Chapter 22 – Lion Swap
I don't own Voltron Legendary Defender. I'm taking the characters out for a spin.
Allura sat on the center couch in the semi-circle of couches in the lounge. Lance sat on another hugging the knee of the leg he propped on the couch while his other leg hung over the edge. He sighed. "I wish Shiro were here to tell us how to go on without him."
Adam, who sat near Lance mumbled to himself. "I just wish he were here."
Coran's ear twitched as he stood at the open end of the semi-circle. He frowned, but he understood what the human was going through.
Pidge, who sat on a couch opposite Lance with Hunk beside her, leaned forward. "Allura, when we came here, you told me I would fly the Green Lion, and I thought there was no way. But then I found it, and I flew it. And then, Hunk flew the Yellow Lion, and he's not even a pilot. You told everyone who would pilot which lion."
Hunk became animated as he leaned forward. "Yeah, how did you do that? Did we ever find out how you did that?" He turned puppy dog eyes on Allura as he clasped his hands together. "Can you do that now?"
"Sadly, no!" Allura decided it was time to explain how that worked. "When you arrived at the Castle, I instantly recognized the special qualities in each of you. But I don't know how to search the entire universe for a new paladin."
Coran looked up at Keith, who stood leaning against the wall. "Keith, you piloted the Black Lion when you had to save Shiro. Perhaps you're the one."
Lance let go of his knee as he gazed up at the other teen. "Keith would be the worst leader of Voltron,"
Adam jabbed the Blue Paladin in the back with his elbow. "And you think you could do better?"
"Of course, I'd be an awesome leader!"
Adam shook his head, "In your mind."
Pidge perked up as she gazed at Coran. "Yeah, we all have our thing. Keith's the loner. I'm the brain. Hunk's the nice one. Allura's the decision-maker. Adam's the medic. Coran's the wise old guy. And Lance is the goofball."
Lance grinned. "Mm-hmm. Yeah, exactly. Right – Wait a minute." Lance's eyes opened wide, and he turned a blue-eyed glare on Pidge. "I'm not a goofball!" He crossed his arms over his chest and stuck his nose up in the air. "I'm like the cool ninja sharpshooter."
Adam leaned toward Lance. "Sharpshooter, yes, ninja no."
Keith scoffed at Lance while amusement flashed in his eyes. "Are you joking?"
Lance jumped off the couch. "I'm completely serious when I say; I do not want you to lead me anywhere."
Keith's eyes grew as his anger flared. "I don't want to be a leader! That's just what Shiro wanted!" He realized what he said and gazed down at the floor.
Hunk turned around, and an expression of shock flashed on his face. "What are you talking about?"
Keith shook his head. "Nothing."
Pidge gazed at the Red Paladin as she spoke softly. "Shiro wanted you to be his successor, didn't he?"
Lance held up his hand. "Well, I never heard Shiro say that, and how convenient that you're bringing it up now when Shiro is gone."
Hunk stood up. "Now, now, hang on. I've called the head from the beginning."
Pidge jumped up. "What about me? I picked up on the radio waves that led us to Voltron in the first place."
Adam rose to his feet. "Stop arguing!" He gazed down at the floor for a moment before turning his gaze on the others. "After Takashi came out of the healing pod after fighting the witch on Zarkon's ship, he told me that he wanted—" He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "He wanted Keith to lead Voltron if anything happened to him." He sank back down on the couch and placed his head on his hands.
Coran nodded and placed a hand on Adam's shoulder before turning back to the others. "Even though Shiro wanted Keith to lead, it's not our decision to make. We must allow the lion to decide."
Allura nodded. "Coran is right. We must all present ourselves to the Black Lion to see who will bear this glorious burden."
Coran blinked. "What? You, Princess?"
"My father created Voltron. How can I allow others to risk their lives in battle and not be prepared to do the same myself? I must try it. And Adam and Thace should try also."
