Author's Note: So, here's another mini lions snippet, but this one I have to admit I got inspiration from both lanauu Pidge and Rover playing with Green post: post/151714144799/rover-playing-with-green-lion-cub-bd and Maskenjager Lance playing lasers with Blue post: post/151566044667
So thanks to them for that, and also a thanks to my husband for helping me come up with the different names for Altean tools
Chapter 6
Shiro was not the least bit surprised to see Coran, Pidge, and Hunk working in the hangar while Green and Yellow tussled with each other on the floor. He was admittedly a bit baffled as to why they were surrounded by a bunch of tool kits and had several tools spread out on the floor with various labels written on them.
Shiro exchanged a puzzled look with Black who gave no obvious answer, almost like she was aloofly saying "Don't ask me, I know just as much as you do."
"Okay, Coran what is this doo-hickey," Pidge said as she held up a spiral-like tool that seemed to glow.
Coran tugged at his mustache as he moved in for a closer look. "Ah, that would be a maldovrimer. It's used for some welding projects."
Pidge raised an eyebrow at the tool as Green poked her nose into the toolbox next to her and crawled inside.
"I'm labeling it as a welding torch," Pidge said as she wrote it down.
"Um, no you can't," Hunk said as he held up a purple piece of metal with a zigzag edge. "That's what we called this thing."
"Oh, but the zipcaster is for very miniature projects," Coran explained as Yellow poked at one of the tools and Coran shoved her aside with his foot. "It's a very delicate instrument."
"Okay, big welding torch and mini welding torch, let's move on," Pidge replied.
"What are you guys doing?" Shiro asked as he approached, able to no longer stand being just an observer.
"We're having Coran explain what exactly each of these tools are so we can label them into stuff we understand," Hunk said as he picked up a hand drawn chart. "See?"
Shiro glanced over it. He saw various drawings of alien tools he had seen Coran use, but Hunk's familiar handwriting was carefully written under each one.
"That makes sense," Shiro said as Black raised her head to see too. He frowned as he tapped a drawing near the bottom. "Wait, that's a wrench? I thought it was a flashlight."
Hunk chuckled. "Yeah, so did I, but turns out that's this weird thing on the right."
Coran huffed slightly. "They may be odd to you humans, but I'll have you know these are very basic tools used by-"
"Coran, what is this thing?" Pidge cut in as she held up a thin metal object with a loop at the end.
Coran frowned and suddenly snapped his fingers. "Oh, that's actually a teaching instrument. I have no clue how it wound up in the tools."
"A teaching instrument?" Shiro asked as he folded his arms while Black went to stretch out on the floor. "How so?"
"Let me show you, it's quite simple," Coran said as he picked up the small object and hit a button. A bright red beam zoomed out and the tip landed on the floor. "See, this is for pointing to objects too high up to reach normally."
"It's a laser pointer," Pidge stated in a matter of fact tone as she folded her arms unimpressed.
"Well, I suppose that's a word for it," Coran said as he spun the laser nonchalantly, "but it's actually refer to as a limindeek."
"No, she means we have the exact same thing on our planet," Hunk explained, "and we just call them laser pointers."
"Huh…it's not a very original name," Coran commented thoughtfully.
"No, it's a practical name," Pidge argued.
Shiro tuned out the discussion as he spotted Black moving closer to the red dot the laser formed on the floor. Her tail waved back and forth as she poked at it with her paw. He noticed the Green was eyeing the laser like it was a mouse from the toolbox, and Yellow kept peeking at it from behind Hunk.
Shiro grinned. Oh, he knew what he had to do. "Hey, Coran, can I borrow that?"
Coran frowned, but then gave a thoughtful frown as he turned off the laser. "Ah, yes, I see. This could be very useful in the next training exercise."
Coran seemed oblivious to the pout the lions were giving him.
Shiro gave a sheepish laugh as he ran a hand through his hair. "Um…not exactly." He pressed the on switch and held it out. "Watch this."
The tiny red dot appeared on the floor again and just as Shiro anticipated Black lowered her front. Shiro laughed as he waved the little dot back and forth on the floor, and it proved it was the final straw as Black leaped and pounced on the dot.
However, Black blinked in confusion as the dot was not within her paws, but a few inches away where Shiro moved it.
Green gave a growl as she jumped out of the toolbox and was followed by Yellow. All three lions growled playfully as they tried to catch the taunting red dot. Yet, despite their efforts, Shiro kept moving the dot again and again.
