. Through the hand on her shoulder, she could feel Blue Sister's compassion swell through her like a stalwart brook that found its way to the sea. Blue had chosen exceedingly well when she had chosen him, for he matched her heart for heart and selflessness for selflessness. While each Lion did her best to find a suitable match, Blue had clearly found the perfect match; and Green, in her human-mortal frame with human-mortal emotions jumbling about in her brain and veins, was slightly jealous of such a pairing. Green loved her Paladin dearly, but there was something extraordinary about Blue and Blue's Paladin, something that could not be explained or quantified.

With those thoughts, Green found herself smiling back up at Blue's Lance, her Sister's treasured heart, who was her Sister made flesh and mortal. "Very well, Blue's Lance," she said at last. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he replied, waving a hand. "Well, here we are."

They stopped outside her Paladin's bedroom and Green put her hand on the scanner to let herself in. "Thank you, Blue's Lance," she said again.

"Sleep tight, Green."

His smile was the last thing she saw before the door closed with a gentle hiss of hydraulics, and then she turned away to the bed, picking her way through the mess of…everything on the floor. She crawled onto the mattress, pleased to find it softer than her nest in her Paladin's cockpit and the bed in Matron Sharya's hall. She snuggled in, pulling the blankets tightly around herself, and fell asleep to the sounds of her own breathing and heartbeat.

-:-:-:-

Lance paused outside the Bridge for a moment, hand hesitating on the palm-pad. He thought back to what Green had said about Allura and wondered if he really should be the one…not confronting but…enquiring about Allura's behaviour. Then again, he had promised Green he would do this for her. She had so much to deal with: new body, human things to learn, being separated mentally and physically from her Sisters, creating relationships with everyone she came in contact with… It was, in every real aspect of the phrase, starting a new life. Lance couldn't help but admire her for being as stalwart as she was. She did her best at everything, and, sure, some things hadn't gone well, like climbing those stairs yesterday and today's playground incident, but Green kept pushing through everything because she knew she needed to. She needed to become familiar with her new body. She had to learn human things to function and be polite. She worked to shield her emotions about being separated from the Lions so that no one would feel bad because of her, which segued into her making friends with…everybody: the paladins, Allura and Coran, and the Chrii. Green really was making astounding progress, considering that the switch had happened barely three days ago. So now, with her admittance to confusion pertaining to Allura's cold shoulder, Lance couldn't help but wonder why. What had Green done wrong to make Allura act so oddly?

He squared his shoulders. He was going to find out. After all, he never broke a promise.

Palm met scanner and the doors swooshed open. Allura and Coran were still there, Coran at his console while Allura peered over his shoulder. Both looked up when Lance entered.

"Ah, Lance, my boy. How is Pidge?" Coran said by way of greeting.

Lance crossed the deck and smiled at the easy question. "She's fine. We let her and the Lions out of their hangars to enjoy some sunshine. Green also said hello to her Sisters."

Allura nodded absently. "Yes. We watched on the monitors. I was unaware that they could move about without a paladin."

"Yeah, but Green said they could, within limits, so…" Lance shrugged, fighting to stay casual. "Um, say, Allura, could I, um, talk to you for a second?"

"Only a second?" Allura teased with a smile. "That's barely a tick, you know."

Lance rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh, yeah. I know. Um. I don't think it'll take long."

His nervousness caught their attention. Both straightened, though Coran's console still whirred gently as it did whatever it was doing – probably running long-range scans for Galran fleets.

"What's the matter?" Allura's eyes sharpened a fraction, though she still smiled congenially.

Lance tried not to gulp. She was beautiful and amazing and kicked butt, but there was something about looking into Allura's eyes that made him think she could see his soul. It was massively intimidating. "Nothing major," he managed to say without squeaking. "Just, uh, Green mentioned something that I thought I'd ask you about."

"Oh?" she encouraged.

Coran turned away, suddenly intensely focussed on the keyboard and holoscreen in front of him.

Allura stepped away, guiding Lance with a hand to the other side of the Bridge.

Lance took a deep breath, rallying his courage, and was surprised to hear Blue purr in his ear. Be calm, my Paladin. Her Highness will be fair.

Thanks, Blue, he thought. "So, uh, Green's kind of concerned that you're angry with her about something," he said out loud.

Those opalescent eyes flashed. "Oh. Did she tell you this?"

