Things seemed to be going really well. The Arusians were super friendly and it was a nice day – or, at least, it seemed like a nice day by Earth standards. For all Lance knew, this was mediocre weather on Arus and an actual nice day was postcard-beautiful.
"Well, we always did wonder if aliens were real," said Hunk.
"Dude," said Lance, "Allura and Coran are aliens too."
"Uh, yeah, but these guys are, like, alien-aliens," said Hunk. "Allura and Coran just look like elves."
Lance paused, opened his mouth to argue, and shut it again.
"Okay," he said. "This is true."
"See, they're really old like in Lord of the Rings," said Hunk. "And they have the pointed ears."
"Eh, they don't look like Tolkien's elves," said Lance.
"You're right," said Hunk. "More like Real Magic elves."
"Yes," said Lance. He paused. "Woah, dude, you're actually really right. If Allura dyed her hair pink, she could totally be Keira!"
"Who's that?" asked Coran. Lance almost jumped, mostly because he hadn't expected the man to appear next to him.
"Oh, book character," said Lance.
"Ahh," said Coran. "Altea had so many good authors. We have a vast library in the castle, in fact!"
Hunk and Lance exchanged looks.
"Got any cheesy teen romances?" asked Lance.
"Dude, no!" said Hunk. "Fantasy is the way to go, fantasy and sci-fi."
"Our lives are sci-fi now," Lance pointed out.
"That doesn't make sci-fi any less of a great genre," said Hunk.
"Fair, fair," said Lance. "And what do you have against cheesy teen romance novels?"
"Uh, everything?" said Hunk.
"I'm not entirely sure what cheesy means," said Coran, "but we do have plenty of romance novels!"
"Sweet!" said Lance.
Hunk groaned. "Please, don't, he'll stay up all night crying."
"I will not!" Lance protested. "I–"
There was a sudden tremor that almost knocked an unprepared Lance off his feet. Coran caught him and steadied him, gripping his shoulder tight as alarm flickered across his features.
"Uh, what was that?" said Hunk.
Shiro's voice suddenly filtered through the comms. "Team, come in. We need back up. Hello?"
"Shiro?" said Allura worriedly.
"Where is everyone?" he asked.
"What's going on?" Keith demanded.
There was another tremor. Lance didn't almost fall this time, not with Coran still steadying him.
"Oh, no," he breathed.
"We have to get to our lions," said Keith.
"We left them back at the Castle," Lance realised. "Why did we leave them back at the Castle?"
Coran tightened his grip protectively on Lance's shoulder.
"Everyone," Allura called to the Arusians, "get inside and stay down."
"I'm on it," said Hunk, following the Arusians towards their houses. Keith reached out and grabbed the back of his suit.
"Not you!" he said.
"Well, we better run to the Castle," said Coran.
"You go," said Allura. "I will stay with the Arusians."
Coran watched her a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Princess."
Lance grimaced. "Well. Let's hope we don't run into trouble on the way."
Lance considered himself fairly in shape, especially with all the training he'd been doing thanks to Allura, but he was very out-of-breath by the time they reached the Castle. He leaned on Coran – who, of course, was fine, absolutely fine.
"You've been asleep for ten thousand years," he said. "How are you not dying right now?"
Coran blinked at him. "I fail to see why these are correlated? I assure you that I'm in perfect health! Er, all you alright, my boy?"
"I'm going to need a moment," he admitted.
"We don't have a moment," Keith snapped. "Get to the Blue Lion. We have to go help Shiro and Pidge."
"Yeesh, I know, I know," said Lance. "Count yourself lucky, you Altean superman."
Coran looked confused, but Lance didn't stick around to explain, running for his lion's hangar and cursing his flimsy human lungs for not having the same capacity and strength as Coran's Altean ones.
Blue was ready for him the moment he skidded into the hangar. He barely stopped before running inside to her cockpit and sitting down.
"Hola, mi amor," he said. "Let's go save Shiro and Pidge, then."
She purred in response as they rocketed out of the hangar and into the Arusian sky. The other lions joined them shortly afterwards.
"Hey, uh, guys, can you send your coordinates?" asked Hunk.
"Or we could just follow the column of smoke," said Lance.
"Yeah," said Pidge, "follow the smoke."
"Oh," said Hunk, sounding resigned and disappointed, "I was hoping that was an oddly timed coincidence."
"Alright, Blue, babe," muttered Lance, "let's go."
Luckily enough it seemed that the smoke was definitely the right place to go. Lance caught sight almost immediately of the Black and Green Lions – and the giant robot that was currently attacking them.
"Oh, boy," said Lance in horror.
Blue growled protectively.
"Alright, babe, let's get that thing," said Lance.
"We need to lay down some cover fire so Shiro and Pidge can get out of there!" Keith exclaimed over the comms.
"No kidding," said Lance. Blue started firing lasers at it at the same time Red did. Yellow, on the ground, rushed forward.
"Check it out!" said Hunk. "Battle-lion head-butt!"
Yellow slammed into the robot. It stumbled and fell. There was a flash of amusement from Blue, tinged with sadness that suggested to Lance she was remembering something from before – perhaps Hunk had reminded her of her old paladin, or the old Yellow Paladin, or something like that.
