Chapter 3

Leader to Leader

Kolivan was like a puzzle that was created with the most awkward and intinitally annoying pieces known to mankind. No matter what piece you picked up or how you turned it, it never seemed to fit into place. Right when you thought you had something figured it out, it turned out you guessed wrong and one side didn't fit correctly. Either you misjudged the size or shape of the hole you tired to force the piece into it just wasn't going to work. Not even a hammer could adjust it. For a brief moment, he wondered if all Galran where like that due to the fact that even Keith followed that same aspect of being utterly unreadable.

Kolivan had many sides to him and yet Shiro could never quite figure out his inner workings. Kolivan was the type of leader that never bat an eye at the many lives that had been lost under his command. He was a stern man who was set in his ways and would always remain inert. Sure, the man was a genius in certain aspects but more often than not seemed to have the emotional capacity of a rock. Granted, he could simply be misunderstand him or overlooking a fine detail somewhere. Perhaps, the gorilla leader had lived far longer than any human could ever hope too and thus had seen a lifetime of horrors that hardened in that way. Still, that would not justify his actions of abandoning someone under his command that was clearly still alive, regardless of the greater good. If there was a chance to go back and nab the former paladin he would do just that. He would grab him by the back of the his scrawny little neck like a misbehaved cub and promptly carry him away all while scolding him for causing mischief.

Regardless of the mission his paladin's, no, his friends came first. They would always come first no matter what. They were his family and Keith was a major part of that family whether he knew it or not. If only he could get Kolivan to see his viewpoint. He knew, that deep down, this fellow had a heart and feelings even if he had a tight hold of them. He had to be concerned about Keith as well, right? He couldn't be that stone cold to all the emotions. There had to be a chance to make him agree to either give him the coordinates to the planet or agree to help. At least, that was what he liked to believe anyways.

Their walk was moving at an easy pace down the long corridors of the castle. The white walls seemed far too bright for such a dim conversation that was about to go down. Shiro instantly felt dread run cold down his spine as they took a sudden turn. This acknowledgement of this destination meant one thing, this conversation would eventually end poorly the moment it would start. Taking another turn the white walls started to change into a gray tone and the warm teal lights had started to switch over into a brilliant red fluorescent.

"Kolivan," Shiro started softly to gain the blades attention. It worked for a mere moment as the larger individual spared him a glance before taking another turn. Shiro followed with a sigh. Yep, this was going to lead to a wonderful and heartfelt conversation.

Kolivan entered the hangar of the Red Lion. He stood tall with his arms crossed over his wide chest. Standing there in silence for a good moment he would finally turn towards the Black Paladin. Shiro met his gaze and crossed his arms as well, neither of them looked like they were going to budge on their view points. It really looked like to very uneasy and stubborn children staring at one another. Shiro would be the first to tear his gaze away to look at Red. She sat as still as a statue with no intention of moving or raising her barriers around her two visitors. She looked on at the two as if this was just some everyday common occurrence to be visited by a Blade and Shiro.

"Shiro." Kolivan stated softly to break the silence between the two leaders. "Has the lion moved at all since Keith's…" He paused to try to think of a better word to describe the situation. "...disappearance?" Not quite the word he wanted to used but it only seemed appropriate given the new information Pidge handed to them.

Dark grey eyes of the paladin narrowed slightly, "No. She's remained in her hangar as you see her now."

"And the other?" pressed Kolivan as if this was simply a day to day conversation.

Shiro's eyes narrowed even more as his earlier fears was starting to no longer need any confirmation. He hated to be right especially when it came to his gut feelings. Kolivan wasn't going to make this easy. "Black hasn't moved but that doesn't mean Keith isn't a part of this team." He pointed out clearly and firmly, knowing the card that was being pulled out and waved around at his face.

"Hmm, is that so? Tell me Shiro, how many pilots does it take to form Voltron?" Kolivan's mask phased out to reveal his yellow eyes staring into Shiro's as if he just won the argument. "I am no fool. I know many things and I know that your lions respond to their pilots. The red one has often flown to Keith's aid in his time of need on many occasions. Even your own lion has come to you regardless of who sets in the seat these beast respond only to their true paladin. I ask once more and this time directly, why are you wanting to rescue a pup that has no further use?" His voice was gentle but his words stern with deep curiosity on the matter. For the first time since they left the bridge it seemed like he was fishing for logic and a reason to act upon. Like he needed some kind of affirmation to roll into actions that went against his code of conduct.

