So, I don't know if anyone has ever experienced this before but do you ever have an idea that you need to write immediately because otherwise you'll lose inspiration? Yeah, well, this was literally me with this one. Keith and Red being the ones to save the Black Lion and protect her made me think: what if Keith could actually sense Black's pain before being her Paladin? It's also me experimenting with first person, so that was fun!
"You guys save the princess without me," I told the rest of the team. I can hear Lance scolding me, telling me we need to stick together, and I almost want to snap back, but the call is getting stronger. Was it why I was so hesitant to bring Voltron to Command Central? Allura's my…ally. The term 'friend' has always been weird. Shiro's family and the others are allies but the call, the desperate cry…I can't explain it, I can't explain why I can hear it, but I know it's coming from Black.
She seems afraid of Zarkon…like if he gets a hold of her, he's going to hurt her terribly. I won't let that happen. Zarkon can't get her. Of course, he shouldn't get any of the others either but I have Red close so I can protect him. I push myself forward, knocking Black out of Zarkon's range.
'Thank you' I hear a voice speak in my mind.
"Black?" I spoke quietly as I watched her. "How can I hear you?"
'You saved me' Black spoke again. 'So, I just thanked you for it. Zarkon…used to be my friend. But he changed and wanted my power so we couldn't be friends anymore. I'm sorry for ejecting your friend. It was to keep him safe from Zarkon'
My heart clenched slightly. She had done that to protect my brother – with all he's been through, at least someone is but why does it hurt to think of her putting herself in danger, even for Shiro? For as long as I can remember, Shiro's always been the only one whose been important to me so why am I feeling this way for a lion that I'm not even the Paladin of?
"I'll protect you," I promised softly and knew in that moment, I would do anything to protect her. "You're Shiro's partner so I'll protect you when he can't." I can't tell her the real reason when I don't even know it. I just know I want to protect her from Zarkon – maybe I'm not strong enough but I have to try.
'Please be careful' I can hear Black tell me, but I can feel Red's agreement as Zarkon moved closer to us. Okay, here goes nothing.