2 - Fire of Determination

It didn't take long for Allura to start training Romelle. Once the paladins were situated and everyone's shifts were established for their long journey back to Earth, the very first thing she did was tell Romelle to meet her in the cargo hold in half a varga. Before Romelle got there, she hustled around the room, moving large crates, stacking them on top of each other to make space for a sparring mat. She retrieved the large blue mat from one of the few crates she'd purposefully left accessible, and unfurled it onto the floor with a heavy thud. Allura then withdrew a suit from another box and shook out the thick fabric with a loud snap. It was identical to the one she wore before she donned the title of Blue Paladin. A smile tugged at the corner of her lip. This was the first time she'd pulled it out since then, and she wasn't going to give it to just anyone, but another Altean nonetheless! The idea filled her with a sort of nervous excitement and a strange sense of unease. Her people had been supposedly saved by the very man guilty of killing thousands of them. Her brows furrowed unconsciously as she recalled the moment in the castle when her team confronted Lotor after their return from the quintessence field. The muscles in her stomach twisted as she recalled how she had stepped between him and the other Paladins. She was so solidly fooled by him that she would protect him in favor of listening to the rest of her team. A stupid mistake, and she hated herself for it.

Then, in the midst of the excitement, there was a voice she had never heard before. She turned to see who the voice had come from and was immediately taken with such shock, it felt like a lightning struck and thunder roared, shaking the earth on which she stood. Not only did the mere presence of another Altean paralyze her for a brief moment, but the words pouring out of the Altean's mouth made her blood boil cold with baffled amazement. There were thousands of Alteans still alive because of Lotor's hand, but Lotor had massacred just as many?

Allura remembered the look in Romelle's eyes as Lotor made his plea to her. Her magenta orbs burned with the crimson fires of anguish and hate, trembling with heartbreak. Every emotion was written plainly on her face and in her body. It was a sincerity that Allura had only seen a few times in her lifetime and it was in that brief, never ending moment, in which her entire world unraveled, that she knew who she would trust.

It was not Lotor. It never had been.

Allura clutched the fabric of the white, blue, and pink suit harder before breathing a heavy sigh. Because of what Lotor did. Because of what she did. She wasn't sure whether she could trust herself or not, but she knew she could trust this Altean. There was just something about her that screamed genuineness. Her energy flowed freely about her, her emotions and quintessence were unchecked and raw. There was nothing Allura had to look for, it was all plainly there to observe. A stark contrast from Lotor's carefully constructed facade.

Allura opened her eyes and relaxed her grip on the suit as the door of the hull hissed open. Allura glanced behind her and saw the blonde Altean step lightly into the cargo hold, hands folded behind her back as an easy smile rested on her lips. Something warm stirred inside of Allura as the girl glanced her curious, magenta eyes around the cargo hold. There was a lightness to her spirit that seemed to lift Allura out of her melancholic rage.

"So, this is where we'll be training?" Romelle asked, turning her bright eyes on Allura.

"Yes. Here, put this on. You'll need to practice in the clothes you'll be wearing on the field," the princess declared and then tossed the suit to Romelle.

The girl caught it reflexively, though not before before emitting a small grunt of surprise, looking a little wide-eyed at Allura.

"Well, go get changed! Training starts now."

Romelle let out a burst of laughter before dashing to the quarters all three of the Alteans shared.

The blonde came back a small number of doboshes later and strode into the cargo hold looking quite pleased with herself. Allura was admittedly surprised by the way Romelle's frame filled out the suit. Her arms and legs sported toned muscles she had not been expecting. "Have you had fighting experience before?" she inquired.

Romelle shrugged. "Not the kind of experience you've had, that's for sure."

Allura raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then, what kind of experience?"

A light pink blush ghosted across Romelle's cheeks as she scratched the back of her neck nervously. "Oh, nothing special."

Allura immediately furrowed her eyebrows, a sense of unease growing as Romelle had not previously showed any hint of secrecy. Well perhaps secrecy was a strong word. She looked more like she was embarrassed to admit where she learned to fight. Why would she be embarrassed? "You know, Romelle, if I'm going to teach you at all, I must know what sort of base you have."

