**I do not own Voltron: Legendary Defender (duh)

CHAPTER 38: CHANCES

Following their launch back into space and the universal war against the Galra, many battles and negotiations ensued as they liberated territories one by one. Keith had a hell of a time discussing alliances with the subdued Galra forces. Often the words "traitor" and "disgusting half-breed" were spat back at him before Shiro and sometimes Krolia and Kolivan stepped in to assist. It was difficult getting such war-hardened warlords and pirate scoundrels to see reason, and their long hours of round and round talking frustrated Keith to no end. But he always kept trying, kept pressing for peace. Everyone deserved to live in harmony in this vast universe they shared, he constantly reminded himself. Everyone deserved a second chance, a helping hand. Even them, the stubborn Galra who wanted nothing more than a stable life.

But sometimes, this mentality of his was really tested. With the wary Commander Lahn. With Honerva, who was sending out more robeasts and enacting a who-knew-what sort of evil plan. And especially now with Zethrid, who was bent on killing him and the rest of the paladins.

She had cornered Keith on a cliff overlooking Fuigo's volcano, the bubbling lava pit at his back. He was drenched with sweat, the heat of the planet scorching him from all sides. His breaths came in short gasps, the oxygen scarce in the toxic atmosphere. Without air, without his armor and bayard, without the strength he needed to seriously pose a threat to Zethrid, he was exhausting himself in this losing battle against her. She was too big. Too strong. Too angry with him. He wasn't going to win this. She was going to kill him.

"You took Ezor from me!"

Ezor. She was doing all this for Ezor. Had she died when he and Acxa had escaped from their pirate cruiser? …No, she couldn't have. If Zethrid and the rest of her crew had lived, then so had Ezor, no doubt. But where was she? Why wasn't she with Zethrid? And how was her absence now his fault when she and Zethrid had both tried to kill him and the others first?

Keith panted, struggling to regain his bearings as Zethrid marched towards him, ready to finish him off. He wouldn't go out this way. He had to buy himself time.

"I don't know…what you think I did," he ground out, thin and ragged despite all the bite he'd tried to infuse in his tone.

Zethrid grit her teeth, her rage boiling at his ignorance. "You took away everything," she snarled. "And now my face will be the last one you see!"

With a furious shout, she charged, and Keith brought up his luxite blade to stop her blow. But she grabbed his wrist, almost too easily, and twisted it out of his grip. Her massive hand slammed into his face, her fingers curling around his chin and upper neck as she lifted him into the air. Keith grunted, clawing uselessly at her arm. Her grip tightened and his jaw screamed in protest as she squeezed him, ready to break him.

Then, the familiar whirring rush of the MFEs sounded overhead. Zethrid lowered him, shoving him into the crook of her elbow and locking him in a one-armed chokehold. She produced her blaster as Shiro and Acxa departed from James' hovering ship, hesitating in the face of the sudden hostage situation. Keith's heart raced, his eyes stinging from the heat and the embarrassed fury of being made a prisoner. Still, he didn't dare move lest Zethrid snap his neck.

Acxa was the first to risk shattering the tension, taking a step towards them. "Zethrid, don't do this!" she pleaded with her.

"I knew you'd come," Zethrid spat, her form rumbling all around Keith. "Now you will feel what I felt."

Acxa's frown deepened. From the indignant look in her eyes, Keith could tell she was just as confused and irritated as he was at what Zethrid was implying. Nevertheless, she continued, "It's over. You're surrounded."

"You think this deters me, Acxa?" Zethrid scoffed. "I welcome death, now that Ezor's gone."

Acxa was quiet for a moment. Then she closed her eyes and removed her helmet so she could confront her old friend face to face. "Zethrid, I know you hurt," she said, her tone gentle and deeply understanding. "Ezor hurt too. That's why she left you. She couldn't keep holding on to the anger."

Zethrid's stiffened, her teeth gnashing. "Stop!"

"Hear my words," Acxa insisted. "Remember how we first met. We were all so full of hate and rage, half-breeds rejected by the Galra. Lotor used us. He led us down a painful path, a never-ending cycle of destruction and loss. Now's your chance to break that cycle! With me, with Ezor. She wants you to leave the rage behind."

Zethrid hesitated, her resolve wavering. "I'm too far gone," she growled. "She'll never take me back!"

