Chapter 7

Paladins of Voltron

Chezor could hear a faint electric humming sound around her. She opened her eyes to a sleep pod. The light blue barrier in fount of her tinted the room blue. Suddenly she heard a small beeping sound and the barrier de-materialized. Chezor stumbled out of the pod, feeling week and sore. Behind her she heard a metallic hiss. Turning, she saw the pod lower itself into the floor. She bent down to look at her leg. Her pant leg had been rolled up, probably to help the machine heal it. A faint pale scar in the shape of an X marked where the bullet had hit her. But there was no blood. She pulled her pant leg down to find no blood marked it either, although there was a hole. She shivered, feeling cold after her time in the pod. She looked over to see her jacket folded neatly on the floor. As she began to pull it on, a piece of paper floated to the floor, or at least it looked like paper. She picked it up and found Altayan righting on it.

Lions led us here. Altayan Castle with Altayan who knows about Voltron. Can't tell if I trust her. The Lions are safe and I have the gun with me. When you wake up, follow map. Waiting for you. I'll explain more when you get here.

Abby

The writhing looked hurried and messy. Chezor span the note around to find a map of Abby's location. Chezor stared at the map, thinking. Finally she tucked it into her back pocket and began following its direction. Wherever she was, the hallways seemed to have a collective thread of white walls and gray floors, lit by bright teal lights of glowing energy.

Finally, she found a large closed door with a large, glowing, teal V on its front. Seeing no handle or control pad around it she figured the door activated through motion sensors. As she walked up to the door it slid open almost soundlessly, revealing a large room with a floating table. Around the table, sitting on floating chairs, were her companions. Sitting on the table itself was a tan Altayan with dark blue hair fading to white. She wore a dark violet, long sleeved shirt, and black pants with a purple stripe on the sides. Her eyes and Altayan markings were violet. She looked about Chezor's age. "And that's why they call it a varga," she was saying.

"Wow," Alic said smiling. "How do you know that?" The Altayan shrugged.

"I read a lot. It helps keep me…" She paused seeing Chezor. She smiled, jumped off the table and walked over to her.

"Hello," she said, "glad to see you're awake."

"Chezor!" Alic shouted standing up. "How do you feel?" Chezor shrugged.

"Fine," she said eyeing the Altayan wearily. In truth she did feel tired but there was no way she was letting an Altayan know that. She sat down next to Abby, eyeing the gun she had strapped to her waist; at least if it came to it they would have a weapon to defend themselves.

"My name is Malena. Welcome to the Castle of Lions." The Altayan said, holding her hand out to Chezor. She eyed it then glared up at her.

"Charmed," she said sarcastically. Malena's smile faded and she pulled back her hand.

"I understand your hostility towards me," she said sadly. "I'm not proud of the things my people have done to this universe. I hope with your help we can restore it."

"Yea about that," Alic said raising his hand. "I'm all for saving the universe and all that but…..how are we supposed to do that?" Malena walked to the head of the table.

"You can because you are the Paladins of Voltron," she said. Paladins Chezor thought. The word was one she had always associated with honor and bravery.

"And what exactly does that mean?" Abby asked.

"It means you are four of the five chosen to pilot the Lions of Voltron," Melena said. "The most powerful weapon in the universe" Alic raised his hand.

"What?" he asked. Melena sighed.

"Forgive me," she said, "It's just that I've been waiting for you my entire life. I'm a bit excited. Let me start over. Around ten thousand years ago, back when the universe wasn't at war, King Alfor the great found a trans-reality comet that possessed more quintessence than anyone ever dreamed possible. Using the comet, he created five robotic ships, each capable of immense power. These five ships are called The Lions of Voltron." As she said this she pressed a hidden button under the table and holographic projections of the five robotic lions appeared. Chezor looked at them in shock. Melena continued. "These five lions possess the ability to combine into one robot named Voltron, the Defender the Universe." As she said this the small holographic lions flew upwards, and with a flash of light became Voltron. This was flowed by a stunned silence.

"I'm sorry," Chezor said, "this is just a lot to take in. I mean we already knew some things about Voltron, but this…." Malena nodded.

"I know," she said, "I apologies. But to put it simply, we are running out of time and don't exactly have much to waste." Chezor looked at the holoprojection of Voltron, feeling as if a heavy weight began pressing down on her shoulders. The weight of responsibility. Taking a deep breath she turned towards Malena and nodded.

"Continue," she said. Malena nodded and pressed a few more buttons. Voltron separated back into miniature lions. Chezor studied the last one. It was the largest of all the lions by far; it was black with red wings and had a silver spiked mane around it head.

"Each of the Lions," Malena said, "is different, so each requires a different type Paladin. They choose these Paladins based off of their quintessence. When a lion finds someone who matches their quintessence they choose them as their Paladins. The Red Lion is the Lion of fire and Voltron's Right Arm. As such they aid the leader as much as they can, leading when they can't," as she said this, the Red Lion walked over and stood in front of Chezor, its tail twitching, growling slightly. Chezor looked at it in surprise. Malena smiled and continued. "Like its Paladin, it's fierce and dangerous. It's also the most protective of its Paladin, and for good reason, seeing as they are known for recklessly charging into battle with no plan of foresight." The other Paladins glassed at Chezor who shrugged.

