A/N: Hello, and welcome to A Fallen Star. To all new and old readers, this is the 8th story within my series featuring Mariko Shirogane and Scarlett. If you'd like to catch up or recap what's happened so far, please read the first 7 stories: Rise of Voltron; Turmoil Begins; Fights and Flights; Scarlett and the Blades; What's Been Lost, What's Been Found; Beneath the Sand and Stars; and Rifts and Realizations (in that order). I'll be posting chapters for this twice a week. I hope you enjoy!
Full Summary: With Lotor and Allura bringing the Galra Empire and the Voltron Coalition together, the universe was expecting a new era of peace and prosperity. But when the alliance breaks and both the emperor and Voltron disappear without a trace, rising Galra warlords threaten the coalition. With a target on her back, Mari must do what she can to protect the Vurelleans and survive, even if it means enduring heartbreak and a crushing defeat.
**I do not own Voltron: Legendary Defender (duh)
Months had passed since Lotor had ascended the throne. The Galra leaders refusing to be led by him continued to fight, the worst of them, of course, quickly proving to be Sendak, who seemed to be amassing an army of his own known as the Fire of Purification. Despite the alliance formed between Voltron and the Galra emperor, the coalition members were still kept on their feet dealing with the chaos caused by the rogue commanders. Liberating critical bases, taking in more refugees, and eliminating enemy fleets before they could take over unsuspecting planets, Voltron, the Blade of Marmora, and the rebels were slowly trying to stabilize the Empire.
The freedom fighters of Vurelle were no exception. Almost weekly, Mari was taking Agamate, Yojal, and the rest of their pilots to go on team-up missions with Matt and Olia to destroy hostile Galra cruisers that dared to enter coalition territory. And on the long days she wasn't in the skies, Mari assisted with construction and communications on Vurelle, leaving Scarlett and Mitsubishi to work with Meggix and their team of engineers to repair ships and add to the planet's defense systems.
During the evenings, when everyone was winding down as the sun set on Vurelle, Mari often found herself on her own in the base's central control room. It was at these times that she'd receive her weekly calls from the Castle of Lions, when she and the other paladins would catch up on their latest activity within the Empire. For whatever reason, Shiro's participation in these calls had become oddly nonexistent since the Kral Zera. And with Coran, Pidge, and Hunk working fervently to combine Altean and Galra tech, their presences had also become scarce. Even Allura, who had obtained new knowledge on Altean alchemy from a mysterious realm known as Oriande not too long ago, chose to skip their calls as she and Lotor worked on completing his set of comet ships by infusing them with her magic. In the end, it was usually up to Lance to convey all the news to her. But despite his talkative nature, Lance would often grow crestfallen and quiet during their talks. It was lonely without the others, for both of them.
"Lotor is by Allura's side, like, all the time now," he said, sulking one evening. "She's always hanging out with him. It's like…it's like the rest of us have become invisible to her."
"I know how that feels," Mari murmured, leaning back in her seat. "Takashi's been giving me the cold shoulder for a long time." For the umpteenth time, she wondered if she'd done something wrong to piss him off. But no matter how many times she'd ask him, he'd get annoyed and brush her questions off with a curt "I'm fine." It wasn't like him to be so closed off. He was usually the honest and open one out of the two of them, or at least she'd thought so.
"He's been acting weird with us too. All…snippy and stuff," Lance admitted, worry furrowing his brow. "His headaches are getting worse."
A new fear dawned on Mari. What if his illness had returned? What if Haggar had only cured him temporarily? "You don't think he's getting sick, do you?" she tentatively asked.
"Coran said our reports were all good during our last physicals." When Mari didn't reply, Lance forced an encouraging smile. "We've been through a lot in a short time. It's probably just the stress getting to him."
She hoped to god that he was right. She sighed, combing a hand through her hair to try and calm herself.
"Hey, at least we'll have a break from work soon," Lance continued, his tone brightening a bit. "Allura's alliance ball is just around the corner!"
He'd mentioned the ball last time they'd talked. It would be a banquet with food, pretty outfits, music, and dancing, held on Lotor's central command ship. Although such gatherings were typically of Altean tradition, the half-blooded emperor had been the one to suggest hosting it there. Coalition members, Blades, and allied Galra officers were invited. Under the tightest security, the party would function as a much needed stress-reliever, as well as formally celebrate the alliance between most of the Galra and Voltron.
