**I do not own Voltron: Legendary Defender (duh)
When Mari pulled Scarlett aside and tentatively asked for her thoughts on the matter, she was met with unbridled enthusiasm and support from the Utearen. She was even willing to accompany her on the journey home with the paladins.
"Of course, I'll go with you!" Scarlett exclaimed, her eyes twinkling in excitement. "Someone's gotta keep an eye on you and those dumb-dumbs and get you outta trouble."
"Are you sure?" Mari asked, taken aback by her lack of hesitancy. "What about Mitsubishi? And Treble and Acxa?"
"They'll be fine. We've all already discussed it," Scarlett replied, waving away her concern. "We all agree that this is the best thing for you. We absolutely refuse to let you go alone too."
When Mari frowned, still unconvinced, she placed her hands on her hips and gave her a confident grin. "Besides, I've been wanting to see your primitive planet," she insisted. "I can help Sam with the defense system. If Earth's tech sucks as much as you say it does, then he's gonna need as much help as he can get."
A wave of relief washed over the human. "Thank you, Scarlett. That makes me feel a lot better about this."
Scarlett's beam lingered a second longer before fading. "We do still have a bit of a problem though," she slowly admitted. "You'll have to leave the Kintsugi here."
Her relief was instantly snuffed. "What? Why?"
"It's a fighter ship, it's not meant for prolonged space travel," Scarlett said. "And if the lions are really that low on power, then getting to Earth is going to take a long while, for sure."
"Dammit…" Mari muttered, her nagging unease returning. "I don't want to leave it."
"You don't have to worry about that. Acxa can fly it to meet up with Ellosh and the others on Kythra," Scarlett was quick to assure her. "She and Mitsu and Treble will take good care of it."
Mari stared at her, doubtful. "Just like how you took 'good care' of the Double Trouble?"
Scarlett shrugged sheepishly. "Eh heh…That was an unexpected and careless mishap. I swear they won't let that happen to your ship," she promised. "They know how much it means to you. It's priceless compared to the DT."
Mari sighed. She supposed they did need a way to get to Kythra under the radar. And not only was Acxa an excellent pilot, but she knew how to take the initiative and keep Treble and Mitsubishi out of trouble. She could live without the Kintsugi for a while if it meant her crew would be safe and able to reunite with their comrades.
"Fine," she relented. With her team packed and ready to head to their destination with their own objectives in mind, she and Scarlett would go to Earth with Team Voltron. Now all she had to do was inform the paladins of her decision.
Her heart raced all throughout dinner. It was the first time she was eating with everyone since they had returned. Acxa and Scarlett were sure to sit next to her, their close presences offering her comfort in the face of such a crowded atmosphere and giving her the courage she needed to broach the topic of joining the paladins on their journey home.
When the last of the plates had been cleared, the cave settled into a state of content tranquility as everyone sat by the warmth of the fire. Mari could feel several pairs of eyes on her again, as if they were waiting for her to break the silence. Beside her, Acxa gently tapped her leg to hers and nodded, granting her a rare smile and encouraging her to speak.
"So. I – I've made up my mind," Mari said, her voice sounding loud and awkward in the deafening quiet of the cave. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Scarlett and I will go home with you to Earth."
There was a visible shift amongst the Voltron team. Shiro sagged in relief and Allura's, Pidge's, and Lance's faces lit up in delight. Hunk beamed, his eyes teary, and Keith and Coran smiled in approval. It felt strange receiving such joyful reactions from them, Mari realized, but in a good and familiar sort of way. Still, she wouldn't let them get ahead of themselves in their celebration.
"But let me make something absolutely clear: this doesn't make us best friends or anything again. This doesn't mean I forgive you. You're still going to have to work for that," she quickly stated, keeping her tone stern and all business. She crossed her arms as she continued, "I'm only going as a representative of the coalition and rebel forces. I'm assuming Sam's still working on Earth's defense system with the Garrison. There's a possibility those hardheads have been giving him a difficult time about it too. If anyone needs to make a case for our cause and why or how Earth needs to become a fortified safe space for the coalition, then I'll do it."
She didn't miss how some of their faces fell, the glee in the room diminishing. But no one uttered a word against her. They were just glad to have her on board with them for their journey.
"And I'm going to prevent your sorry butts from getting caught by space pirates again," Scarlett piped up, almost scoldingly. "And, of course, I wanna help build Earth's defenses."
Shiro nodded, his smile small but unbreakable as he said, "We're thrilled to have you both along."
The next morning, it was time for both teams to depart. Much to Mari's disappointment, it would take them about a year and a half to reach Earth according to Pidge. It would be a hell of a long road trip for her to endure, but at least it would give Acxa, Treble, and Mitsubishi plenty of time to reach Kythra, spread the word about Voltron's return, and possibly even find Matt and the other rebels.
"Say hello to Ellosh and the others for me when you find them," Mari said, embracing Treble tightly outside of the Kintsugi. "We'll contact you when we reach Earth and it's ready to welcome visitors."
"I will," Treble whispered, nuzzling into her neck. "Please, be safe."
Mari hummed in confirmation before they both pulled away. She turned to Acxa, granting her a tight smile before clasping one another's forearms in the common handshake of the Galra.
"See you in about two years," she said, unable to suppress the sadness in her voice. "Take care of my baby until then. I don't want a single scratch on her."