Hunk laughed as Pidge clapped in approval. "Good thinking, Shiro! I can't believe I forgot to try that!" she cried.
"I still don't understand what you're doing?" Coran said as he scratched his head. "Or why Green and Yellow are joining in on this?"
"It's fun," Shiro explained as he watched Green jump over Black to pounce. "We do this on Earth with cats all the time."
"Hmm…doesn't seem useful to me," Coran muttered. "And I'm not sure if the Princess would approve you tormenting the lions in such a manner."
"We're not tormenting them," Hunk replied. "Well…okay, it might seem like tormenting, but it's not a malicious tormenting, we're playing with them."
Shiro grinned as he turned off the laser pointer and gave it back to Coran. "Here, give it a try."
Coran looked doubtful, but reluctantly took the laser pointer. The lions froze as they stared hopefully with baited breath.
Coran straightened his posture and turned the laser back on. He moved the little dot in the centre of the room and jumped as Yellow pounced on it. However, he regained his composure as he accidently moved the dot to the left and saw Green and Black try to trap it between them.
As the lions gave chase, a smile gradually formed over Coran's lips. Before anyone else could mention it, Coran gave a hard laugh and was waving it madly.
"Oh my..Yes! Yes! Ha ha! Catch it you little rascals! My goodness this is fun!" Coran said.
Pidge laughed as she grinned evilly. "You bet it is, and I just got an idea."
Shiro laughed. "I know that look, what are you scheming?"
Pidge grinned as she looked very tempted to give an evil laugh.
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The recreation room was rarely quiet in Keith's experience, but when it was, he greatly enjoyed it. He sat on the couch reading over the battle report with Red tucked into his side as she dozed.
Lance was sitting across from him with Blue also napping at his side, but neither of them paid any attention to Keith. Lance was too preoccupied bopping his head to the beat of the music from his headphones. The fact that Keith could hear the music from where he sat made him wince.
He'll be lucky if he doesn't go deaf in his old age, he thought before returning his gaze to the report.
Then, all of a sudden, Red growled. Keith paused and glanced down. He was learning that Red had different growls and the meanings behind him. A deep growl was her being protective or annoyed. A long growl meant Red was angry. The soft growl either meant she was being affectionate or she was playful, the later usually resulting in trouble.
He watched as Red stood and stared directly at Lance with her whole front lowered.
"Red," he said as he went to pull her back. "Just what exactly are you doing-"
It was too late. Red pounced, sailed through the air and landed perfectly on Lance's chest. The boy screamed bloody murder as he fell over onto the floor.
Blue jumped and hissed irritated as Lance fumbled to shove Red off. Lance glared, but Red didn't seem to notice or care and seemed to be searching the room for something.
Lance then sharply turned his head as he removed his headphones. "Keith?! Why the hell did you tell Red to attack me?"
Keith choked and narrowed his eyes. "I didn't do anything!"
"Oh, so I'm suppose to believe Red did it randomly?!" Lance exclaimed as he climbed to his feet.
"You're the one that's always insists cats are unpredictable!"
Lance's angry scowl lessened slightly. "Yeah, well…okay, that's actually a good point," he said as he folded his arms. "But it's still suspicious-"
Blue's growl cut him off. Both of the boys turned to see that Blue and Red had both locked their gazes directly at Keith now. The small lions stealthly stalked towards him like he was a wild bird to catch.
"Alright," Keith said as he slowly tried to climb off the couch. "I'm just going to leave and-ARRG!"
The lions struck and in perfect unison attacked Keith. The Red Paladin's voice was muffled as the lions knocked him to the floor. Keith barely had a chance to groan before the lions lifted their heads and dashed to the other side of the room.
Keith opened an eye as Lance hovered over him.
"Oookay," Lance said as he offered a hand. "Maybe you didn't tell them to attack me."
Keith rolled his eyes as he took the hand. "Nice to see you believe me once it's obvious." He frowned. "But what is going on with…"
He trailed off as a flash of red caught his eye. He glanced and saw a red dot was on the floor making circles and also currently causing both Red and Blue to run around as they tried to snag it.
With no words spoke, Keith pointed at the red dot. Lance raise an eyebrow as he turned his head, but forgot his suspicion as he too saw the red dot.
"Where did that come from?!" he asked.
Before Keith could reply laughter was heard. Keith and Lance both recognized the laughter instantly and sighed.