Adam raised his head and turned his haunted eyes to hers. "No, I-I can't do that!"
Keith gazed at his brother's fiancée. "You should. Out of everyone here, other than Coran and Thace, you have actual military experience."
Adam sighed as his shoulders slumped.
Everyone gathered in the Black Lion's hangar. Hunk glanced around. "So, who goes first?"
Pidge shrugged. "Should we draw straws?"
Coran blurted out his response. "I have it! I'm thinking of a number between one and fifty! Allura, you go first. Pidge is second and then the others."
Thace nodded. "That's fair."
Lance gasped. "Wait, don't we get to guess the number?"
Coran put his hand on his chest. "But, I already know the number."
Lance sighed. "Allura, just go!"
Adam grabbed Lance by the arm and yanked him close to him. "Stop it! You're acting like an ass!"
Lance yanked his arm out of his cousin's grip. "No, I'm not. I know the Black Lion will choose me."
Adam shook his head. "For our sakes, I hope not. Because you have a lot of growing up to do to be a leader."
Lance shrugged. "Whatever."
Allura exited the Black Lion and frowned. "It's not me."
Pidge entered next. But she exited after a couple of dobashes. "I reserve the right to try again. I just need to check something out."
Hunk entered after her. But he came out of the lion in record time.
Coran gazed at him. "What are you doing? You didn't even try."
"Yes, I did. I sat down."
Coran glared at the Yellow Paladin.
Hunk's eyes grew. "I don't want to leave the Yellow Lion, okay? I mean it's big, it's got this super armor, and it's safe."
Coran shook his head. "But, you called the head."
"Yeah, I know. I wanted to form the head with the Yellow Lion." He sighed as his shoulders slumped. "Fine." Hunk turned and re-entered the Black Lion. He tried, but the lion didn't choose him either.
Pidge re-entered the Black Lion. After a bit, she exited and sighed. "Why did Shiro have to be so tall?"
Thace tried next, but he wasn't chosen either.
Adam trudged up the ramp and into the lion. The cockpit was different than the last time he was here. It seemed warmer and inviting to him. It was comfortable. He imagined seeing Takashi in his armor in the pilot's seat. Adam shook his head. "I want him back so badly I'm seeing things," he muttered. He sat down in the seat and sighed. Inside his head, his mind screamed out his pain. Finally, he stood and exited the lion.
Lance took his turn.
The others stood outside the lion when Pidge asked out loud, "So, how long are we gonna let Lance sit in there."
Hunk nodded. "Yeah, it's been like half a varga."
Lance stormed out of the lion and stormed down the ramp. He ripped his helmet off and tossed it down to the metal plating with a bang. He sat down on it as he crossed his arm over his chest. "It's useless. The Black Lion hates all of us."
Allura gazed at the Red Paladin. "Keith, the Black Lion, hasn't responded to any of us. You have to try."
Keith frowned as he sighed. He turned and placed his helmet over his head and walked up the ramp disappearing inside the Black Lion. Several minutes later, the lion's eyes glowed as it rose to its feet, stood, and roared. It crouched down and lowered the ramp. Keith walked down the ramp and pulled off his helmet, facing the others.
Allura smiled at him. "I'm proud of you, Keith. I wish you were getting the job under better circumstances, but congratulations."
Pidge grinned. "Congratulations, Keith."
Hunk waved. "Yeah, man, ditto."
Keith shook his head. "No, I don't accept this."
Everyone gasped.
Allura took a step forward. "You must. The Black Lion has chosen you."
Keith shook his head. "I can't replace Shiro! You guys were right. I'm the loner. I'm not the leader Shiro thought I was." He turned his gaze away from them.
Adam poked Lance in the ribs.
Lance nodded his understanding and walked up to the former Red Paladin and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Keith, no one can replace Shiro. But the Black Lion wouldn't choose anybody it didn't feel was worthy of leading Voltron. I respect its choice. And you should too."