Her grip on Keith tightened and he screwed his eyes shut as her arm dug deeper into his jugular. He grunted and gagged, the little air he'd sucked in being squeezed out of him.

Panic flashed across Acxa's face. "Wait! Please!" she begged. "Don't let the rage control you!"

"All I have left…is revenge!"

Zethrid trained her blaster on Acxa and let loose a beam of deadly energy. It whipped past Acxa's ear, missing its mark. Not even a millisecond later, another shot rang out, the laser soaring from the darkness of the volcano's rocks and piercing Zethrid's shoulder. She screamed, losing her grip on Keith and her blaster as she stumbled backwards. He turned just in time to see her slipping off the edge of the cliff, destined to perish in the scorching lava below.

But it never happened. Before he could stop himself, before he could really register what he was doing, Keith was throwing himself after her. He clasped one of her outstretched hands just before she could fall out of his reach, and his heart leapt into his throat as he was nearly yanked over the ledge. His palms were sweaty as the intense wave of lava fumes engulfed them. His shoulders burned and his arms trembled from Zethrid's weight, threatening to slip from his grip at any second.

Thankfully, Shiro, Acxa, and Veronica were at his side in an instant, helping him to haul her up onto stable ground. The MFEs landed, prompting the Atlas' recovery teams to collect and treat their final pirate prisoners.

Keith sat on the ground, his hold tight on his recovered luxite blade. He watched as the crew dragged away an unconscious Zethrid, refusing to relax until she was out of sight. His inhales and exhales were heavy and deep as he struggled for a proper breath, and it didn't help that his throat was throbbing from where she had tried crushing him. When she was finally secured, the last remains of his energy drained and he let himself slump into Shiro's hold. Draping one of Keith's arms over his shoulders, Shiro lifted him to his feet with ease, leading him towards James' MFE.

"You okay, buddy?" he asked, his voice tight with worry.

"I'm fine," Keith wheezed between breaths, his voice painfully hoarse. He blinked past the stars in his vision, forcing himself to keep going, to keep walking.

"I'm sorry, Keith," Shiro whispered. "I should have realized sooner."

Keith shook his head. He wouldn't let Shiro blame himself for this. They had all been tricked by Zethrid's team. "It's okay. It's not your fault," he mumbled, casting him a scolding frown.

Shiro gave him a small smile in return and didn't argue with him. They loaded into the back of the MFE and they were off, leaving Fugio's harsh surface far behind them.

The sweet, sweet relief of clean and fresh and plentiful oxygen being drawn into his lungs really helped to clear Keith's mind. He hadn't expected Ezor to be on the Atlas now, along with a bunch of Galra runts. They'd all been rescued from an abandoned military academy on the frozen planet of Thoh while he and the others had been out searching for Honerva's robeasts. Mari, Acxa, and Veronica had promised them that they were on their side now and wouldn't cause any problems. Keith trusted their judgment enough to let the matter be.

Grimy and gross and wanting a shower, he laid in his med-bay bed, his limbs like jelly. The oxygen mask was still hooked to his face and the cooling patch on his raw throat soothed the irritated flesh to a pleasant numbness. In the nearby beds, the others conversed softly with their own visiting families and friends, frazzled from their ordeal on Fuigo.

"You smell like smoke," Mari noted, drawing his attention to her where she sat next to him. Then with a wry smile, she added, "And reckless hero."

Keith snorted, only to regret it as his throat flared with a fresh twinge of pain. He didn't think what he'd done was particularly heroic, especially considering Zethrid had been trying to murder them. His body had simply moved on its own, on paladin instinct to save a life, enemy or not.

Or maybe it was more than that. Zethrid had been misguided. She'd been hurting her whole life, ostracized and uncertain of her place in the universe. The one she loved the most, the one person who had accepted her and had been her solace, had left her. She was hurting, unsure of how to manage her anger and sorrow. She was just misunderstood. And like many of the other Galra in the universe, Keith was simply giving her another chance to start over, to make things right and find happiness in living the life she truly wanted.

He said nothing though, letting Mari hold his hand in her own. She soothingly rubbed her thumb over the back, rhythmic and gentle and warm against his skin. He let out a quiet breath and relaxed against the pillows, focusing on the comforting touch. He closed his eyes, unable to fight the encroach of sleep.