Turning away from Kolivan's gaze Shiro merely looked up to Red and stared at her. For a moment, he wished she would do something even if it was just merely swatting at Kolivan for basically disregarding Keith completely as if he was nothing but another pawn to be used in a game. Keith was more than that to the team and to him as well. "It isn't a matter of "use". It doesn't matter if he can or can't pilot one of the lions. It doesn't matter how skilled he is or what he can do for us to further the cause." Shiro paused to gather his thoughts on the matter. It was true that Keith was no longer a paladin but it didn't make him useless. Shiro fully understood how it felt to stand on the sidelines and not being able to do anything. But unlike Shiro, Keith had pulled away on purpose believing it was best for the team.

"We're his family and we take care of each other. Keith has put his neck on the line countless times to protect each of us and while he is reckless he never gave up on any of us, including me. I won't give up on him. If there is even a tiny glimmer of hope of getting him home I will take it without hesitation. All of us would. No matter the cost."

"Even if it could be the downfall of Voltron?"

Shiro did not answer and there was a silence between the two leaders. "Without Keith, there is no Voltron." He would reply simply

A soft huff that sounded like very much like a chuckle came from the Galran. Concerned and largely stunned Shiro would once again, whip his head to the side to stare at Kolivan. This time though his expression clearly showed that he believe Kolivan might of just grown two heads. "A-are you laughing?" He questioned with disbelief after such a serious subject he expect much more from him. He expected a soft lecture or a mere disregard of his words but instead he saw a small twinkle in the eyes of a leader.

Kolivan seemed to take his time with his answer. "You reminded me Antok just then."

To be honest, he didn't know how to respond to that comparison. The late blade was a bit rough around the edges and had kept very much to himself. If anything he was pretty unapproachable and Shiro hardly could see the mirror image of that to himself. It must of showed on his face because Kolivan further explained. "Believe it or not, Antok had similar views as you. He considered every member of the Blades to be held dear much like a family of sorts. He detested leaving anyone behind even though its against protocol. He would often argue with me about it. Saying, there would be no Blades of Marmora without the trust and loyalty of our comrades. At times, he even would address it as caring for each team member." Letting his arms fall to his side held what looked to be a very faint smirk on his face but it only remained there for a moment before his usual scowl appeared. Shiro thought he might of imagined it. "In fact, he was quite fond of Keith even if he chose not to show it." Reflecting on the past the Galran would shift his weight to one side. "Tell me, Shiro, what was Keith best at?"

It was official, it was impossible to understand this guy no matter how hard he tired. He just seemed to jump around like some weird jack rabbit of subject matters. "Ah, beyond his swordsmanship? He was an expert in explosives. Why do you ask?"

Kolivan turned on his heels military style and started out of the hangar with one spare glance at Red who seemed to have cocked her head just slightly but then again that too might of been his imagination. "Jak and myself will accompany you to the base you seek."

"Wait, so you are actually going to help us? Why the sudden change? Isn't it against your protocol?" Shiro questioned quickly feeling as if a headache might suddenly becoming on. Kolivan sure knew how to give him a one when he wanted too.

"You said he was an expert in explosives. We need more who excel in that." With that said Kolivan left the hanger and disappeared around the corner in a casual manner. Now alone in the hanger Shiro shook his head with a sigh. His cybernetic fingers touched his temples but a small smile touched the corner of his lips. "Well, at least he does care in his own strange ways."

Sailing across the Galaxy in his personal cruiser Lotor looked as bored as he always did. Sitting slumped in his command chair with his head resting on one closed fist while his other hand held the Blades' luxite weapon. Lightly, he tapped it against his chair while clearly thinking hard on the matter. He paused his motions only for a moment to rotate the small blade in his hand. It was such a simple design but he knew this weapon had another state that would prove to be far more impressive. Yet, as much as he willed the blade to switch its form it refused to do so and he felt as if the weapon might just be laughing at him. Lowering the weapon he stood from his chair. Ezor looked towards him with a raised brow but didn't try to stop him as he left the bridge with a simple order. "Tell my father we will be returning shortly with a captive."

The doors closed behind him and he was on his way to the holding cell section of his ship. With his cruiser not being as big as most it wouldn't take him long to reach the holding cells. Flipping the blade around so the tip scrapped harmlessly across the metal wall. The blade came to a sudden halt as did he as he arrived at his destination. Flipping the blade around he quickly hide it away on his person. The promptly pressing a quick code he would enter the cell with the door left open behind him just to tease the idea of freedom to his captive.