Keith turned and gazed at the Black Lion. "But who's gonna fly the Red Lion?"
Adam groaned. "No way. I'm not trying again."
Lance chuckled. "Chicken."
Adam shook his head. "No, I don't have the temperament."
Allura joined everyone in the lounge. Her eyes were a little red-rimmed as if she'd cried. She frowned as she gazed down at the ground.
Coran was the first to speak. "I'm sorry, Princess. I know how much you wanted to pilot the Red Lion."
She flashed a quick smile in his direction. "I'm fine. Let's move on. We must find a new paladin again."
Pidge shook her head as Allura and Coran sat down on the couch. "A new paladin? I mean, where would we start looking?"
Lance smirked. "Well, I vote for getting some alien diversity on the team, and I know some cool mermaids who could be good at it."
Hunk bumped his elbow against Lance's arm. "You just want to see them again."
Lance grinned. "You got that right."
Hunk gazed up toward the ceiling before a thought came to mind. He focused on Allura. "How about Thace?"
Pidge perked up. "Or the Olkari."
Their ideas were interrupted when the viewscreen in the lounge came to life, revealing the Puigian leader. "Voltron, we need your help. The Galrans have returned. Once you left, we were defenseless. My people are trying to hold out, but the Galra are too powerful."
Allura stood up. "The Lions are on their way. Hold your ground and protect your people until we arrive. Volton stands with you."
Thace turned to Allura. I'll contact Kolivan and see if we have any agents in the area who can help."
Allura nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Thace."
Adam followed Allura and Coran to the bridge. He took his seat at his station.
Keith went to his usual spot to pilot the Red Lion. As the door opened, Allura called out to him. "Keith. The Black Lion has chosen you. You can do this."
He closed his eyes and nodded but walked to Shiro's usual spot. He turned around and glanced at Adam.
"Good luck," Adam said. He stood up and saluted.
Keith returned the salute then turned back around, and the floor beneath him began to lower, and the former Red Paladin disappeared.
Keith's voice echoed through the Castle. "Lance, where are you?"
Adam groaned. What game was his cousin playing at now?
In answer, Lance replied, "My lions not responding to me."
Keith replied. "Well, figure it out and catch up with us as soon as you can."
Adam gazed at the reading. He was picking up a signature on a ship he'd never seen before. "Keith, something is coming out of hyperspace in front of you!"
Thace gasped. "It can't be!"
Adam gazed at the Blade of Marmora member. "What's going on?"
"That ship, I recognize it. That's Prince Lotor's ship. Zarkon's son."
Adam's eyes grew. "Zarkon's son?"
"Yes, though not as evil as Zarkon," Thace replied. "He's not to be trusted."
Allura stared at the screen as fighters swarmed the three lions. "Coran, we have to get there immediately. Lance, we need you. The lions are being attacked!"
Lance's reply came back excited but almost panicked. "I'm trying!"
Allura glanced over her shoulder at Coran. "I'm going to see what's keeping him."
Adam rose from his station. "I'll go with you. If he's playing around, he's going to get it!"
The pair joined Lance in the Blue Lion's hangar. Allura asked him. "What's wrong?"
Lance rubbed the back of his head. "I don't know. Blue is shutting me out." He gazed down at the deck as he dropped his arm to his side. "Maybe Pidge was right. Maybe I am just a goofball. Not only am I not meant to be the leader, but I also guess-I guess now I'm not even meant to be a paladin."
Adam smacked Lance, not hard but just enough to get his attention. He placed his hands on the Blue Paladin's shoulders. "Will you listen to me for once in your life. Yeah, you can be a goofball at times. But you are also a paladin, so get this idea that you're not meant to be one out of your head. You can figure this out. I know you can." Pain flashed in his eyes as he drew in a breath and released it. "You know that if Takashi were here, he'd tell you the same."