Lance nodded. "She mentioned it, among other things. She's got so much to deal with. She kind of just…blurted it all out before we left the Matron's hall. She thinks you're mad at her for getting hurt today."

White brows rose high, her mouth falling open. "She thinks I'm…? Why would she think that?"

"Is it true?" Lance winced as soon as the words were out of his mouth, but Allura flinched, too.

"I am angry, Lance," she admitted. "But I am not angry with her. I'm angry with myself."

"Yourself?" he echoed. "Why?"

Allura folded her hands in front of her. Her head bowed and her gaze fell to the floor. "Because I am your guardian. I am responsible for the well-being of all the paladins. Green got hurt today and so I failed in my responsibility to her."

"But…that was an accident!" Lance blurted. "It wasn't anyone's fault."

"Regardless, I should have –"

"No." Lance laid a gentle hand on her arm, though his tone was firm. "No, Allura. You couldn't have done anything. There was nothing to do because it was an accident. The only way it could have been prevented was by locking us all up in our rooms, and that would've sucked because we all wanted to explore. Green wanted to explore. She's so like Pidge that it's scary. She's curious about everything and wants to learn and find out about everything, and it was so great to see her play with Keith. You know how scary this has to be for her – for both her and Pidge – but she was smiling today, and there was nothing pretentious about it."

He squeezed her arm. "I know this is scary for you, too. It's scary for us all. But we can't blame ourselves for stuff that's out of our control. Green blames no one for what happened today, but she thinks she did something wrong and she doesn't know that it's not her fault you're upset."

He stopped there, breathing hard and trembling because he had never, ever had to talk to Allura like this. He hoped he hadn't overstepped…

"You're right." Allura's soft voice interrupted his anxious thoughts. "You're right, Lance. This is scary, and I am very much frightened for the Green Lion and Pidge, both. I…I overreacted today. I didn't mean to hurt Green's feelings." She looked up at him, then, her eyes over-bright but not shedding the tears gathering there. She blinked twice and the tears were gone. She smiled at him. "Thank you, Lance. Your words were compassionate and brave. Now I, too, must be brave and apologise to Green."

Lance nodded and stepped away, tucking his arms around himself. "She's sleeping right now, so it'll have to wait," he said.

Allura inclined her head. "Thank you. Was there anything else you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Not really. That was pretty much it." He moved with her as she slowly made her way back over to Coran. "Uh, how are those scans going?"

"No sign of Galran activity in this system, as far as I can tell," Coran piped up from his station.

"Good. That's good. Well." Lance rubbed his neck. "I think I'll, uh, go get a snack."

"I believe Hunk has prepared an early supper that is nearly ready." Coran tilted his head to one of the monitors. Sure enough, there was Hunk in the kitchen, the island full of steaming plates and covered dishes.

Lance's stomach snarled at the sight and Allura smiled while Coran chuckled.

"Go get some food, my boy."

Lance didn't need telling twice. With a two-fingered salute, he sauntered out the door.

That, he thought as he headed for the kitchen, went better than I thought it would.

Told you so, said Blue.

I never doubted you, he answered.

But my Paladin still worried.

Hey! I'm allowed to worry.

Of course. Such a thing is common among mortal creatures.

Like you don't worry?

There was a quiet pause before Blue said, Yes. Blue worries. This is… This is scary for Pride Voltron, too.

Lance had nothing to say to that. He hoped that this Chara fellow was found quickly. He hoped he could switch Green and Pidge back.

Hope is a good thing to hold onto, Blue said. Blue will take my Paladin's hope and make it Blue's.

Don't forget to share with your Sisters and Pidge, Lance couldn't help but tease.

But Blue's reply was far from teased. She was confident and sure as she said, But of course. Hope is meant to be shared.

-:-:-:-

Green woke up when her stomach grumbled. She groaned, rolling over, and pulled the blankets higher over her shoulders. She wanted to sleep some more. When her belly growled more loudly, she gave up on the hope of more sleep. At least her headache was gone. She left the room, running her fingers through her hair and fluffing it out a bit as she walked towards the kitchen. She almost took a wrong turn, but the smell of hot food corrected her in time and she followed the delicious scents to the dining room.

Everyone was already there.

"Ah, Green! Join us," Her Highness greeted her warmly and waved her over. "How was your nap?"