"Yay. I'm so thrilled," Mari deadpanned, her enthusiasm for the event severely lacking. Allura had asked her, Scarlett, and Mitsubishi to come as representatives of the Vurelle rebels, and they were required to wear something fancier than their dusty work clothes. Something preferably of the "sparkly variety," as the princess had put it.
"C'mon, it won't be that bad," Lance tried to lift her spirits. "The whole gang will be back together in person again. Well, except for our favorite mulleted hothead."
"He's lucky he's on a mission, right now," Mari muttered, absentmindedly glancing at the glowing ring on her finger. "I'd rather be doing whatever he's doing than dressing up and playing diplomat."
"I'd rather stick my whole foot in my mouth than have to watch Lotor give Allura goo-goo eyes in a pretty dress." Lance grumbled. Then he gasped. "You don't think this is all just a ploy for him to publicly propose to her, do you?"
Mari rolled her eyes. "No way. You're overthinking things now," she said. "They've only known each other for a few months. Neither of them are stupid enough to jump the gun like that."
Relief slackened Lance's shoulders and some of the fear faded from his blue eyes. "You're probably right. Alliances through marriage are totally overrated and old fashioned anyway," he said finally, although he still didn't quite sound convinced. He sighed, burying his head in his arms as he slumped against his control panel. "I've never felt this way before. Why is liking someone so hard?"
Mari bit her lower lip. She didn't have an answer for him. Liking someone was confusing. It brought change and threatened stable friendships. The more she tried to understand the heavy and complex feelings associated with it, the more it made her heart ache. It's why she'd stuffed such confusing emotions down, ignoring them as much as she could until they could be sorted out later after the war. Even now, she pushed the thoughts away, forcing herself to focus on Lance and his predicament.
"I'm not an expert on giving out relationship advice," she began, hesitant and careful. "But I think if you really, truly like Allura, flaws and all, inside and out, then the best thing you could do is tell her how you feel. Before Emperor Fancy Hair wins her over for good."
Lance let out a humorless laugh. "Really? This is me, we're talking about. Allura wouldn't take a confession from me seriously," he scoffed, not even trying to hide the bitterness in his tone. "And compared to Lotor? A literal king? I'm a speck of dirt while he's a diamond."
"Even diamonds have their flaws," Mari reminded him, and he huffed.
"You know what I mean. Lotor is elegant and cool, and I'm…" He paused, his voice starting to quiver. "…I'm nothing."
"You are not nothing," she said, her tone gentler. "You are so much more than that. More than a speck of dirt and more than a silly lover boy."
Lance peeked up at her, a doubtful brow raised. "This conversation is starting to sound awfully familiar."
"Good. It should. Remember when you said that when you looked at me, you saw a star?"
He nodded. "Yeah. What, am I the moon or something to you?"
"No. When I look at you, I see…the ocean," she said, carefully choosing the right words to best express her line of thinking. "Deep and sensitive, gentle and fun. You're overflowing with kindness and potential and your love for others is endless. Yeah, you can be fickle and a lot to handle sometimes, but you will always be there to carry your friends safely to shore. Selfless, loyal, and honest, you love life and will do anything to help the people you care most about. The universe needs more laughter and love, and you bring so much of it to others. That is who you are."
Lance stared at her for a moment, processing her spiel. Some of the light returned to his eyes as he wondered, "You really mean all that?"
"Yeah. I do," she said, her own analogy of him growing on her. "And if Allura can't see you for how great you are…then she's a fool and you deserve better."
Lance smiled, small and sad and not entirely convinced. "Thanks," he said, nonetheless. "I'll…I'll think about it."
Mari hummed in response. She wished she could say more to help him feel better, but she had never been great with words. Her speeches still lacked the power leaders as influential as Allura or Shiro or Lotor possessed. Still, there must be something she could do to help him take his mind off of the princess.
Then an idea came to her, one that she knew he would love. "Hey, I think I've got something that'll cheer you up," she said. "You got any free time tomorrow?"
