Keith's POV

"I feel like she should've woken up already." Pidge mutters.

"Any tick now..." Coran replies.

"Are you sure, Coran?" I ask, looking once more at Y/n. Time seemed so slow, and I just wanted to make sure she was alright. She had been in the cryo-pod all day and I was getting anxious.

"Yes, I'm positive. Any moment now..." The Altean confirms.

"Why don't we go get something to eat while we wait?" Hunk asks. "I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry." Pidge states.

"Come on. I'm hungry too." Lance grabs Pidge and pulls the boy after him as he races to catch up with Hunk.

"Keith?" I feel a hand on my shoulder. Shiro looks at me with concern. "You've been in here all day. Why don't you join us?"

"You go on ahead. I'll staying here." I reply.

"You sure?" Shiro asks. I nod. As Shiro leaves, I turn my gaze back to Y/n.

Y/n's POV

'I need to wake up. I need to make sure they're alright.' I try to force myself awake, but I felt as if I was trapped in my mind. Finally, I open my eyes. The world was slightly distorted, like looking through shiny glass. I hear a hissing sound and the pod opens. I try to take a step, only to fall forward. I brace for impact, but fall into warm arms.

"Oh gosh, Y/n! Are you okay?" I look up into greyish purple eyes. Keith lifts me to my feet, keeping an arm around my waist to steady me. I breathe deeply to stop the swirling in my mind. My vision returns to normal and the headache goes away.

"Nice catch." I mutter, opening my eyes once more. "Where are the others?"

"Eating." There's Keith's simple reply.

"Have you eaten?" I ask.

"No."

"Why? You need to eat!"

"I was worried about you." Keith confesses. I blush, then quickly turn my face away to look around the room.

"Where are we exactly?" I ask, regaining composure.

"The infirmary. Come on, the others are waiting." We make our way to the kitchen, where the others were talking.

"...hope she's okay - Y/n!" I get tackled by Pidge, who hugs me tight.

"Y/N!" The others attack me, almost knocking me back.

"Careful...Still...fresh...out of...the cryo-pod." I squeak. The group quickly let go, allowing me to breathe. My stomach suddenly grumbles, making me blush in embarrassment.

"You must be hungry. You haven't eaten in a while." Allura says. "Come, sit down." I sit next to Lance, who had been out of his cryo-pod only for a short while. The others resume their chatter.

"...He'd be Sendak's prisoner right now, if not for Pidge." I pipe in.

"Well, you wouldn't have survived the explosion if Hunk and Coran hadn't gotten a new crystal." Pidge replies.

"Wow. Thanks, everybody." Lance smiles. "Sounds like the mice did more than you, though." I giggle at Keith's shocked face.

"I punched Sendak!"

"Yeah, apparently after Y/n emerged from a coma and shot his arm off." Lance counters.

"We had a bonding moment. I cradled you in my arms!" Keith shouts.

"Nope. Don't remember, didn't happen." Lance crosses his arms.

"Wait, what?" I look at Shiro for an answer, but all I get is a shrug.

"So, what happened to Sendak?" I ask.

"He's frozen in a cryo-pod. We're keeping him here in the Castle." Allura responds.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Lance asks.

"He's too dangerous to be set free. Besides, we might be able to get some information about Zarkon from him." Allura informs.

"So, what's the plan now?" I ask.

"We have to get back to the Balmera and save Shay and her people." Hunk exclaims.

"Shay? Who's Shay?" I question.

"Hunk's new girlfriend." Pidge teases.

"What? Since when?" I demand.

"I'll tell you later."

"No, it's not like that. Look guys, when you see how Zarkon has treated these people and destroyed their home...they've been under his thumb for so long, they don't know what it is to be free. It's up to us to set this right. This is what being a paladin of Voltron is all about. It's time to man up." Hunk exclaims.

"Then let's get moving. Time to go defend the universe." Shiro says. I move to get up, but Pidge stops us all.