Green and Black and then finally Yellow rejoined Blue and Red in the sky as the robot struggled to its feet.
"So, uh, I'm guessing the Galra are behind this?" said Hunk.
"I think so," said Shiro. "I've never seen anything like this, though."
"Do we have a plan?" asked Lance. "Shoot at it with everything we've got? Take out its weapon? Call it names?"
"Well, I know one thing for sure that we need to do," said Shiro. "Form Voltron!"
Lance shrugged, and the five Lions flew upward in formation. Forming Voltron came much more naturally this time, and Lance was hit by a rush of emotion from his teammates – Keith's frustration, Hunk's fear, Shiro's determination, Pidge's utter disappointment and anger with the robot.
Why was Pidge disappointed?
He sent some curious vibes towards his smaller friend. In return he got an angry push-back. He let it go for now, because right now they needed to fight the robot beast. Robeast? Robeast sounded good.
"Remember, team, we're one unit fighting with one goal," said Shiro.
The robeast send its weird orb thing flying at them. The dodged fluidly, and Red launched forward in a punch that should have knocked the robeast flat on its mechanical back.
Instead the robeast caught the punch. Green countered with a nice uppercut to its head. It stumbled backwards. Voltron launched forward to smash it down, which should have work, except that the robeast caught that too. It made a weird gesture, and a second later Lance realised it was calling that orb back to it – just in time for the orb to smash into Voltron.
They came to their senses just in time to rocket away from the orb a second time.
"I thought Voltron was the most powerful weapon in the universe!" cried Keith.
"Yeah, well, this monster is kicking our butts!" wailed Hunk.
"It's been ten thousand years," Pidge reasoned. "I guess the Galra have advanced past Voltron–"
There was a sharp spike of indignant annoyance from all of the lions at this comment. Lance sent a soothing apology towards them.
"It's coming back around," warned Shiro.
Lance caught sight of something else out of the corner of his eye. "Wait, look out–"
Too late. The robeast body-slammed them and sent them flying over the ridge of a mountain. Lance groaned as the cockpit rattled with the force.
"Oh, no," breathed Shiro. "It's the village."
"The Arusians," Lance realised. "Allura – we have to protect them, lure it away!"
They were hit again, and this time barely managed to avoid crashing into the village.
"That was too close," said Shiro.
They flew forward, away from the village, and the robeast followed.
"Why do all the evil ships follow us?" lamented Hunk.
"Well, at least the Arusians are safe," said Pidge, "but now what?"
"I've got an idea," said Lance. "I'm gonna power-kick that orb thing."
Blue sent feelings of encouragement, like his parents and siblings cheering him on from the audience when he was in that play back home. Lance was glad she, at least, had faith in him.
"No," said Keith, who obviously had zero faith in Lance's skills. "The last time you tried to do a kick, we fell."
"That was then, this is now," Lance reasoned as Voltron rocketed forward. Blue was practically chanting KICK KICK KICK KICK in his head, though it was less of a chant than a feeling like a chant – it was basically a chant though, come on.
The robeast threw the orb at them again. Lance gave a fierce war-cry. Blue eagerly joined him mentally.
The orb was not where the orb was supposed to be.
They missed.
"Oh, no," Lance said. Blue echoed the sentiment in their bond.
The orb collided with Black and sent them all spiralling to the ground.
"Wow, how'd now work out for you?" asked Keith.
"Shut your quiznak," grumbled Lance.
"Still doubt you're using that right," said Keith.
"Boys, knock it off," snapped Shiro. "Pidge, fire your lasers, now!"
"Got it, cap," said Pidge as Voltron stood. Blue sent a warning in Lance's head just as, instead of lasers, a shield formed in front of the Green Lion. This was followed by a sheepish feeling that roughly translated to, I tried to warn you.
Pidge made a few confused and alarmed noises as Shiro exclaimed, "Hey, no, lasers, lasers!"
And then they were hit again. And once more.
Lance sent a mental apology to Blue and, really, all the lions for the huge beating they were getting.
This was pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
"If we focus on the orb, we're blindsided by the monster, and if we focus on the monster, we get the orb!" said Hunk.
"Then what do we do?" Lance asked angrily.
"Orb!" cried Pidge just in time for it to slam into them once again.
Keith said a very inappropriate word, then followed with, "Shiro, we gotta move."
There was a brief silence. Black was radiating worry, and Shiro – Shiro was radiating pure terror.
"Shiro?" said Lance hesitantly.
"Shiro, are you there?" Keith demanded.
"Shiro!" called Pidge.
"Guys, something's wrong," said Hunk.
"I know that sound," Shiro whispered. "I – in the arenas – in the fights–"
Oh, no, no, no, Lance was not qualified to help Takashi Shirogane work through a PTSD flashback in the middle of a battle against a crazy evil robot.
"Shiro," said Pidge hesitantly.
"I know how to beat him," Shiro said firmly, resolute and grimly determined. Lance was secretly relieved; it seemed Shiro was alright, after all. Maybe Lance was wrong – not a PTSD flashback, just briefly remembering the sound
They dodged just in time to avoid getting smashed by the robeast.