The moment the Red Lion touched down on Vurelle, Lance was scrambling to disembark. He hopped out of the jaw and made a beeline for Mari and Scarlett, who were waiting for him in the port.
"Where is the baby?" he squealed, skipping right over the hello.
Scarlett gave him a once over. Her face twisted into a horrified frown as she took in the bags under his wild eyes and the way he was vibrating in his anticipation. "Good grief, you look like a madman," she noted. "Why are you so jittery?"
"He was so excited last night, he didn't get any sleep," Hunk explained as he and Pidge followed after him, moving with much less vigor. "And then he drank a big cup of space coffee before we left the Castle."
Mari sighed. "Will you be okay to see her?" she asked. "You have to stay calm."
"Yes, yes, I'm good," Lance nodded vigorously. Then, as if realizing he had replied too quickly, he took a deep breath and smoothed back his hair, trying to steady himself. "I'm good. I swear."
"He'll be fine. That stuff wears off pretty quick," Pidge mumbled, looking like she was in desperate need of a cup of space coffee herself. "Let's go see this little lizard baby."
With Mari and Scarlett leading the way, they walked through the market, waving to familiar passersby as they called out morning greetings to them. They entered the palace, smiling to the guards as they stepped through the doors, and navigated the halls until they arrived at the throne room. Several Vurelleans and rebels and refugees sat at the tables along the edges of the room, enjoying a quiet breakfast amongst friends. Sitting at the center table were Ellosh, Korlis, Teol, Mitsubishi, and Treble, as well as the newest addition to their family. Cradled in her mother's arms, gnawing on a tenderized cafiger leg, was Vurelle's newborn princess. She had Ellosh's intelligent eyes, big and blue and rimmed with red and gold, and Korlis' fierce and mischievous grin. Her scales were mostly green with patches of dark red here and there.
"Baby!" Lance exclaimed upon seeing her, making all heads snap towards him as he quickly approached. Teol and Korlis rose to greet him and the other paladins, but he zipped past them as he leaned over the little princess. "Awww!" he crooned, smiling softly as she stared back at him, her tail swishing curiously as she took in his fleshy features. "She's beautiful — ACK!"
"Back up, Blue Boy," Teol growled, grabbing him by the shoulder and pulling him away. "You're smothering her."
Korlis sighed. "Calm down, Teol. It's fine," he chided. "He's a paladin, an ally. Not a friggin assassin or anythin'. He ain't botherin' her at all."
He was right. The princess didn't look the least bit uncomfortable. Instead, as if to scold the soldier, she threw her cafiger leg at him, smacking him in the nose. Teol scowled, wiping the slobber and meat juices from his face before relenting and sitting back down.
Korlis chuckled in approval. "Sorry 'bout him, Lance," he said, clapping the Red Paladin on the back with so much force he stumbled forward. "He's been a bit overprotective since the eggs hatched."
Lance grimaced, rubbing his sore shoulders. "It's fine," he squeaked.
Hunk tentatively drew closer, hands held over his heart. A wide smile spread across his face when the baby's gaze flicked to him and she cooed. "Aww!" he gushed in pure joy. "She's so cute. What's her name?"
"Kia," Ellosh told them, holding her baby out for the Yellow Paladin to see.
"Aw, hi there, little Kia. I'm Hunk," he said, his voice light and full of warmth. He held out a finger to her and she wrapped her tiny claws around it, inspecting it. "Look at your cute lil nose. And your cute lil baby hands. You're so strong already!"
Pidge stared at Kia skeptically, keeping her limbs to herself. "Vurelleans are omnivores, but meat's a big part of their diet, right?" she said, pushing her glasses further up the bridge of her nose as she glanced at the queen. "Does she bite?"
"Oh, don't worry," Ellosh assured her. "This little one hasn't bitten anyone. I think she knows better than to — "
CHOMP.
Hunk squealed, quickly retracting his hand from the princess's mouth. He clutched his throbbing finger, pouting as she smiled innocently up at him.
"Well…she is still just a baby," Ellosh backtracked, granting Hunk a helpless and apologetic look.
Korlis laughed, loud and proud as he said, "She's a cheeky one, ain't she?"