"Wait, I have something to say first. I need to come clean. I'm afraid this may change the way you all think about me." Pidge takes a breath before continuing. "Just so there are no secrets between us anymore, I can't "man up." I'm a girl. I mean, I can "man up" because that's just a figure of speech. I don't have to actually be a man to "man up." I just have to be tough. But what I'm saying..."

"Wha? You're a girl? How?" Lance demands.

"I've known for some time, but I'm glad you've shared it with everyone." Allura says.

"Yeah, I figured." Hunk comments.

"Oh, yeah, me too."

"Wait, we were supposed to think you were a boy?"

"Pidge, owning who you are is going to make you a better Paladin." Shiro says. Pidge sighs in content.

"It's good to get that off my chest. Now, let's launch this Castle-ship!" She exclaims.

"Wait, what? Pidge is a girl and the Castle is a ship? How long have I been out?" Lance wonders aloud.

"Apparently long enough. Come on, lover boy. Let's find out what else we missed." I grab the boy's hand and run after the others, pulling him after me.

"Activate interlock. Dynotherms connected. Mega-thrusters are go. We are ready to depart Planet Arus on your mark, Princess." Coran looks at the Altean.

"Firing main engines for launch." I gasp as the Castle starts to move upward. I stumble back into a seat and hang on. Soon, we were on our way to the Balmera.

-time lapse-

"Okay. So, when we get there, what do you think? Do we just roll up and start blasting? Or do we land and have some kind of public address system, like, 'Attention, Galras, this is Voltron. Turn yourselves in'?" Lance asks.

"No. Blasting, right?" Hunk demands.

"Hunk, calm down." Keith says. "And, yes, blasting."

"It's our first big rescue mission. He's excited." Shiro says.

"Excited to see his new girlfriend." Pidge adds in. Hunk gasps.

"She's not my girlfriend! She's just a rock that I met and I admire very much." He says. Suddenly, an alarm goes off.

"What is it? Are we being attacked?" I ask.

"No, it seems to be a distress beacon." Coran says. "It's coming from a nearby moon. Apparently, a ship has lost power."

"I wonder who it is." I mutter.

"Whoever it is will have to wait. Shay has first priority. We can check back on them when we're done." Hunk states. I stare at the boy. Hunk was always concerned about the welfare of others. He never said anything like that.

"The Paladin Code states that we must help all those in need." Allura says.

"Wow! This is so cool. It's like we're space cops on space patrol." Lance smiles. "Coran, do we have a siren we can turn on?"

"Uh, no, but we could record you making a siren noise and broadcast that to them." The Altean says.

"Perfect!" Lance stares making the most annoying sound I've ever heard.

"No, not doing that." Shiro covers the boy's mouth, who groans.

"Attention, damaged craft, this is Princess Allura. We are coming to assist you." Allura says through a communicator. We arrive and I spot the ship that called for help.

"Whoa. Nice ship." I mutter. Allura turns to Coran.

"Stay aboard and try to get as many of our systems clear of that Galra crystal energy as you can. We'll see who hailed us." The Altean nods.

"Yes, Princess." We suit up and walk out of the Castle to the crew that waited.

"You don't know how glad we are to see some friendly faces. Most folks don't want to get tangled up with anyone who's on the run from the Galra."

"So, you guys are fighting the Galra?" I ask.

"Well, I don't think Zarkon is exactly quaking in his boots at the three of us, but we do what we can. I'm Rolo. This is Nyma, and our cyber-unit, Beezer."

"Hi." I say. Lance smiles at Nyma, who blushes. Pidge suddenly gasps when she spots Beezer.

"Cool robot!"

"Hi! Name's Lance." I swat the boy's head, earning a glare.

"...are hard to come by. Luckily, we were able to limp

to this moon about a week ago. If you didn't pick up our distress signal, I-" Rolo trails off.