"Listen," said Shiro. "There's a loud sound when the orb returns to the weapon. Every third time it needs to charge – and that's when we strike. That's it's weakest point."
"And what do we do while we wait?" asked Hunk in alarm.
"Defence!" said Shiro, like this was Sunday night football and not a battle that could kill them. "Pidge, we're gonna need that shield."
"Alright," said Pidge warily. He brought the shield up just in time to block the orb, though Voltron was pushed back several feet.
"Two to go," said Shiro.
The second hit. Lance and Blue had to steady Voltron as it almost stumbled and fell from the force.
"We can't take much more!" warned Hunk.
"Last one!" said Shiro.
This hit sent the shield breaking apart and flying. Voltron stumbled and fell to its knees.
"NOW!" yelled Shiro.
Red sent a laser at the robeast. It fell to its knees this time, obscured by smoke.
"Alright!" said Lance. Blue, in his mind, roared triumphantly.
The robeast stood back up. Lance and Blue promptly stopped cheering, mirror each other's horror.
"It didn't work," breathed Pidge.
"Now what?" Lance exclaimed. Blue gave a mental, mournful wail, starting up her mantra of NOT MY PALADIN again even as Lance tried to sooth her. It saddened him – his poor girl was probably traumatised by the loss of her creator and her first pilot, and they just kept making things worse with their ineptness.
They were hit again.
"I had a sword last time!" Shiro said helplessly.
"Well, that's great," said Lance. "Where do we get a–"
"Orb! ORB!" cried Hunk.
This one hit as well. Lance hit his head hard on the back of the seat. He saw stars for a moment. Blue wailed louder.
"We can't take another shot like that," said Pidge.
Blue's wails turned angry, and from what Lance could tell they were almost – definitely – directed towards the Red Lion. There were still no words, but Lance got the basic feeling of, I know he's not Alfor, but give him a quiznaking chance!
He understood it moments later.
"Wait," said Keith. "My lion's telling me what to do."
Blue suddenly felt smug. Lance gripped the controls tighter. "Lions know best, dude, so go for it – and hurry! Third shot incoming!"
The shot hit them. They went flying, skidding painfully across the ground. Lance hit his head again, and felt the beginnings of a dull headache blooming. Blue was tense – well, not literally, but she felt tense based on their mental connection, anyway.
They pushed themselves up. The robeast ran at them. Keith gave a fearsome battle-cry, and suddenly Voltron was swinging a sword at the robeast. It landed behind them. They held their surely awesome and heroic pose as the robeast exploded – like the main character of an action movie. Lance let out an elated, shocked laugh. The others joined him in cheering, as did Blue.
"How did you do that?" asked Hunk.
"Woah," said Keith fondly, "thanks, Red."
Blue was sending less thanks and more I told you so Red's way. Lance laughed again and shook his head.
They'd done it.
By some miracle – apparently by Red giving Keith a chance – they'd won.
"Good work, gang," said Shiro. "Let's get back to the Castle."
Coran greeted them at the Castle, laughing and cheering for them as they arrived.
"You had me on edge, for a moment there!" he declared, slinging and arm around Lance's shoulders. "You all did good, very good!"
"Heh, thanks, Coran," said Lance.
"Well, we're getting there," said Shiro. "We may have won today, team, but we still have a lot of work to do."
"Can that work wait?" asked Hunk. "'Cause – 'cause I'm, like, starving."
Coran perked up. "Perhaps I can–"
"On second thought I'd rather take a shower!" Hunk exclaimed.
"Yeah, same," said Pidge.
"Me, also," said Keith.
"What do you know, I probably need one too," said Shiro. All four of them took off.
Coran glanced to Lance. "Do any of them know where any of the showers are?"
"I don't think they do," said Lance.
"Hm," he said. "What about you, my boy? Care for some cooking with Master Chef Coran?"
Lance thought briefly back to the Paladin Lunch and almost said no, but the eagerness on Coran's face stopped him.
"You know what?" he said. "I think so. Maybe I can show you some Earth recipes. Man, you have not lived until you've had my Mama's enchiladas. Real, proper enchiladas, not the stuff you get at Wal-Mart."
"I don't know what that is," said Coran.
"You're gonna love it, my man," Lance assured him. "Ah – you'll need to show me where the kitchen is though."
Coran chuckled. "Right this way, my boy. Just follow me."
A/N: I may have snuck in a teensy bit of shameless self-promotion in here, since, you know, I saw my chance and took it, so - yeah! I have also written original books. My first trilogy is called What is Real Magic? and you can find the first book, Courage, on Amazon right now by Kailynn Hanners (aka me)! I'm kinda hoping some of you may check it out? It's my baby and I love it and the rest of the series very dearly.
Anyway, I hope you guys liked this chapter. I totally headcanon that Lance would read cheesy teen romances and Hunk would so be into sci-fi stuff. Also, lots of Coran and Lance bonding in this chapter! I love you guys so much! Thank you for the reviews and faves and follows and just for reading this mess! 3