Green nearly balked at the sudden turn-about in Her Highness's behaviour, but she replied politely. "It was wonderful, thank you, Your Highness. Green has decided that sleep is a wonderful thing." She sat down amidst smiles and chuckles.

"Here, Green." Yellow's Hunk passed her a clean plate and cutlery and pushed various dishes towards her.

"Thank you, Yellow's Hunk." She grinned at him, happy to see him grin back, and selected what she wanted.

Conversation fluttered sporadically around the table, but Green focussed on eating for a few doboshes until Blue's Lance spoke up from across the table. "How's your headache, Green?"

Green was distinctly aware of the others' surprised looks and said, before anyone else could comment, "Much better now. Thank you, Blue's Lance. My Paladin speculated earlier that, though Shurr had healed Green's concussion, stress is a possible main factor. The nap helped decrease the stress immensely."

"That's good. Naps truly are a wonderful thing," Blue's Lance said with a sagely nod.

It was then that Black's Shiro inputted softly from Green's other side. "Green, I know that the past few days have been hard for everybody, most of all you, and I know I speak for everyone here when I say how great you've been in handling this, but you don't have to burden this alone because you're not alone. We're here to support you, too. I'm sorry it's taken this long to say it."

Green was silent, stunned by the heartfelt sincerity and the pledge itself. Then again, this was Black's Shiro, the pilot for the Head of Voltron, the leader. It stood to reason that he would be the one to voice the rallying cry of support from the team as a whole. That it was for her forced Green to ignore the slight ache in her chest that, yes, this was a little late in coming, but Black's Shiro said it now, and everyone was nodding at her, including Her Highness.

"Thank you, Black's Shiro," she said. "My Paladin has been thriving with Pride Voltron. It will be a joy and an honour to do the same with Team Voltron. But Green knows that Green has support. Each of you in your own way provides the assistance Green needs, whether Green asks for it or not." She smiled at Red's Keith, Yellow's Hunk, Blue's Lance, and Black's Shiro, her moments with each of them forefront in her mind.

Red's Keith and Yellow's Hunk both reddened and looked down bashfully while Blue's Lance and Black's Shiro smiled back.

It wasn't too long later that the meal ended and Black's Shiro took the dishes to the kitchen, Support Commander assisting him. The other Paladins stood, Red's Keith pitching the idea of heading to the training deck, and Green stood to go with them, but halted when Her Highness cleared her throat.

"Green, may I have a word with you, please?"

Green froze, feeling her heart pound in her chest. She glanced to Blue's Lance and it was like he knew she would because he was already watching her. The confidence and surety in his gaze were staggering as he flicked his eyes to Her Highness and then back to her and nodded, a small dip of his chin.

Blue's Lance had spoken to Her Highness. The impending conversation was a result, and Blue's Lance was confident that all would be well.

Green returned her gaze to Her Highness and nodded. "Of course, Your Highness."

"We'll wait for you outside, Green," Blue's Lance said as he ushered the others out the door.

Green waved a hand to let him know she had heard and turned her full attention to Her Highness. She remained standing, pushed in her chair and waited.

Her Highness clasped her hands in front of her and took a deep breath. "It has come to my attention that I owe you an apology, Green Lion," she began. "Lance informed me of some things you had discussed with him, and I want to tell you how sorry I am that I have inadvertently hurt your feelings. I am and never was angry with you concerning today's incident."

Green watched her carefully and said nothing, noting her body language and tone of voice. Both were contrite and ashamed and genuine.

"I am also sorry that I was blind to your hurt and the added stress I caused you in an already-stressful situation," Her Highness continued. "I should have known better and I regret my inability." Her earnest gaze dropped to the floor. "I formally apologise for failing in my responsibility to you in protecting you today and in hurting you as I have."

Something twinged in Green's chest, an ache that sharpened before fading slightly. Her Paladin offered no insight into the feeling and so Green gave it her best shot. Closing distance, she laid her small hand on Her Highness's arm. "Green does not wish for a formal apology," she said. "Green, however, will accept the apology of a friend."

Her Highness's eyes snapped up to meet hers and Green smiled at her. "Be at ease, Your Highness. Green thanks you for your apology and sincere will to do better. All is well."

"Thank you, Green," Her Highness said, a breath of relief marring the words. "Thank you."

Green patted her arm. "Was there anything else Your Highness wished to discuss?" she asked.

"No, Green. That was all." She smiled at her. "Thank you."

