Chapter 16: Saving the World, But at a Cost (Marinette's POV)

No! It can't be the end. She and the others can defeat Zarkon. The Castle is buying them time to recover. So she concentrates for the Red Lion to come back to life, to have renewed energy.

It doesn't take that long for Red to recover from the blast. She thrusts herself into battle, shooting at the robeast of Zarkon, to protect her newfound friends and the universe.

The others soon join her, and they begin, bit by bit, to destroy the robeast. She notices Black isn't up and moving. "Listen up! Shiro is still down so we have to protect him! Zarkon wants the Black Lion, so we've got to make sure this robeast doesn't end up with it."

Everyone nods and Lance gives her a smile, "Roger that!"

But as soon as she said that the robeast claws at Red and sends her spiraling. Marinette corrects herself. But the robeast keeps making swift movements that are faster than the lions. She and the others do get decent hits on it but it isn't enough to destroy the robeast.

Maybe she could use Lucky Charm. It won't erase the effects of the battle, but it might help them in this fight. Or not. Lucky Charm usually has a mind of it's own and she doesn't know what it could possibly manifest as. The best hope is for Shiro to wake up and help out with his lion.

She dodges another laser blast and fires her own.

Suddenly out of nowhere, Shiro's lion comes and zooms right for the robeast. It doesn't destroy the robeast, unfortunately. But Shiro's okay and that's what matters.

"Good to have you back." Marinette says to Shiro.

Shiro nods, "Now let's end Zarkon once and for all! Form Voltron!"

Marinette widens her eyes in surprise, the robeast they've been fighting has been Zarkon all along. If she knew that she would've taken the risk with her Lucky Charm ability. Anything to help stop this war from raging on. Perhaps she'll have a chance to use it during another battle?

A definite yes.

"I have my bayard. Marinette I think if we combine your sword with my bayard we might be able to break through Zarkons armor."

Marinette nods and punches her bayard in and twists it. After a moment the sword gets bigger and brighter, as if Shiro's bayard made the sword super-charged. She hopes this works as she slashes through Zarkons armor, but as she slices the blade into the armor, Zarkon grabs hold of Voltron.

Pain courses through her and she screams.

The lions get disbanded again, but the Zarkon robeast is standing still. She breathes a sigh of relief. They won, they really won! Zarkon is no more. She notices the Black Lion head back to the Castle. But it's eyes are dark and hollow. Not full of the glowing yellow she is used to.

Did something happen to Shiro?

Her beats faster as she and the others also head back to the Castle. As soon as she lands her lion, Marinette rushes out, and runs to the Black Lion's hangar. Fear grows with every step she takes.

The others have followed suit. When they reach the Black Lion it is collapsed, and unmoving.

She is the first one to step forward and climb inside the lion's big mouth. When Marinette reaches the pilot's room, she turns the chair to face her. Shiro's paladin's armor is here, but Shiro is gone.

It shocks her.

How can one just simply vanish?

Shiro's POV

His head hurts. His whole body hurts. But Shiro opens his eyes. The Astral Plane? How did I….

His train of thought dies when he sees his lion, standing over him. Like when he battled Zarkon.

"Do not be afraid cub," the lion speaks, it's voice male, but it is smooth and calm. Shiro doesn't know what to do. His lion has never spoken to him. Then he thinks of friends. He left them behind!

"Cub, your friends are safe."

But he doesn't hear any of it. I can't be dead, I can't. I have to lead Voltron, save the universe and then see Keith again! He has to see Keith!

A roar pierces his ears.

"Listen Shiro, your friends are fine. Your body took a lot of damage when Zarkon hit you with his blast. He was trying to kill you, which made his blast focus primarily on you. If you can leave the Astral Plane by yourself without my intervention, only then will you be able to see your friends again."

"So, I didn't die?" Shiro cries out in shock.

"No. But if I left your body you would have died a few minutes later."

Shiro is stunned by this revelation. He didn't die. And he can go back. He can go back! But who will lead Voltron in his absence? Marinette is a good choice, and so is Allura. And what about saving the planets under Zarkons control? No matter who Balck choses, they have to learn how to be comfortable with their lions. And who will fly Red?

Questions buzz around his head, but he shakes them off. He has to focus on getting back to them.

Marinette's POV

She slowly walks back to her room. Shiro is gone. Dead, most likely. Zarkon killed him. At least they managed to hurt Zarkon before more damage was done. "Tikki spots off." Her kwami floats beside her.

"How'd it go?"

Marinette takes a breath to calm herself, and she explains how she had to go aboard the Command Center, how Thace sacrificed himself, how she protected Shiro and how Shiro died.

"Shiro is dead?"

Marinette nods, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Telling everything to Tikki made it seem all the more real. And Shiro's death is all the more painful. She sits down and lays on her bed, trying hard not to cry. Tikki strokes her head, and she feels a little calmer.

But that still doesn't take away the pain. Shiro was their leader. Now someone has to take his place. But who?