"Alright paladins, I am going to start the gladiator." Allura announced from the control room. You were in her arms and watched as the guys fought the 'big mean robot'.

In seconds, a tall, slim, yet powerful robot emerged from the ceiling and landed with a loud thud. The paladins got in a defensive stance and readied themselves when the robot charged at them.

From time to time, you would gasp when the robot would swing his blade too close to one of them or when someone was pushed back.

"Don't worry Y/n, they are strong." Coran assured and gave you a playful wink. You smiled and looked back at the Paladins. You believed in them and knew that they could win any fight!

"Go Paladinsh!" You shouted, not knowing that your little voice could be heard throughout the whole training area through the speakers.

Lance was the first to look over in your direction and gave you a wink.

"Don't get distracted!" Keith yelled, having to block a hit that was meant for Lance.

"Right!" Lance then brought his full attention back to the training exercise.

You watched eagerly as they worked together to eventually defeat the evil robot.

"Good job!" Coran complimented once the simulation was over. He walked over to you with a big grin on his face. "Would you like to go see them?" He asked you. Your eyes shined at the thought and you nodded your head furiously.

"Are you sure this is alright?" Allura asked Coran.

"Of course princess!" She set you down and you walk you over to the group while holding onto Coran's hand.

"Why is she here?" Keith was the first to ask while putting away his Bayard and crossing his arms over his chest

"She's going to be a part of the new exercise!" Coran said simply as he sat you down in the middle of the training ground.

"What!?" Keith exclaimed.

"I just thought you all should have a bit more of a motivation on the whole 'protecting' part."

"Coran, don't you think this is a bit, I don't know, dangerous??? I mean, she's just a kid, what if something bad happens? What if she gets hurt? What if we ALL get hurt?" Hunk rambled on.

"Don't worry, It'll be fine! This exercise is very similar to a game the Altayen children would play!" Coran bent down to be at your height. "Would you like to play?" He asked you kindly.

You raised your eyebrows and looked at the worried faces of the Paladins. Nonetheless, you nodded your head in agreement.

"Good! Now all you have to do is close your little eyes and cover them with your hands." You nodded in understanding and did as the mustache man said. "Now when I say 'Go' you shout out the name of the Paladin you think will win. And no peeking! okay?"

"Okay!" You said, getting excited about what was to come.

"Alrighty then, Paladins, this is a game we like to call, last one standing. It's very simple, you must all make sure Y/n is safe and the last Paladin standing wins."

"Seems simple enough." Pidge shrugged her shoulders.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Asked Shiro worried about whether or not this was a good idea.

"Of course!" Coran then walked out of the training area. "This is a safe exercise as long as you don't let the gladiator hurt Y/n."

"What?!"

"Go!" You heard Coran shout.

That was your cue!

"KEEF!" You shouted, placing your bet on him winning. Everyone turned to look at Keith but he was too busy looking at you in shock.

I barely know you! Why me?!

"Alright everyone, focus on the task at hand." Shiro said calmly as everyone turned their attention to the Gladiator that fell from the ceiling and started rushing towards the group.

Instantly everyone was on high alert and had their weapons ready. Keith and Shiro were right in front of you while hunk and Lance were on the sides, shooting the opponent from a distance. Pidge was on the front lines and threw her whip and tied the gladiator together while Lance and Hunk would shoot at him.

But this wasn't like other times.

The gladiator broke free easily and took out his staff and brought it down on Hunk, catching him off guard

Hunk tumbled to a side then it went for lance, but not before Pidge lassoed his feet together, giving Keith an opening to try and cut the robot down. But he was fast and counter attacked with his staff, making Keith's blade fall out of his hand.

"What kind of games do Altayen kids play?!" Asked Hunk in pain.

Shiro then rushed forward and went for hand to hand combat. But as soon as he started, It was already getting difficult to keep up with him.

Did Allura give us a level harder?

Shiro was pushed back, leaving his stomach wide open for the gladiator to punch him. He doubled forward and coughed.