Green inclined her head, ignoring another short jab through her chest. "Of course. Would Your Highness like to come to the training deck with us?"

"That'd be wonderful."

She turned and Her Highness walked with her out of the dining room. Blue's Lance, Yellow's Hunk and Red's Keith awaited them. Blue's Lance grinned when he saw them.

"All's well, eh?" he asked with a teasing wink.

Green nodded. "All is well," she replied and she returned the wink with one of her own, which made him grin wider.

"Come along, then," Her Highness said with a sweeping gesture. "Green, how would you like to try some of the exercises the Paladins do?"

"Green has always wanted to try the maze," Green answered immediately.

Yellow's Hunk laughed while Blue's Lance groaned. Even Red's Keith permitted himself a small smirk.

They started walking and Green was excited, trotting to keep up with the long-legged mortals, when yet another sharp pain ripped through her chest. Sharper than the previous two, she staggered, clutching her chest, and a gasp escaped her.

"Green?" at least four voices asked.

"Green has the most awful feeling," she managed to say. What was this? It felt like her heart was being ripped out by unknown hands. "Something is terribly wrong."

"What's wrong? Are you sick?"

Green shook her head and something bubbled up from her belly, clawing its way up her throat. She swallowed instinctively and it returned to her belly. Her heart, hammering against her ribs, suddenly stuttered and she felt it when, instead of blood rushing to her face in embarrassment, the blood drained from her face in horror. "My Paladin is in danger."

"Pidge is sunbathing with the other Lions," said Her Highness. "She's fine."

"She's not, she's not. Your Highness, please…"

"Green, calm down. Tell us what's happening –"

A roar interrupted Blue's Lance. The sound shook the whole Castle and Green knew who it was when Black's Shiro burst from the kitchen as ashen-faced as she felt. Yet his eyes – pupil, iris and sclera – were a glowing and burning gold as he shouted words that were not his: "Green's Paladin isn't responding! Her quintessence levels are plummeting! We must get her back in the Castle now!"

Green didn't see Blue's Lance and Yellow's Hunk take off after Black's Shiro who had raced down the hall. She stumbled, collapsing into someone's arms. "The Castle recharges Pride Voltron," she whispered. "The Castle is safe."

Her Highness stammered on the sudden conclusion, saying, "Pidge's quintessence isn't sufficient to maintain the Lion."

"She's been automatically recharging since the switch," Red's Keith added. He sounded closest. Was he the one holding Green? "Except for the first fifteen minutes, she hasn't left the Castle."

"She probably didn't even notice her depleting energy reserves," Her Highness said, half to herself.

"My Paladin, my Paladin." Tears poured down Green's face. "She doesn't answer. She is barely present. My Paladin, please…" That awful something in her stomach clawed back up her throat and expelled out of her mouth in an awful mess

Red's Keith swept her hair back from her face with one hand, the other supporting her around her waist, and gently half-carried her away from the bile on the floor. "Easy, Green. Easy. Shiro and the others will get Pidge back to her hangar. She'll be all right."

Green could say nothing coherent, whimpers and whines falling out of her mouth, and a keen rising in the back of her throat. She hung in his arms, unable to stand, and didn't notice when Support Commander arrived, a bio-scanner and something else in his hands. She did, however, catch a gentle murmur of "I'm sorry, Green" before something warm punctured her fragile skin.

My Paladin! Green keened as darkness consumed her.

-:-:-:-

Pidge came online slowly, her sensors sluggish. She was back in her hangar and lay on her side. When had that happened? What had happened?

/Green's Paladin? Are you awake now?/

Pidge took a couple more seconds to orient herself before replying. /Yeah? Blue, what happened?/ Man, even her mental voice sounded raspy and weak.

/Pride Voltron and Team Voltron discovered mortal quintessence is insufficient to maintain a Lion without adequate and constant charging. Green's Paladin nearly perished,/ Blue said quietly, horror and residual panic leaking through the Pride bond.

Pidge's thoughts skittered away from that awful revelation and instead, she ventured outward. Green? Green, are you there?

There was no conscious response, but Pidge knew her Lion was present and alive.

/What happened?/ she asked again, though the Lions knew she wasn't asking for solely herself now.

/Support Commander had to sedate our Green Sister,/ Black replied, her massive presence sweeping in. /She panicked when we discovered you were dying./

Was that wise after a concussion, healed though it presumably was? Altean medicine was so different from human medicine. She had seen the cryo pods work wonders – had experienced those wonders firsthand – and even though Green was in a human body, would she react differently? Her logical cortex deemed it exceedingly unlikely, but Pidge couldn't help but worry.