"Eh, guilty as charged." she said. Malena continued

"The Red Paladin carves its own path and never backs down from a challenge. However it is the fastest and the most difficult Lion to pilot, it requires a Paladin who relies on instinct rather than skill. It is also extremely temperamental and will only allow a Paladin who has proven them self." Suddenly the Green Lion walked over to Abby and laid down, its head perked up.

"The Green Lion is the guardian spirit of the forest and Voltron's left arm. It has the highest quintessence value which gives it a deep connection with life itself. Like its Paladin, it has a deep curiosity and is constantly searching for knowledge. It's the most adventurous of all the Lion and the most skilled at creating advanced technology." The Blue Lion then stood and sat in front of Celk.

"The Blue Lion is the guardian spirit of water and the right leg. It is the most accepting of Paladins than the other Lions. The Lions take Paladins that already are who they need them to be, the Blue Lion takes Paladins who can become who they need. Like its Paladin it possessed great confidence it its abilities. It also is the most adapt at swimming and is the fastest and most maneuverable Lion underwater." The Yellow Lion then walked over to Alic and laid down in front of him, its head resting on its paws.

"The Yellow Lion is the guardian spirit of earth and the Right leg, as such it's the Yellow Paladin's duty to keep their team strong and bonded together. Although the slowest of all the Lions it has the strongest armor, being able to withstand hit after hit without slowing. The Yellow Lion is a gentle giant. Like its Paladin, it's caring and gentle but will protect its team no matter the cost. And the Black Lion." Chezor turned to look at the Lion, expecting it to move towards Malena, but it stayed in at the center of the table, unmoving.

"The Black Lion, who resides in the Castle, is the guardian spirit of the sky, Voltron's head and Leader. It's the most skilled in battle, but needs a focused, determined Paladin as it requires the most energy from them. Its Paladin must be a natural leader, and born fighter." Chezor looked at the still Lion in confusion.

"Malena," she said, "who is the Black Paladin?" Malena looked away sadly.

"I…I don't know. You only arrived with four Paladins." Chezor looked at her in shock.

"What!" she said, "Are you sure?" Malena looked down sadly and nodded.

"So you're saying we are the last hope for the universe and we don't have a leader or a way to form Voltron! How do you expect us to do that!"

"I…I don't know!" Malena whispered. "Either the Lions didn't bring you to them or there simply isn't a Black Paladin." A strained silence filled the room.

"Who…who is meant to be our leader now?" Celk asked nervously.

"Well," Malena said, "The Red Paladin is supposed to lead when the Black Paladin in unable." Chezor froze, her heart hammering in her chest.

"What!" she shouted,."You expect me to lead!"

"We don't have another option!" Malena said, "Voltron needs a leader. You're the only one who can do it." Chezor's hands tightened into fists, anger burned in her.

"You're gonna have to find someone else to lead," she said. "I'm not a leader." She felt desperation flow through her, her heart beat with panic. She couldn't lead! She wasn't a leader! She wasn't even a team player! Chezor had always done everything by herself, she worked better alone, and although she never meant to, she tended to push people away. She had never wanted to be a loner, but her life had left her with little options. How could she lead when she could barely keep herself together? She didn't hear the rest of what Melena said. The Red Paladin just stood up and walked out. Not even pausing when she heard Abby calling her name. She wandered around the castle, thinking. Her arms folded over her chest.

Somehow she found herself in the Red Lion's hanger. She stared up at the massive red cat and sighed. The half Galra sat on the floor, leaning on her Lion's paws. "How am I supposed to do this?" she whispered. "I mean I've always wanted to fight in the war, to help. But this…this is insane! I can't…I can't lead these people. I don't even like most people!" She stared up at her Lion, thoughts racing through her head.

She sat there for hours, sometimes talking to her Lion, other times keeping her thoughts to herself. Finally Chezor reached a desertion. She stood and found her way back to the kitchen where Malena had told them about their Lions. The Altayan was still there when she opened the door. She looked up at her in surprise. "Chezor," she said, "I was wondering when you would return." Chezor looked at her in surprise.

"How, did you know I would?"

Malena smiled. "Because you're the Red Paladin," she said. "It would be against your nature to walk away from people who needed you." Chezor swallowed and looked down.

"I thought a lot about what you said…about leading Voltron. I still don't think I can, or should. But, the universe needs us. It needs hope. It isn't just about me anymore. It's about everyone. Voltron needs a leader, and…and it's my duty to say yes. They need me; I can't just sit back and watch the universe crumble anymore."

Malena's smile grew. "I'll inform the other Paladins," she said. "You'll all have a single Quintent to adjust to your surroundings and get used to your responsibilities. I wish I could give you more but we have a time shortage as it is. Tomorrow you'll see what it truly means to be a Paladin of Voltron."