"Daddy?" You asked out loud. You were about to uncover your eyes but you remembered that you promised not to peek.

Shiro turned to look at you and the Gladiator was already on his way over to you. But thankfully, Lance shot his shoulder blade, causing the robot to stumble away from you. He then turned his attention to Lance and shot a laser from his staff at him.

Lance had never seen that kind of defense from any of the times they would train so he was caught off guard and got a direct hit. Pidge then ran over to the gladiator and electrocuted him, but not even that got to stop him, it only made him angrier.

He turned abruptly and kicked Pidge to the far corner of the training ground.

You flinched hearing a series of thuds.

Shiro got to compose himself and got back on his feet, the only people left standing were him and Keith.

The two of them exchanged an anxious glance and charged at the enemy. They were close and about to land a hit on him but the gladiator jumped high and landed on the other side; where you were.

The duo looked shocked and Keith was the first one to run back and block the staff that was about to hit you with his sword. He pushed with all his strength but the gladiator then took a side step, causing Keith to stumble forward and leave him open for a kick at his side, making him stumble and fall on the other side.

But what the Gladiator didn't count on was Shiro stabbing through his back with his bionic arm. He then ripped it out, letting the gladiator fall to its knees and power down.

"Done." Shiro breathes, trying to regain his stamina.

You then uncovered your eyes and looked around. You were shocked seeing everyone practically lifeless on the floor.

Wasn't this supposed to be a game?

You thought as Lance, Pidge, Hunk, and Keith struggled to stand. You looked up at Shiro, confused about what had happened.

"Daddy?"

"It's okay Y/n, you're safe." He reassured you. You didn't like this, it wasn't what you expected and you felt like you were to blame since they worked so hard to keep you safe, you felt the tears form and slowly fall down your round cheeks.

You cried out seeing your friends hurt. You didn't want this. Keith turned to look at you and you caught his gaze. You raised your arms towards him but he just looked away and walked out of the room. You knew he was mad at you and that made you cry even louder seeing him leave. Lance was the first to walk over to you and pick you up so you could let it all out and sob on his shoulder.

"Shhhh, It's okay, everything's going to be alright. W-What do say you and I watch a movie before bed?" He tried his best to calm you down even though he was still in pain. You sniffled and looked up at his big blue eyes, they were so kind and caring. It really hurt him seeing you sad since it would remind him of his siblings and it was just a sight he couldn't bear.

You wiped away your tears and nodded a yes before snuggling your head into his chest, not really wanting to see the others at the moment.

"Well, let's just, call it a day. Everyone, try to get some rest, we're gonna have a big day tomorrow." Shiro said as he made his way out along with the other paladins.

Lance followed behind and before you knew it, you two were in his room.

"Sit here for a second while I get changed in the bathroom." You nodded your head. "Good girl." Lance patted your head and went to the bathroom.

You looked around his room and notice it was pretty clean and decorated with pictures of the ocean and things he's probably collected on his journey, there was even a blue bathrobe hanging on the bathroom door.

After such a long day, you felt your eyelids getting heavier until you plopped down on the bed and fell asleep.

"Alright Y/n! You ready to watch The Greatest Show...man.." Lance cut himself off when he noticed you laying sound asleep on his bed. "Awww! Could you get any cuter?!" Lance half-whispered to not wanting to wake you up.

He walked over to his bed and kneeled on the floor so he could be at your level. He noticed you furrowing you little eyebrows as if you were tense or scared.

Is she having a nightmare?

Lance reached out and tucked your hair behind your ear and then caressed your head in a soothing manner.

"♪Do you hear me? Talking to you, across the water, across the deep blue ocean~♪" Lance sang softly, one of his sibling's favorite songs, hoping it would help you sleep better.

(Yes the voice actor for Lance actually sang this)

https://youtu.be/a_Jd32ygw0Q

And it did.

Your expression softened into a peaceful one. Lance slowly moved you over so that he could tuck you both in bed.

"Night Y/n."

~Celestial-Red~