/Is she… Will she be all right?/

Black answered, /Support Commander assured our Paladins that Green will be all right. The sedation will wear of within the next few doboshes, and his biological scan picked up no adverse effects from Green Sister's earlier injury. She will be all right. Are you all right, Green's Paladin?/

/I…I don't really know. I feel…weak. It feels so strange…/

/You are still recharging. The Castle of Lions recharges Pride Voltron's power – our quintessence./

Pidge understood in an instant; Allura had mentioned something months ago. /How long was I outside for?/

/Not even a pawful of vargas,/ Yellow answered gently. /Green's Paladin was not even actively using energy. Pride Voltron has calculated that, in the event of a battle or the need to form Voltron, you would be at serious risk within a few doboshes./

Minutes. Pidge could operate at battle capacity for only a few minutes before…

/What must I do?/

/Recharge,/ was the gentle command. /All is well at the moment./

Pidge hummed an agreement and then thought of something else. /How'd I get back in my hangar?/

/My Paladin rallied Blue's and Yellow's Paladins to assist Green's Paladin,/ said Black.

Pidge canted her head physically and mentally. There was something off in that sentence. It wasn't its deliverance – it was true – but Black was…trying to…hide something?

/Black?/ Pidge ventured. Black and the other Lions had once swept through her own heart and thoughts. Was Pidge capable of doing the same? Was she strong enough? Would Black let her?

Black sighed. It was a weary and ancient sound, like she was too exhausted to deny anything. /Black will show you./

And she did.

Pidge blinked against the onslaught of a foreign memory file, but her cortex accepted the coding and immediately began processing it, playing it out in her mind's eye.

It was a collective file, she realised, because she was looking through Lance's eyes when Green stumbled in the hallway.

"Green has the most awful feeling," Green said in response to the concern. "Something is terribly wrong."

Along with the memory file, there was an accompanying analysis. Like a commentary on a film, it explained in Yellow's voice: /Pride Voltron's attention was captured by the concern we could feel from the Paladins present. We looked through their eyes and recognised Green's pain for what it was, though the human-mortal symptoms were different: a Paladin was dying./

While Green tried to explain on her end, Pride Voltron delved into the Pride bond that connected all five Lions. What they found flung relived horror across all five processors, and Pidge nearly stalled at how low her energy levels were. They were nearly gone.

Black did…something. She projected her quintessence, but instead of outward, like Green had done to save Pidge, she channelled it inward and down her bond to Shiro who was doing the dishes with Coran. Shiro dropped the plate he was holding and its hover capacitor kicked in before it shattered on the floor.

"Shiro?" Coran began to say, but then he fumbled to a halt when Shiro looked at him.

Yellow elaborated in the analysis. /Black Sister converged her quintessence with Black's Paladin's and gained enough control to do what needed to be done. It is a harmless process, but does tend to leave the Paladin exhausted. Black's Paladin sleeps in the infirmary beside Green's Sister as we speak./

Pidge nodded to herself, accepting the outrageous and incredible process unfolding in front of her. She watched through Shiro's eyes as he ran from the kitchen and made his announcement. His voice was his, but the words were not, and Pidge could only imagine what the others were thinking when their eyes widened at the sudden danger.

/They were thinking only of you, Green's Paladin,/ said Yellow. /Black's Paladin's appearance was alarming to them, but they disregarded it in favour of doing what was necessary to save you./

The perspective in the file switched to Red. Keith held Green when she collapsed, whispered halting words that were meant as a comfort but he didn't know what to do or say. When Green threw up, Allura retreated from the mess, but Keith continued to hold her, sidestepping her carefully away. He brushed away the tears that rolled ceaselessly down her cheeks and continued to support her weight against him. Green was in a full and uncontrollable weeping panic, but Keith stayed with her and held onto her because there was little else he could do.

Then Coran arrived. No one, not even the Lions, had noticed his leaving the kitchen, but he approached with a bio-scanner in hand. Several warnings beeped shrilly and, as if prepared for the warnings he had just received, he bade Keith hold Green steady. "I'm sorry, Green," he whispered, and a tear rolled down his cheek as he laid a bright orange patch on Green's neck.