Acxa nodded, a tiny smile of her own gracing her features. "I promise to return the Kintsugi to you in perfect condition."
Near the entrance of the now empty cave, lost in the privacy of their conversation, Scarlett and Mitsubishi bid their farewells. Their hands intertwined, she tapped her forehead against his, her antenna glowing brighter as she did so. Then she kissed him on the cheek, making his hair turn a bright pink.
"What the – Since when are they an item?" Lance wondered, flabbergasted as he watched the couple.
"Since about a year ago," Treble chirped. "That's when they made it official."
"What the cheese…"
Pidge rolled her eyes. "It was obvious they liked each other before then, Lance," she muttered.
"Yeah, but he was too wrapped up in his own lovesickness to notice," Hunk reminded her, and Lance scowled, a light blush coloring his cheeks.
Allura's own features were dusted with pink and she was careful not to look at him. "I think it's sweet," she noted, diverting her attention back to the pair. "They were definitely made for one another."
"You're not wrong there," Lance sighed, and they went silent as the two pulled away and approached them.
"Good luck on your trip," Mitsubishi said, addressing Keith.
"The same goes for you," he replied, before looking at Acxa. "Thank you again for saving us."
Acxa nodded. "Take care on your journey." She paused, glancing knowingly at Mari for a moment before quietly adding, "And this time, don't let her down. If you're not careful in the future, someone else just might take her for themselves."
Keith's eyes widened and Mari's embarrassment flared, the heat rising to her face. Amusement danced in Acxa's eyes and she stepped away from their group before either could say anything more. With a final wave from Treble and Mitsubishi, the trio hopped into the Kintsugi's cockpit and took to the skies. With a heavy heart, Mari watched as her ship and her companions disappeared through the swirling orange clouds, leaving her and Scarlett behind with their old team while they headed for Kythra.
Scarlett sidled up to Mari, her sack of tools, clothes, and tech cradled in her arms while Zyron sat perched on her shoulder. "I think you've got a thing for Galra half-breeds," she teasingly murmured, and Mari had half a mind to strangle her.
Letting out a deep breath, she adjusted the strap of her duffel bag of belongings over her shoulder and turned to face the five lions looming over them, recharged as much as they could be and ready to go. After four long and hectic years exploring the universe beyond the Milky Way, she was finally going to be returning to the very home she had longed to take flight from and escape. Magdelena and Jia would be waiting for her at the Garrison…and so would Aaren at whatever university he had decided to attend. Her dad and Kage would be waiting in the house…and so would her mom. Even Earth had its own terrors. But at least facing them would be much less deadly than trying to survive day-to-day in the pirate infested territories of the universe.
Scarlett took her hand and gently squeezed it, sending positive thoughts her way. Mari was no longer the same naive teenager who feared her mother and despised the boy who had stolen her first kiss. She'd endured countless fights and perilous battles. With Scarlett by her side, she could get through this trip too and any trials that awaited her back home.
"Aw man! It's gonna be just like old times," Lance grinned, pulling her attention to him as he threw her a finger gun. "The original squad is back together and headin' to Earth, baby!"
"Give or take a few extra members," Pidge said. "Thank gosh we don't have to be crammed into one lion again."
"Speaking of which, who's gonna be riding with whom?" Hunk asked, nervously glancing around at their party of twelve, the wolf included. "Lance botched the sorting last time."
"Hey!"
"I'll take the wolf and my mom," Keith said, ignoring Lance's scowl.
"Romelle and Coran can ride with me in the Blue Lion," Allura chimed in. "As well as the mice."
"Dibs on Scarlett and Shiro!" Pidge insisted.
"Okay, don't ask for my consent or anything," Scarlett drawled just as Shiro tiredly said, "This isn't team-picking for a kickball match, guys." Yet neither of them requested a change of driver.
Lance hesitated before glancing to their last rider. "Who do you want to ride with?" he asked Mari, mindful in keeping his question light and nonchalant.
She couldn't tell if they were respecting her boundaries and not pushing her limits by choosing for her, or if none of them actually wanted her to ride with them in their lion. She couldn't blame them if they were all still hesitant and preferred to keep a safe distance from her.
"Whoever will have me, I suppose," she muttered, trying not to sound too dejected as she defensively crossed her arms.
Keith and Lance opened their mouths, ready to volunteer, but Hunk beat them to it as his hand abruptly shot into the air. Beneath their surprised stares, the Yellow Paladin immediately grew sheepish and he quickly lowered his arm.
"I – Y-You can ride with me," he stammered, twiddling his thumbs. "Only if you want to, though."
Mari thought about it. She didn't think she was quite ready to be in an enclosed space with Shiro for hours on end. Nor with Keith and his intimidating mother and the wolf. And with the other paladins already taking two passengers of their own, it would only be fair to ride with someone else. And between Hunk and Lance, Hunk was the paladin she was least wary of.
"Thanks, Hunk," she said, giving him a grateful smile. "I think I will."
Hunk beamed and Lance looked admittedly crestfallen. Keith's poker face didn't even waver as he nodded in understanding. Full on leader mode, he jerked his head towards their lions, pressing forward with their departure. "Let's get going, everyone."
And then they were off, together and back on the space road, heading for Earth.
**Check out my tumblr to see some cool art: pufftheninja