"I'm glad you're back," she whispered, giving his fingers a light squeeze.

Keith squeezed hers in reply. "Me too."

Honerva had put up a hell of a fight against Voltron and the Atlas. She'd torn her way through realities in search of her perfect one, only to be rejected and wind up in the strange realm that was the source of time and space itself. She had destroyed all other realities except for one, and now, they faced her in the heart of everything.

Home and hope for the future had never felt so far away before in this bright and blank place. Even if they did stop her here, there was only one reality to go back to. And the chances of it being their own were slim. Coran, Krolia, Matt, Acxa, the Blades, the rebels, their families, their homes…they'd all been destroyed by Honerva's selfish and merciless wrath.

Keith's anger flared and he struggled to stuff it down, very much aware of the mental connection he still shared with the others. He couldn't give in to the dread yet. He had to stay positive. He couldn't lose hope. He had to be patient and focus on the task in front of them, taking it one step at a time.

Always peace first before resorting to fighting.

They talked to Honerva, trying to get her to see reason.

Always give people the benefit of the doubt.

Honerva was in pain. She'd lost hope for the people of the universe, her perspective darkened by the violence of war and destruction. In all the lifetimes she'd lived, she couldn't find true peace and joy. She couldn't find her family, the one thing she truly wanted more than anything else.

Always help those in need, no matter how small or large their problems.

Allura reminded her of who she was, who her son was, how the two of them had once wanted nothing more than to preserve and cherish life. She reminded Honerva that she had once been a fiercely curious and caring woman. She reminded Honerva that there was more to life to love and enjoy.

Always consider the lives of your teammates and civilians before your own.

Allura held out a hand to Honerva. She asked her to help her fix this. To repair what had been lost. Keith couldn't imagine the details of how they would accomplish such a hefty task, but from the way Allura frowned, he had a feeling whatever she was planning wasn't good.

Always keep your guard up. Be careful who you trust.

Honerva agreed. She took Allura's hand, ready to start anew. Ready to give the universe a second chance.

And always, always be prepared for anything.

Allura and Honerva were going to sacrifice themselves, using what they'd learned in Oriande and the vast quintessence within themselves and Honerva's mech to restore all realities.

Keith was no stranger to changing plans, but he was not prepared for this. They were so close to the end. He was so sure all of them were going to come out of this alive. But now…this was happening. This new and abrupt curveball was flying straight towards them, and it was going to shatter their family. He couldn't lose someone important to him again. He had to stop this. But for once, he had no idea how he could. This was something that only Allura could do, and there was no deterring her from saving all realities, saving all of life itself.

Lance wasn't having it though.

"What?" He looked like his heart was being ripped right out of his chest, fear and agony etched into his expression. He shook his head, refusing to let her go. "No. No, no, you can't! What about us? What about our promise?"

"I'm sorry, Lance," Allura whispered, her eyes shimmering with sorrow. "But this is our only chance to undo what has been done, to save all of existence. …I have to take it. It is my purpose. Your paths go on. Mine ends here."

"But…But there is no Voltron without you," Hunk sniffled, the tears falling fast.

"Voltron isn't needed anymore," she said, standing before her Yellow Paladin. "The rest of the work is up to the people."

"And that is why we will be going in your stead."

Suddenly, a warm and golden light washed over the space. Black's roar rang in Keith's ears and the lions appeared before them, the five paladins of old standing at their feet. Queen Melenor, Allura's mother, was amongst them as well. Even Lotor was there, standing side by side with Zarkon.

"My son…" Honerva murmured.

"It's the original paladins!" Pidge exclaimed.

"And Lotor," Hunk squeaked, skeptically eyeing the Galra prince.

Keith stared at them, just as wary as he was surprised by their arrival. "What are they doing here?"

"We're in the consciousness of all existence. We're all connected here, with the lions and with the souls of the dead," Scarlett realized.

Allura blinked at her parents, swallowing back her confusion. "Father…What are you saying?"

Alfor's eyes crinkled as he looked at her. "I created the lions using the knowledge I gained from Oriande. And the quintessence within them has only grown stronger through the bond you share with your friends. I am so proud to have seen how much you've grown," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. He regarded the five lions looming over them, a sad but steadfast resolve in his expression. "But the universe no longer needs a power as great as Voltron's. I brought the lions into our world, but now it is time I use them to help restore what was lost. It is time for you, Allura, to finish what was started and unify our people, without the Voltron lions."