Romelle flopped her arm down at her side and blew air passed her lips. "Oh, you know, just some things I picked up when I was a child. Nothing fancy, mostly self taught."

Allura pursed her lips. If Romelle wasn't going to be talkative, she could work with that. "I see." She shifted her feet so that one was behind the other and took a relaxed but poised fighting stance, raising her loosened hands up to her face. "Show me what you know, then."

Romelle jerked her head back. "What, right now!?"

"Of course. How else am I supposed to make my initial assessment?"

Romelle looked hesitant, but took a few steps forward and shook her shoulders. She put one foot in front of the other and leaned her weight into her legs. "Alright," she said. "I'm ready."

A neutral stance, huh? Not a bad way to start since it gave no clear indicators of what fighting style she'd use. "No guard?" Allura asked, beginning to circle slowly around Romelle.

"The guard depends on what's coming at me," she responded simply.

One corner of Allura's lip turned up. "Well stated." Suddenly, Allura threw a few jabs then an uppercut.

Romelle jerked her hands up touching one to the back of her head, the other gripping her wrist as she stepped backwards, effectively blocking all three of Allura's jabs. Once the uppercut came, Romelle kept her hands on her head and dropped an elbow into Allura's forearm, swiped a hand down and grabbed hold of Allura's non-attacking hand that was still up by her face in a guard position. She pulled down on her elbow and punched Allura hard in the upper thigh with the other hand before jerking the elbow up to Allura's face. Had Allura's fist not been in its guarded position, she would have gotten knocked in the chin. Romelle was quicker than Allura had expected, which meant she would be able to use more of her own skills to test the extent of the younger woman's abilities.

Romelle did not stop. She immediately followed with her other elbow. Allura stepped into Romelle, landing a blow to her body before stepping around, gripping Romelle's arm in her armpit and stretching the younger Altean's arm opposite way of how it was supposed to bend. Romelle cried out and tapped Allura's leg three times.

The princess released her hold and allowed Romelle to stand up. "Not bad." She smirked.

"Is this how you trained all the other paladins too?" Romelle asked, her tone only slightly indignant.

Allura chuckled. "No. They spent phoebes fighting the child training program before any of them could spar with me."

Romelle pursed her lips in a pout. "Then how is it fair that I go against you right away? They at least had formal training or something before they got swooped into space to become Voltron!"

Allura laughed again. "True, but they're more fragile than we are. Besides, we don't have the same technology available to us in the Lions as we did on the castle." She kept her smile on, but pain at the loss of the castle tugged at her heart.

"I'm not sure whether to feel flattered or upset," Romelle said, narrowing her eyes at Allura.

The princess shrugged as a small smirk came on to her lips. "Well from what I can tell, you are already much better off than most of them were a deca-phoeb ago."

Romelle's eyes brightened. "Oh! Really?"

Allura nodded. "It seems like it. Now, give me all you've got. I want to know what I'm working with."

Romelle steeled her gaze and nodded eagerly, this time bringing her hands up into a position ready to fight.

The two sparred, Allura testing the younger woman on basic fighting maneuvers first before trying more difficult ones. Romelle met them quickly and decisively, managing to put Allura in a few uncomfortable but not inescapable positions, as the princess always maneuvered her way out of them with carefully executed movements that made Romelle believe she was having some success. Both of them panted heavily as they struggled against one another, Romelle more so than Allura, but the princess was pleasantly surprised by the way Romelle moved. She had been expecting a complete novice, and while it was clear the younger Altean's movements could not be described as refined, they certainly were quick and effective enough to subdue an unsuspecting attacker. Unfortunately for Romelle, Allura could read her movements and would always respond with a counter attack to gain the advantage.