/It is a sedation patch,/ Yellow explained. A tiny file about its medical purpose and usage flashed across Pidge's cortex. She filed it away for later, watching when Green went limp, her breathing evening out at last.

Coran scanned her three times, altering the bio-scanner's settings. It chimed once each time and he sighed. "She'll be all right. Come, Keith. Let's get her to the infirmary. She should be watched in case the sedation wears off early."

The perspective switched a final time, but Pidge didn't look through a Paladin's eyes. She was looking through Black's as she watched Blue and Yellow set her in the hangar. Pidge's Lion body slumped to the floor, completely unresponsive, and no matter how hard Black tried, she could not get a response across the bond. If Pidge had been human, the diagnosis would have been comatose, but Black knew the Castle would and could recharge her. It was just a matter of time. Indeed, within the first few tics of being returned to her hangar, Pidge's quintessence levels inched upward. And on the fringe of her sensor net, Black acknlowedged the presence of the few Chrii who watched the proceedings with wide eyes. They had arrived when Black had roared, but had stayed away when it was clear there was nothing they could do to assist.

/Pride Voltron knew that Green's Paladin would recover,/ Black said quietly, /but Pride Voltron still worried for our Green Paladin../

/I seem to be doing that a lot lately,/ Pidge muttered. /I'm sorry./

/Don't be,/ said Red. /We were unaware of the potential danger of letting you out of the Castle. For that, we apologise. We were also unaware of the real danger you faced until it was almost too late, and for that, we apologise, as well./

Pidge sent forgiveness and acceptance across their bond in a steady wave. How could she be angry when they had saved her? She told them so. /You saved me,/ she said. /Thank you./

Four rumbling purrs echoed through her mind and soul, and Yellow's mental presence butted her head against Pidge's. There were no words necessary, and Pidge basked in the glowing feeling of such love.

-:-:-:-

Shiro awoke slowly, his whole body and mind sluggish as he opened his eyes. He recognised the infirmary's ceiling, glad for the low light that would have blinded him, had it been at full power.

"Welcome back."

Shiro turned his head to the right and found Keith beside him in a chair. He leaned forward, a hand reaching for Shiro's wrist. "How are you feeling?" Keith asked.

"A little scattered. What happened?"

"Well, the short story is that Pidge can't sustain the Lion with her human quintessence and nearly died. It looks like Black took control of you to alert us to the situation and Lance and Hunk helped you put Pidge back in her hangar. You were pretty out of it when Black backed off. And Coran had to sedate Green because she could feel Pidge dying and panicked."

Shiro's eyes widened at that. "Is she okay?"

Keith jerked his chin to Shiro's left and he looked. Green lay in the bed next to his, her eyes closed and her breathing steady and even. A couple of monitors indicated that there were no problems.

Shiro turned back to Keith. "And Pidge?"

"Our Lions are confident that she'll recover. Green's sedation has yet to wear off and I just got a nudge from Red that Pidge came online. Her energy levels are really low, so she's weak right now, but she's okay." Keith smiled, both at him and at the good news he was able to deliver.

Shiro closed his eyes and relaxed. Katie was all right. She would be all right.

It is the truth, Paladin mine, Black purred. Rest. Recover. All is well.

Shiro basked in that knowledge and settled more deeply into his pillows and blankets. Keith scooted his chair a fraction closer and continued to hold his metal wrist. It was a comfort that anchored him, and Shiro relaxed even more.

The door swished open a couple of minutes later, Allura, Coran, Lance and Hunk entering. Cheychi, Churei and Shola walked in, too, but stayed by the door. Shola blinked her four eyes at Shiro and he could tell from halfway across the room how relieved she was. He was pretty sure the Chrii had never seen anything like what had happened before, and he was grateful for their continued support.

"Shiro," Allura said with a smile as she drew to a stop beside Keith, "it's good to see you awake. How do you feel?"

"Better than a few minutes ago," Shiro answered truthfully. "I'm just a bit tired."

"That'll wear off soon," Coran piped up.

"That's good news."

"I have more good news," said Allura. "Matron Sharya sent a transmission a few doboshes ago. Chara has been found and is on his way now with his escort. He'll be at the Matron's hall tomorrow, the day after at the latest."

Shiro blinked, then smiled and opened his mouth.

Someone beat him to it.

"That is good news," said Green.

-:-

Thank you for reading! I'd love to hear what you think. :)