"We know it's you, Pidge," Keith called out as Red ran by his foot to leap on the dot. "Come on out!"
Pidge continued to laugh as she entered the room carrying some kind of tool that glowed with the same shade of red as the dot at the tip. To Keith's shock though, she was accompanied by Shiro and Coran.
"No, Hunk?" Keith asked as he scratched his head.
"He's in the hall holding the other lions back," Shiro explained with a grin and shrugged. "Sorry, we couldn't resist."
"Where the Quiznack did you get a laser pointer?!" Lance cried as he lifted a leg to let Blue pass.
"It's called a limindeek," Coran stated, "but I understand it has the same principle as a laser pointer."
"Guys," Hunk's voice called from the hallway. "Hate to interrupt, but I don't think I can hold the lions back any- OH NO! LOOK OUT! LION STAMPEDE!"
Coran bolted out of the way as Shiro grabbed Pidge and yanked her to the side just as Green, Yellow and Black stormed through.
The Paladins and Coran watched as all mighty lions that formed Voltron, the greatest weapon in the universe, were all gleefully trying to jump at a dot that Pidge was now pointing at the wall with.
Hunk poked his head into the room and rubbed his neck. "Oh boy, this is getting a bit crowded."
"Indeed," Coran said with a nod. "We'd best end the game now, or we could risk dooming the furniture."
Lance frowned as he looked to the lions and grasped his chin. "I'd hate to end it now, Blue looks like she's having a ball." He snapped his fingers. "What we need is a bigger room for them to run around in."
"And where do we find that?" Pidge asked as she made the dot dance from side to side, to the lions' delight.
A thought struck Keith and he raised his hand. "I've got an idea," he said, and gave a small smile as he explained it to the others.
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It had been a very relaxing and very calming day, and for some reason that caused Allura to feel cautious. She had spent the morning going over maps to determine where they should head to next.
Allura hadn't even realized how much time had passed until she had glanced to her ticker and frowned. It was far past the usual time that Coran was supposed to fetch her to inspect the castle's weapons systems. What was keeping him?
She ventured into the hangar, fully expecting to see him hard at work with Pidge and Hunk, but found no sign of him. Allura then thought perhaps he might be in the observatory with Shiro, but didn't find either of them there. She became even more concerned when she checked the Paladins' rooms only to find each room deserted.
"Where did they go?" Allura commented aloud. "Surely, they wouldn't have left the castle."
A small squeak was heard and Allura glanced downward to see the space mice waving at her.
"Do you know where Coran is?" she asked as she kneeled. "Or the other Paladins?"
The space mice nodded and promptly scampered ahead to lead the way. Allura made certain to keep up and was a bit surprised to find that the mice had lead her to the training room.
"They're in there?" she asked. "But it's their day off."
A day off was rare for the Paladins, but when things were peaceful enough to have one Coran and Shiro constantly insisted they should take it. Allura was always hesitant to agree. With Zarkon looming over them, it always seemed foolish to take even a single day away from potential training the Paladins could be doing to secure their victory.
Yet, her father's words on how even the mightiest of swords need a day to rest would echo in her mind and she found herself agreeing to it.
So, it was strange to even imagine the Paladins being in the training room, except Keith who seemed to live and breathe in there at times.
A sudden yell was heard from within, a happy one that Allura was certain belonged to Lance.
"Yahoo! That's it! Go get it!" Lance cried.
"No, no," Hunk's voice called out. "We can totally win this!"
"Since when were we keeping score?!" Keith asked.
Laughter was heard and with it, Allura's heart soared. Was it possible the Paladins had decided that training was more important than taking a day off? Were they in their training because they had become so determined to restore peace to the universe?
Allura beamed happily as she reached for the door. She had to admit, there were times she doubted her Paladins, but she always knew they were strong.
Allura pushed the door open, her mind filled with praise and thoughts on how mature everyone had gotten. How proud she was of-
All thoughts quickly left her brain as she saw the scene before her.
All five Paladins and Coran sat on the sidelines cheering as they watched their lions race around the training room like it was a playground. She was perplexed at exactly why the lions were running around until she spied a red dot being caused by a limindeek held in Hunk's hand.
The space mice tilted their heads curiously as Allura stomped forward with her eyes twitching.
Hunk snickered as Yellow did a nosedive. "Okay, so after me it's Keith's turn, right?"
"I thought it was mine?" Lance argued.