Romelle managed to put Allura in a headlock by a show of sheer strength that genuinely surprised the princess. She got the feeling that she wasn't the only one holding back. Just before Romelle could get a solid hold on the choke, Allura turned her head towards the crook of Romelle's elbow and then pulled it to one side so she couldn't close of her windpipe. She spun quickly before Romelle could take her all the way to the ground and maneuvered herself around to grab the other Altean around her back with one arm. Allura stepped to one side and grabbed the back of Romelle's thigh, taking her to the ground and assuming a position of dominance.

Romelle grunted as her back smacked hard against the mat, sweat beading on her brow. She bucked her hips causing Allura to fall forward on her hands before rolling the older girl over so that she was now on top. Good. Nice counter. Allura wrapped her legs around Romelle's waist and immediately grabbed both of her wrists, slamming one into her lower body while bringing the other one up above her head. Quickly, Allura moved her legs from Romelle's hips to her shoulders, swept the girl's right arm across her body, and then pulled her blonde head close to her in a choke-hold that was sealed partly with Romelle's arm and Allura's legs.

Romelle tapped Allura on the hip with one hand and she released the hold. Breathing heavily, Romelle sat up and rested her hands on her knees. "Did you just want to beat me up?" she panted. "Is that why you agreed?"

Allura swung her legs around and landed in a cross-legged position. She chuckled breathily before speaking. "I wanted to see how you fight so I could build upon the knowledge you already have. The best way to do so was through a spar." Allura stood up and held out a hand to Romelle. "It certainly doesn't seem like you've never had any training. Your countering instincts are good, but your offensive tactics often leave you open to attack," she explained, helping the girl to her feet.

"To an experienced fighter like you. It's pretty effective against common thugs," Romelle huffed.

Allura raised an eyebrow as she caught her breath. "Did you come across such people often?"

Romelle breathed in deeply and let out huffs of breath, bobbing her head to one side. "People don't like it when you start asking too many questions. It poisons the faith of others," she replied distainfully.

Allura's brows knit together in concern. "Your people attacked you for what you believed." She meant to ask it as a question, but it came out like a statement.

Romelle nodded. "That's the reason I taught myself how to fight. When my father got taken, I was just a child. Bandor was still an infant. My mother raised us in the ways of Lotor, but no matter how good she claimed he was, I couldn't reconcile the fact that he was separating families and forbidding any contact. I thought it was too convenient and refused to keep quiet about my suspicions. My teachers never approved, and admonished me openly. The students were even more cruel, using their blind faith as an excuse for violence. Raaz and Petrulius were the only ones that had any sympathy for me. And even though their faith would not be shaken, they believed that the violence being carried out against me was not in Lotor's will. We trained together, learning how to defend one another against the bullies of my childhood. The ones who became the zealous thugs that went out and forcefully squashed any blasphemous claims. Even though I was the only one of us three who openly rejected Lotor, Raaz and Petrulius also got labeled as infidels when they tried to stand up for what was right."

Allura stared, jaw slackened as her face displayed the ache of her heart. "I'm so sorry."

Romelle shrugged and gave a small smile. "It's alright. It's easier knowing that I'm finally fighting for the unity and peace Raaz and Petrulius always believed in."

Allura looked thoughtful, casting her gaze briefly down at the floor before turning them resolutely back on the younger woman. "You and your people have suffered much, and I promise to do all that we can to help them."

Romelle nodded. "I know you will." She got up and dusted herself off. "Now, what do you say to teaching me to toss a full grown Galra soldier clear across the room?"

Allura snorted as Romelle dramatically demonstrated the action, her spirit lighting up with hope and laughter once more at the young woman's words and effortless change of subject. Lotor had more impact on the girl's life than just taking her family, he poisoned the minds of her people, but Romelle still managed find hope. It inspired Allura to push past her own cloud of darkness and shame and continue to press onward. "Well, then. Let's get started," she said bringing herself back to her feet.

"Your defenses are quite good, as are your counter strikes. Now it's a matter of refining the tools you have." Allura turned and headed for a corner of the hull where a mass of cargo crates lay. "Now, let's see how you fight with a weapon." She reached back behind one of the crates and withdrew two long white sticks each with a rectangle head.