"The women in this household are formidable," Mitsubishi muttered, his hair shifting between orange and yellow.
"She's gonna be fun to grow up with," Treble grinned, booping Kia on the nose and making her face scrunch up.
Lance inched forward again, watching Teol cautiously out of the corner of his eye. "Can I hold her?" he asked, already opening his hands.
Teol opened his mouth to reject his request, but Korlis slapped a hand on his shoulder, silencing him before he could speak. "You sure you want to?" he teased. "She might nom on your fingers."
"Yeah, I've got this," Lance replied, his confidence returning. "I've gotten a lot of experience taking care of my niece and nephew when they were babies."
"I didn't know you were an uncle," Scarlett mused.
Lance nodded, gingerly wrapping his arms around Kia as Ellosh handed her to him. He swayed from side-to-side, rocking her gently.
"Yep! Nadia and Silvio were a handful to babysit," he chuckled, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "Nadia cried a lot no matter what you did to comfort her. And Silvio always had trouble falling asleep on his own. But you're a good girl, Kia! Look at that pretty smile!"
Kia gurgled with delight and nuzzled into his hold. He closed his eyes and hummed a bit, a soothing and rhythmic lullaby. When he finished, he suddenly reopened them, looking a little startled, as if he'd gotten lost in the past and had forgotten there were other people watching him. He looked down at Kia and was surprised to see that she was now dozing in his arms.
"Oh. Um, sorry. I probably just ruined her whole nap schedule," he apologized, sheepishly handing her back to her mother.
"Don't be. That was lovely, Lance," Ellosh said, rewarding him with a kind smile. He rubbed the back of his neck, a blush rising to his cheeks.
"Wow. This is the first time I've seen your charm actually work on a girl," Scarlett noted and he rolled his eyes at the Utearen.
"Congrats on the baby, you guys," he said, ignoring her as he addressed Ellosh and Korlis. "I'm really happy for you."
"Thank ya, kid," Korlis said. His tone was hushed now with Kia sleeping, but the fire in his eyes never dimmed as he continued, "We couldn't have had her without you and the other paladins. You're welcome to come and see her whenever you like."
Lance stared at their family for a moment longer, taking in their warmth and happiness. A steely resolution sparked in his eyes and he nodded. "No problem. We're glad to help."
When it eventually came time for the paladins to leave, Lance pulled Mari aside in the port. Keeping his voice low, he said, "Okay. I'm gonna tell Allura how I feel at the party."
"That's great!" Mari exclaimed a little too loudly, making Pidge, Hunk, and Scarlett cast her weird looks from up ahead. "What changed your mind?" she continued, quieter this time.
Lance took a deep breath. "Korlis and Ellosh never lost sight of the future they wanted to have with their family. And seeing them all together like that, finally happy and hopeful…well, it makes me want to try harder too. I want to see my family again. I want to work for a future where we're all happy." He paused, his jaw set with determination. "I can't give up this easily on Allura. I…I can see a future with her, and I want to go for it."
Mari smiled. "Then go for it," she encouraged him. "I'll be rooting for you, Lance."
"So will we!" Pidge exclaimed, suddenly running back from the Red Lion's ramp to pounce on him, nearly knocking him over in the process. She wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him like a monkey as he struggled beneath her weight.
"Yeah! Team Lance all the way!" Hunk whooped, barreling into them and enveloping them in a big bear hug.
"What?" Lance wheezed, his face reddening in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "You guys were just making fun of me the other day about this!"
"We were just kidding," Pidge said, squirming in the tight embrace. "Like we'd pick Lotor over you."
"Yeah, man. We've been friends since diapers," Hunk pitched in. "Bros before princely Galra…schmoes."
Lance looked like he was about to cry. "You guys really suck sometimes," he croaked, his lower lip quivering and fresh tears pooling in his eyes. "I love you, but I hate you."
"We know," the duo chorused.
"And we're sorry," Hunk added, and Lance bawled, relieved to know his friends had his back.
Scarlett sidled up to Mari as they watched the cuddling trio. "At least the party won't be as boring, now right?" she said, nudging the human in the ribs with a sly smirk.
Mari sighed. "Now I'd really rather do anything else than go," she grumbled, and Scarlett laughed.
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