"Ah, no dude, you went right before Shiro," said Pidge.
"I still say a chart would be most helpful," said Coran.
"What are you all doing?" Allura spoke in a brisk clear tone.
Everyone froze and sharply turned around. Hunk fumbled with the limindeek until he managed to turn it off. All five lions stopped chasing it and looked to Hunk like they were pouting.
"Oh, uh, hey, Allura," he said with a shaky wave. "We were um..training?"
Allura tapped her fingers against her elbow. "Oh, really? Because it seemed you were using the training room as a way to waste time." She marched over and snagged the limindeek from Hunk's hands.
"Just what were you doing?" she asked as she held up the tool. "Why in the world were you all tormenting our greatest hope in the universe!"
"Tormenting is an exaggeration," Keith muttered and Shiro poked his rib to be quiet.
"It's just a game, Princess," Coran informed her and held his hand up. "I swear, this whole thing is quite harmless."
"Yeah, and the lions actually get a huge kick out of it," Lance said as Blue raced up to rub her head against his leg. "Good way for them to get exercise."
"They're robotic lions, they don't need exercise," Allura insisted and held up the limindeek. "I will be safeguarding this for the time being, which I can't believe I have to say."
"Ah, come on," Pidge grumbled.
"No, buts and that's final!" Allura declared before spinning around on her heel and stormed out of the training.
The mice quickly climbed up her dress to sit on her shoulders as she walked.
"Honestly, I expect this kind of thing from the younger Paladins, but to see Shiro AND Coran both in on it is nonsense!" She ignored the sound of fast paced feet behind her. No doubt the Paladins asking to get their 'toy' back.
"Sometimes," Allura continued, "I feel like I'm the only mature person in this whole castle-"
A series of growls echoed and Allura jumped. She looked behind her and blinked stunned. All five lions were sitting perfectly like they were waiting for a treat.
"Um..what?" she asked. "Do you want something?"
Black gave a hopeful growl as she look longingly at the limindeek.
Allura's jaw dropped as she gestured to it. "Wait, you sincerely want this? You must be joking." She said as she held it in the air. "There are much more efficient ways to spend your time then frolicking after-"
Without meaning too, her thumb hit the button and the laser shot out. The lions jumped and growled happily as they watched the dot. On reflex, Allura swung the limindeek back and the lions bounded after it.
Allura spun around in alarm and the lions spun with her. She stumbled, but managed to regained her balance and paused as she watched the lions eyeing the now non-moving dot.
Allura raised a curious eyebrow and looked to the mice for advice. "Is it truly that entertaining?" she asked them and against her better judgement, swung the dot to the left.
Green hopped and jumped over Blue to get at the dot to which Blue gave a disgruntled growl before joining in on the running.
A giggle left Allura's lips as she then had the dot move to the right and watched amused as yellow and Black cut Red off to get at the dot.
She giggled even more so as she began to wave the dot around and watch the Lions give chase. "Hee hee, oh my this is fun."
"We. See. You." a voice taunted from behind.
Allura froze and fearfully turned back around to see Pidge's smirking face and everyone else standing behind with very smug expressions.
Allura hastily hit the off button, much to the lions disappointment, and hide the limindeek behind her back.
"I was merely testing…it turned on by itself," she stammered. "I would never…"
Pidge held her smirk as she extended her hand out. "Hand it over, Princess."
Allura sighed as she dropped the limindeek into Pidge's hand.
"For the record," Allura said as she tried to hold her head high as she blushed. "I still do not believe it is very dignified."
"Noted," Shiro said with a laugh, "but it is fun."
"Hey, how about we let the mice have a turn?" Hunk asked. "I bet they're itching to give it a try. They can finally give the lions something to chase that isn't, well, them!"
The space mice squeaked joyfully and they each gave enthused nods as Pidge handed them the limindeek..
"Alright, let's go do this!" Lance declared as he pointed ahead. "Laser point competition here we come - aaaand our next contestants are the one, the only, the space mice! They might be tiny and eat my snacks, but I'm sure they won't come in last-"
Lance blinked, eyes crossing to try to look at what he was pretty sure was a red dot on the tip of his nose. He looked down at the suddenly grinning mice holding the limindeek, and then up a bit to see five lions ready to pounce.
"…I'm rooting for you little guys?" Lance said with a shaky smile.
The mice squeaked and Allura quietly laughed. "Alright, now I really see how this is fun."