"A broom? Aren't I going to have to use a real weapon on the field like you said?" Romelle complained.

"Any object can be a real weapon with the proper handling," she said with an arched eyebrow. She then removed the broom head before tossing the long stick to the other woman. Romelle fumbled, dropping it to the floor with a clatter as she danced her feet around awkwardly, to keep it from landing on her toes. Allura raised her eyebrows somewhat appalled by the drastic switch in Romelle's movements. Weapons training was definitely something they would need to practice.

Allura talked and walked Romelle through basic stances and simple movements, building up a series of blocks, attacks, and counters before stringing them together to make one complete sequence. Each time Allura countered and took Romelle down, she'd explain how not to land in that particular situation, then they'd go back to the spot where Allura gained the upper hand and practice the new strategy.

By the end of two vargas, Romelle's entire body trembled beneath her. But Allura said that if she could get this sequence one time, then they could rest for the day. Romelle steeled herself. Just. One. Time.

Allura charged at her, stick slashing down from above. Romelle raised her stick to block the attack and it slid to the side. Sweat dripped down her nose and fell to the floor as Romelle then swung her weapon around and, once again, pinned Allura's stick to the floor with her foot. She lifted her other foot and finally landed a swift kick to Allura's chest, sending the Altean princess stumbling backwards. It was a solid enough hit that Allura was slightly disoriented and didn't execute her typical counter. Romelle took the pole and jabbed Allura in the chest hard, finally knocking her to the ground before posing the weapon at her throat, as Allura had done to her hundreds of times already.

Romelle huffed hard as beads of sweat dripped down her forehead and nose. Allura grinned up at her, her own sweat beading up on her face as she breathed heavily. "See? I told you you'd get it."

It took a tick for Romelle realize exactly what had just happened. She paused and her eyes focused on Allura. "Ahh, Ah-hah! I did it! I actually did it! How did I do that? I didn't even realize I was doing it until it was already over!"

Allura chuckled and stood up. "That's the idea."

Romelle started chuckling shakily, her whole body quivering. The unsteady sound slowly morphed into laughing tears as the hot stream of liquid exhaustion pooled in her eyes. Her knees buckled and she sank down to the floor. "That was-the hardest thing-I've ever done-in my life!" she whimpered, still laughing pathetically.

Allura looked at her with a sort of sympathy, offering a hand to help the girl up. "Are you sure you want to keep training? I understand if this was too much for you."

Fat tears finally spilled over to her cheeks. "Of COURSE I want to keep training!" She exclaimed not even trying to reach up for Allura's hand. "I'm just positively exhausted!"

Allura chuckled warmly as she bent down next to the girl. "Can you get up?"

"Get up? I can hardly MOVE!" Romelle slouched her shoulders deeper. It had been so long since she'd actually fought anyone, let alone someone with Allura's capabilities. All the assailants she ever came up against in the past did not possess even a fraction of the princess's strength, even less of her speed, and no expertise to speak of. But wasn't that the whole reason Romelle asked for her help in the first place? To get trained by the best?

Allura knelt beside her. "Here, let me help. May I?" She hovered a hand over Romelle's twitching thigh.

Romelle's jaw slackened as she looked incredulously at the princess. "Huh?" she sobbed.

A giggle bubbled up from Allura's throat. "I can aid the healing process of your muscles."

Romelle felt a heat rise up from her chest and into her face, which she had the sneaking suspicion wasn't from spending the last two hours sparring. Allura's eyes shone with a sort of earnest sincerity, the crystalline orbs sparkling as her hands hovered over Romelle's trembling legs. Romelle emitted a decidedly embarrassing and graceless grunt of a noise as she awkwardly nodded her head.

Allura offered an amused smile before touching one hand to Romelle's knee. "Go ahead and lay down. It will work much better that way," she said.

"Um, ok." Romelle looked down at her spasming legs hopelessly before leaning on her right hand. Her arm caved in from the effort of holding up her body, and she flopped down onto the floor, legs scattering behind her as she rolled over onto her back with a loud grunt.