A very unhappy captive who he couldn't see in the dark shadows of the ceil. Smart, he was avoiding the light which meant one of two things. He would either attack to escape or remain huddled in a corner. The last sounded unlikely and his first impression appeared to be true. The very moment he let the door stay open for more than five seconds a leg launched itself right at his face. Unimpressed but amused Lotor caught it with his free hand and pulled forward with the momentum. The blade weighed nothing to him but with the force of the momentum between them ended with his prisoners raised leg touching his forearm and the rest of him. Not quite what he had intended but he would roll with it even if he was in the others personal bubble by complete accident.

Lotor took this moment to size up his opponent who looked startled by being so uncomfortably close to him. He was smaller than him in both height and stature. Though as lean as he was he could certain see the muscles the boy had beneath and it wasn't anything to scuff at. Clearly, he trained often but he hadn't trained enough to keep his ass out of trouble it seemed. His mask,though, was still in place and was interesting sight. But what really caught his attention was that the blade seemed to have had taken care of his own arm. Having given the boy no medical care it seemed he made a sling out of his own belt to support the useless limb as well as to remind himself not to use it. Smart lad.

The hold must've been starting to strain his captive. The muscles in the leg twitched within his hold, vibrating the strain and discomfort within. He doubted the tremble was out of fear and to test that theory he tightened his hold. In an instant the Blade withered with a cry of pain. The idiot had tried to attack him with his injured leg instead of using it for balance. Perhaps, he thought of using his stronger leg for bracing would make it easier for him to recover after the assault. It was just a shame it didn't work out in his favor.

"I am not sure if I should chalk that attempt up as courage or foolishness." Amused, Lotor simply dropped the leg with a small shove nonchalantly before taking two steps into the prison with the door closing behind him, sealing them both inside for the time being. His prisoner had crumpled to the ground and landed on his better side. The pain seemed to have put him at a pause and gave Lotor just enough time to shove him over with one foot. Pressing down on his gut he leaned down to face the masked individual.

"Maybe a bit of both but that won't help you here. You're weak as a kitten my dear and completely at my mercy for the time being." His fingers lowered towards the mask and casually drummed at it much to his captives displeasure who swatted his hand away. Heck, he even tired to shift himself to remove the foot but that wasn't happening. "Though I do wonder, who is behind the mask? Who is stupid enough to have followed false information and live? Hm? Let's find out."

Fingers moved across the cold surface of the mask looking for the button that would make it fade out. The Blade's one good hand shot out and squirmed beneath him but he never spoke. He was as silent as a mouse. Most would be cursing his name. Yelling out idle threats and more. This fact made him far more curious because that led him to believe one out of two things. Either this person was unable to speak or was afraid his voice would be identified, meaning he had crossed paths with him before.

His index finger found the switch and pressed it. He would of had a lovely time staring at the fading mask if it wasn't for the fact the blade took a fist full of his hair that had been resting over one shoulder and pulled it sharply to the side. It wasn't enough to unbalance him but it certainly jerked his head down violently and force him to his knees. Gritting his teeth, Lotor took hold of the offending hand by the wrist and pressed between the wrist violently until the hand let go. Slamming the appendage to the ground he raised his head to look into a pair of the most vengeful pair of blue-grey eyes he had ever seen.

Hovering now above the wounded blade he knew who he had aboard his ship. This alone made the ache in his head much more bearable and worthwhile. "Well," He spoke through gritted teeth. "What a surprise, a Paladin of Voltron." If Lotor had been looking for verbal confirmation he wouldn't be getting it. Instead, the only confirmation he did receive was a straight on greeting from Keith in the form of a empowering headbutt. It seemed he never did know when to quite, did he?

Greetings everyone!

I hope you are enjoy the story so far. I feels good to be writing again after many years of not being able too. I must admit, this chapter gave me a bit of trouble because I really wanted to iron out a few prospective such as Kolivan and Shiros, who have two very different ideals on leading their teams. I hope to touch on more of that later. Though the story is a slow moving one I really hope you all stick around for the ride. Thank you so much for your support and reviews, favorites and more! I will do my best to get a chapter out each week if not more. I will also do my best to make sure my grammar and spelling isn't too hideous. My dyslexia at times gets in the way but I have been re-reading it to double check and might look into getting a Beta reader as well.

Again, thank you all and stay tuned for the next installment! I would love hearing from you all as well.

EpicBone