"Paladins! There's an intruder in the castle! On the left side of the second floor." The alarm rang out through the intercoms. "We have not been able to identify them yet, so be wary. They seem to have a weapon of some sort, please be careful."

The group of five suited up and made their way to the second level, Shiro leading the way. They prepared their weapons and kept a look out for anyone unknown. "Do you think they're galra?"

"Who else would try to sneak into the castle, idiot?!"

"Keith, Lance, you two need to stop fighting. We don't need to give them an opening to attack us."

"We weren't even-" As they turned the corner, Shiro found himself staring into the pitch blackness of a helmet. Looking suspiciously alike to the ones he and his teammates wore. He paid no attention to it, instead opting to go in with a direct attack to their arm. The figure anticipated his move, ducking down and hitting his gut with the end of a metal pole. He fell to the ground, winded.

The intruder took that moment to turn and run away, Keith following soon after. Hunk and Lance aimed their bayards and released shots of energy to subdue the unwanted guest. The first shot hit the wall, made a large impact and parts of the wall crumbled. This caused the figure to turn around and start running backwards in order to see the bullets and doge them. "You! Stop running away! You won't be hurt if you turn yourself in!"

The fabric of the white suit tore around their right shoulder, revealing tanned flesh which was quickly covered in crimson. This caused them to make one small misstep, ultimately leading to their downfall, as Pidge saw this as an opportunity to use her weapon. Their ankle was yanked back by a neon green rope. This allowed for the other paladins to catch up to the formerly elusive character and restrain them. The figure's back crashed into the metal that made up the castle's flooring, coldness seeping through their neck from the cold blade pressed up against their throat.

"Hey!," the strong feminine voice resounded through the corridor. "Allura! I know you must have some sort of microphones or something listening to this. Death wasn't really a part of the deal!" The other five looked at each other, not knowing if the figure they now believe as female was bluffing or not.

They were given answers when the click of the princesses' heels quickly approached them. "Paladins, fall back." Four of them followed her command, "Keith, that applies to you as well." He grumbled, but did eventually remove his sword from its place on top of the unknown person's throat. "I thought you said that you were good at fighting? They're only at the level of Altean children, you shouldn't have been defeated." Allura scolded the girl, who had picked herself off of the floor and removed the white helmet. Black hair tumbled out, the light hitting it just right, giving it a mysterious purple sheen.

"Whoa," Hunk stepped into the girl's personal bubble. She stepped back, only for him to move closer. "You're eyes, they're almost yellow. That's so cool!"

"Uhm thank you?"

Another person jumped in front of her, "what planet are you from? You're not Altean, and we don't have yellow eyes or such pointy teeth on Earth."

"I'm from the stars." The girl pried Pidge's fingers out of her mouth and briskly walked past the two curious paladins. "I'm going to visit Xyra now. Allura, I expected them to be at a lower fighting level, so I prepared less. Also, the only weapon you gave me was a long pole, if I had my own choice of weapon, I assure you I would've performed better."

"What's your name mysterious hot lady?!" The girl looked back at him in shocked recognition, along with disgust, and a bit of fear.

"I'm called Runa." She turned back around, quickening her pace.

"My name is Lance, don't forget it!"

"Oh god," she whispered under her breath, rounding the corner of the hall.

"I don't trust her, the only thing we know about her is her name. If "Runa" is her name. She only said that is what she's called."

"I agree with Keith, Princess, are you sure we can trust her. Do you know much more about her than we do? Also, what's a "xyra"?"

"I- I don't know. All I know is that she has the silver lion. I'll follow her and find out. You all go back to training." The group, excluding Shiro, growned. "No excuses."

"Wait, there's a silver lion?!," Lance yelled."

"Yes, but I cannot answer any questions on it, for neither I nor Coran know anything about it." She ran, best as her heels let her, down the hallway in search of the other girl.

"I don't like this."

"Did she go into the hanger? That's the only place down this hall… she must be there then." Allura walked through the doorway, leaning on it while observing Runa. She watched as the girl walked up to the silver lion, greeting it with a hug. "Ah, she must call the lion "Xyra", she has a soft side. Everything will work out."

"Runa, are you okay? You look a bit green. Don't worry, food goo tastes better than it looks, chef's promise." Hunk placed a closed fist over his heart, giving a weak, unbelievable smile.

"Yeah, I don't think you're helping anything Hunk."

"Awe, c'mon man, no need to give me away."

"You did that yourself already." All eyes were on Keith, glaring. "Okay, okay."

The newest paladin stood up from her seat and walked down a hallway towards the kitchen. "Coran, look, I think your meals are great."

"Thanks Hunk…"

"Ah, what's that good smell?" All eyes turned to Runa, who carried a plate stacked with purple pancakes. "Please share, I haven't had pancakes in weeks. No good ones since before the garrison!"

The girl tripped over her own feet at the mention of the garrison, catching herself before spilling her precious food. She sat down, being bombarded by questions for the second time. "Do you know how to read Altean?"

"No-"

"Have you heard of the garrison?!"

She fidgeted, sucking in her bottom lip until it disappeared. "...Yes, I've heard it mentioned, just whispers though. Why do you want to know? Other than the obvious fact that it is on your planet?"

Pidge went rigid, causing his best friends to peer at him with raised eyebrows. "I- can we talk later, I'm hungry." He started spooning food goo into his mouth messily, causing a bigger scene than the question had.

"...Of course…?"

"Can you teach me how to cook with the food here?!"

"Sure, I've picked up a pretty good intuition because of all the planets I've been to where I couldn't read their written language. I don't know if that is teachable though."

"So what was your question Pidge?" The two sat in the common room alone, Pidge hoping that no one would barge in on them and find out her secret.

"I.. I haven't told this to anyone yet and I don't really know why I'm telling you because I don't know if I can trust you, but I need answers." She looked up as Runa stood up from the opposing couch and walked towards her, sitting right next to her.

"Take your time, don't push yourself to do something if you're not ready yet."

"But I have to be ready!" Runa glanced at her through the corners of her eyes. "Sorry for yelling… Okay, so I'm not actually a girl and my brother was lost somewhere out in space. My dad was with him too, so was Shiro actually, so I know they must be alive!"

"I'm sorry…" "Lost in space… wasn't the garrison preparing for a big mission to Kerberos or something? Shiro… who else?"

"Holt! Our last name is Holt, I hope that rings a bell."

"Holt… Sam? Sam Holt, yes. What was his son's name? I'm sure I've run into him before."

"Their names are Sam and Matt! Please, please, please…" She squinted, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

Runa shook her head regretfully, "I'm pretty sure I've heard their names, but I know nothing of them." Pidge stood up and ran down the nearest hallway, presumably to go to her room. "Only the first day and you're already tempted to give yourself up. C'mon, you needa do better than that. Can't be a disappointment to everyone who has put so much work and trust into you. It would be a disgrace, the universe needs you."