Allura chuckled lightly, a smirk playing on her lips.

Romelle knew her face was red as she struggled to slow her breathing, her heart was not only pounding from the strenuous workout, but it seemed like it was all a flutter with a specific kind of restlessness that Romelle hadn't expected to emerge. Allura's hands were warm on each one of her thighs just above her knee; light as the winter's first snow as magic pooled in her palms, sending calming waves of cooling warmth through her aching legs. The spasms eased and Romelle found it somehow easier and more difficult to catch her breath as the tingling sensation spread throughout her body. Her chest unknotted itself as her heart finally made the switch from post workout pounding to a delicate thrum that was caused by Allura's ministrations. She looked from the Princess's hands to her face and saw the pink markings on her face glowing gently. The light made her silvery white eyelashes glitter and revealed the Princess's beauty in a way that Romelle couldn't quite put into words.

A few moments later, Allura's hands stopped glowing and she removed them from Romelle's legs. "There you go, all better."

Romelle sat up slowly and wiggled her legs, testing them.

"You'll still experience a little soreness, but at least the bulk of the damage is repaired. After all, you have to do some of the healing by yourself, for training purposes, of course." Allura smiled and offered a hand to Romelle.

"Thank you, Allura," Romelle replied, accepting the help up. Her legs still felt a little sore, but at least they weren't like gelatinous blobs of trembling goop anymore. They held her up just fine.

"We'll start training in earnest tomorrow. To get you caught up, we'll have to do twice daily sessions, but with your talent, strength, and determination, I'm sure you'll be a fighting force to be reckoned with quick as a tick," Allura said matter of factly, and then began walking toward their quarters.

Romelle's first instinct was to balk at the sheer amount of training, but the latter half of Allura's statement made her swell with pride, while also sending a tingle of dread through the back of her mind. Allura thought she had talent, but what if she couldn't meet the militaristic princess's expectations? "Really?" she was asking both about the double training and the compliment she received.

Allura turned her head and glanced over her shoulder. "If what I saw today is any indication, then I should think so."

Romelle paused briefly, cocking her head to one side, unable to keep her burning question to herself. "And what did you see today?"

Allura glanced back at her, her face like that of a doctor giving a diagnosis as she continued to walk. "At first glance, you are proficient in rudimentary defence, and have some understanding of counter attacks. Although, whenever you strike, you often leave yourself wide open for attack, a typical problem that even the most talented fighters can have trouble mastering. You think quick on your feet, which is ideal, and you learn remarkably quickly. We'll make sure to to play to your strengths first while also working on one of your weaknesses: dodging. Often times, getting hit, even once, means death or serious injury, so it's best to avoid it, if at all possible. It is a vital skill you will need to get the hang of very quickly. Since countering is one of your stronger areas, and it seems like it's already developing into a part of your style, we will work with that."

It was odd, having someone completely dissect her abilities like that. It seemed like with every statement, Allura was somehow praising her and scolding her at the same time, even though her tone displayed nothing of the sort. She spoke plainly, as if her strengths and weaknesses were nothing of consequence. It was a marked difference from how mistakes or shortcomings were discussed on Pollux. Such sins were met with judgement and condemnation, and could only be suitably atoned for by confessing at an altar of Lotor-something Romelle rarely did out of her own volition. Her teachers had forced that idiotic ritual on her. Romelle decided she rather liked Allura's matter-of-fact assessment and that it would be a welcome change.

Romelle nodded, taking stock of what Allura had said. "That sounds great!"

Allura flashed her a smile. "Well then, we'll start tomorrow," she said, taking a left to go towards the sanitation chamber. "Would you mind if I washed first? We have a flight simulator coming up."

"Sure, go ahead. I'll just stretch while I wait."

"Good idea. Stick to light stretches. Your muscles are still tender and can easily be overexerted. You should be fine by tomorrow morning, though." Allura pressed a button on the wall and the door behind her hissed open.

Romelle sat down on the floor, and waved to the woman. "Thanks, Allura."

The princess nodded, before disappearing behind the door.