Allura looked at her father and then at the souls of his closest companions, each of them granting her an encouraging smile and nodding in agreement. She glanced at her own team, her fear and uncertainty wavering, before turning back to him. "Father…Mother…Everyone…"

"Our time is up in this world. It has been for a long while." Melenor smiled softly as she took Allura's hands in her own, giving them a gentle squeeze. "You do not need to needlessly sacrifice yourself. Live out the rest of your life, Allura. Be with your family."

"We will always be with you," Alfor assured her.

Allura's tears flowed, the light returning to her once despairing eyes as she embraced her parents. "Thank you," she whispered. "I love you both, so much."

Alfor and Melenor held her close, relishing their final moments with her. "Goodbye, Allura," they murmured.

They kissed her forehead before pulling away from her, permitting Allura to step back. Lance came to her side, slipping his hand into hers and holding it tight.

"You'll take care of her, won't you?" Alfor asked, addressing their group as a whole.

"We will," Lance spoke for all of them, sounding more certain of this than anything else. "Always."

Alfor smiled. "Thank you," he said, his fingers intertwining with Melenor's. Then turning to Honerva, he jerked his head towards Zarkon and the others. "Are you ready for another adventure, old friend?"

The tension left Honerva's shoulders and she smiled. "I am," she decided, and Zarkon and Lotor welcomed her with open arms.

Casting them one last look, Alfor and Melenor turned to join her and their friends. "Say hello to Coran for me, once you return," he called over his shoulder with a half-hearted chuckle. Then he and his companions entered the light, their forms dissolving.

The lions stood, their eyes bright as they locked gazes with their respective paladins. Keith glanced between Black and Red, caught in the yellow glow of their intelligent eyes. His heart ached as their growls rumbled in his mind, grateful. Protective. Loving.

Once again, the lions were saving him and the others. Voltron really was the key to saving the universe, to saving all of existence. He had so much to say, so many things to be thankful for, so much to reflect on. He'd only been a paladin for a few years, but that short time had changed his life forever, more than he ever could have imagined. And now it was coming to an end with the lions.

Goodbyes were so hard. But he had decided long ago that he would rather say goodbye than leave things left unsaid, emotions unshared and moments taken for granted.

He thanked Yellow for its sturdy spirit, for always protecting Hunk and holding up the rest of their team.

He thanked Green for its daring and curious heart, for connecting Pidge to the world around her.

He thanked Blue for finding him, for calling out to him in the desert when he'd been at his lowest point. For waiting so patiently for Lance to find it. For helping Allura discover her calling as the heart of Voltron.

He thanked Red for accepting him, for saving him so many times without question, for cherishing his life when he hadn't. For choosing Lance and boosting his confidence, bringing out his full potential as a pilot. For giving Keith the best right hand he could ever ask for.

Finally, Keith thanked Black for saving Shiro. For guiding him. For being patient with him. For helping him find himself. And most importantly, for believing in him when he hadn't believed in himself.

The lions purred, low and tender and warm, accepting the complex emotions churning within him. No words were spoken, but a wave of sensations and a proud and all too familiar energy washed over him in a symphony of triumphant roars.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Thank you for hearing us.

Thank you for bringing everyone together as a leader.

Thank you for being our precious paladin.

All these feelings and more surged through him, bringing him comfort in their unexpected farewell. They gently tugged at his soul, engraving themselves in his very being, a silent reassurance that their bond would remain, even after they were long gone. Keith's eyes stung, but the tears never fell. No matter how much time passed, he would always be a paladin. A cherished member of Voltron and a wonderful part of their strange lives, never to be forgotten.

Letting out one last roar, the five Voltron lions took to the air, flying in formation and leaving streaks of color in their wake as they followed after the souls of old into the light.

A beat of silence passed. Then two.

The core of existence suddenly shuddered, and with a deafening BOOM, countless strands of restored realities webbed out all around. Another flash of white engulfed them, and weightlessness overtook them as they were expelled from the source of everything.

Existence was getting another chance. They were getting another chance. Another chance at life and creating the peaceful future they had always wanted. Keith promised himself they would never take it for granted.

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