Lance sniffed and then grabbed his cousin and pulled him into a hug. "I know, you're right."
A roar echoed through the hangar. Lance jumped and looked up at the Blue Lion before turning toward Allura. "What was that?"
Allura listened for a tick and turned toward him. "It's the Red Lion. You must go to it."
Lance shook his head. "No Way! Keith probably trained it to bite my head off." He stopped then turned his gaze on her. "Maybe it's roaring for you."
Allura shook her head as she dropped her gaze. "I would love nothing more than for that to be true, but I know the Red Lion is not meant for me." She raised her eyes to gaze into Lance's blue eyes. "It is choosing you."
"I don't understand."
"My father-built Voltron, but he knew Zarkon was a better leader in battle, so he became Voltron's right hand." Allura placed her hand on the Blue Paladin's shoulder. "Lance, when you accepted Keith as the new leader of Voltron, it proved that you value a strong team over your own need for glory. Just like my father."
Lance swallowed as a lump formed in his throat. He nodded. "I won't let him down." He picked up his helmet and ran for the Red Lion's hangar.
Adam nodded at Allura as he stuck his hands into his pockets. "That was a nice pep talk you gave Lance."
Allura gazed at him as she matched his gait stride for stride. "I was honest with him."
The particle barrier around the Blue Lion dropped, and it growled, stopping both the human and Altean in their tracks. Adam turned back to the lion. Then he turned his gaze on Allura. "She wants you."
Allura smiled sadly back at him. "In a way, I hoped you would be accepted by one of them."
Adam shook his head. "No, I can't do what the paladins do, and emotionally I'm too much of a mess. But you should go. The others need you. Don't worry about the Castle."
Allura nodded as she headed off for the lion.
The Castle of Lions flew into the scene of the battle, and Coran fired the primary weapon managing to get a hit on Lotor's ship. But it was shook like a snow globe from return fire from the Prince's vessel. However, Lotor's forces retreated once the Blue Lion appeared.
Adam walked toward the lion's hangars, but something told him that he wouldn't find Lance in Red's hangar. He turned and entered the Blue Lion's hangar seeing his cousin standing in front of the lion. Adam shook his head. Somethings didn't change.
Lance gazed up at the Blue Lion. "Well, Old Blue, we sure had some fun adventures, didn't we? I wanted to stay with you, but sometimes, what we want isn't necessarily what we get. I'm gonna miss you, buddy."
A door opened and closed. Allura stood nearby wearing armor that was white and pink.
Lanced turned to her, not noticing Adam nearby. "Pink, huh? Now what I was expecting, but I like it."
Allura approached him, but her eyes were downcast as she spoke. "Yes, on Altea, we wear this color to honor our fallen warriors." She stopped facing him and raised her eyes to meet Lance's. "I wear it to honor the paladins of old. And Shiro."
Lance materialized his bayard and handed it over to her. "This belongs to you now. If I had to lose Blue to someone, I'm glad it was you."
The knot in Adam's throat was growing. He cleared his throat, trying to force the lump away. "Thace has been in contact with Kolivan, and he's ready to brief us on everything they know about Lotor and his Generals."
Thace stood by the viewscreen as the last ones to arrive into the lounge entered. He nodded toward the Princess. Then activated the screen bringing up an image of a purple-skinned man with yellow eyes and long white flowing hair. "This is Prince Lotor. He has been in exile for several thousand years. But he has returned taking over the throne. There are rumblings from within the empire. Certain factions are seeking the throne looking to take it away from Lotor."
He brought up another image of four female Galra. "These are Lotor's Generals. They are loyal to him. Acxa, Narti, Zethrid, and Ezor. They are each dangerous in their way, so be careful."
Keith nodded to Thace. "Good to know." He turned to the others. "I managed to place a tracker on Lotor's ship earlier. Let's go and take him down once and for all."
Thace frowned but called out to the others before they left. "Good hunting."