"We're happy to help. I am Princess Allura of Altea, and from now on, you won't be alone fighting the Galra. You'll have the Paladins of Voltron by your side." Allura says proudly. Rolo laughs.

"Okay... I don't think they've heard of us." I say.

"It has been ten thousand years." Allura mutters.

"Voltron? Five robot lions that combine into this big robot guy?" I explain.

"Sounds impressive. I'd love to see it." Rolo states. "Or him. Them."

"Why don't we get to work on your ship? I'm sure we all have places to be." Hunk intervenes.

"Sure. Pretty much our whole flaxum assembly is shot. I don't know what kind of extra parts you carry in this rig of yours. I've never seen anything like it." Rolo says, looking up at the Castle.

"I'm sure we can get you back up and running. Give Hunk a list of what you need. Coran can show you where to find it." Allura says.

"Okay." Rolo pulls out a list, handing it to Hunk. "We'll go with you. Don't want you to have to carry all that yourself. Come on, guys."

"Uh, I don't think so. You can just wait out here." The boy says, taking the list.

"Hunk, don't be rude." I say.

"Yeah, mind your manners. There are ladies present." Lance looks back at Nyma and winks. "Hey."Shiro sighs, and I giggle.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but does anyone remember the last time we let our defenses down? Someone kind of set off a bomb. Remember, Lance? You were almost killed if Y/n hadn't taken most of the blast." I grimace at remember what had happened only a day ago.

"Oh, yeah." Lance mutters.

"Hunk's right. Sorry, but we have to be cautious." Allura says, turning to the trio.

"Hey, I don't take it personal. That's how it is out here. You've got to look out for your own. You're doing a good job, big man." Rolo smiles at Hunk.

"Yeah. Thanks." He smiles.

"My planet was destroyed by the Galra and I was taken captive. I managed to escape, but not before I lost something." Rolo says.

"I know exactly how that feels. Well, I hope there are some parts in here that'll fit. You know, to get your ship moving?" Hunk says.

"Great! Thanks." Rolo replies. Hunk walks off, while I turn my attention back to Rolo.

"So, what can you tell us about Zarkon's forces? Where are they concentrated?" Shiro asks.

"Well, his command ship sits right in the center of the Empire. He mostly calls the shots from there and has his minions do the work, depending on who's closest. This is the territory of a real nasty bugger named Sendak." Rolo says.

"Oh, we've met." I say.

"How far are we from the center?" Allura asks.

"We're way out on the fringes." Rolo replies.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I think you guys are kind of keeping Rolo from working." Hunk interrupts. "It's just that we're in a hurry. A hero named Shay saved my life, and I swore I would return to do the same for her and her people. You understand."

"Sure. Sorry." Rolo looks at me. "I could use some help."

"I'll help you." I follow the alien to his ship. "Wow, this is cool."

"Thanks." Rolo calls over to Hunk. "Hey, bud! Sorry, but do you think you could hunt down a length of thermal pipe about yay long?"

"On the way." Hunk disappears again.

"So, big fella the boss around here?" Rolo turns to me.

"Hunk? Oh, gosh no. He's just worried is all."

"I understand. I feel the same. We've got to get going." Rolo smiles at me. Hearing a sharp blast, I peek outside, spotting the Blue Lion disappear. "Oh, Lance!"

"Let them have their fun. Thanks to you, this thing is just about ready, so we're going to be on our way soon." Rolo says. He twists on finally part into place. "I think this thing is just about ready for a test flight. Beezer, come co-pilot for me. Y/n, you can come too. I might need you in case the ship loses power again." I look at Shiro, who nods.

"Be back in a tick." I run after Rolo. Peering around, I examine the ship. "This is really cool. It's hard to believe that just a few days ago, I was on my planet, stuck in school."

"I'm sorry. You must miss your family." Rolo comments, turning away from the controls to look at me.

"Shiro's the only family I've got. My parents died when I was younger." I say.

"I'm sorry." Rolo stands up, placing a hand on my shoulder. I smile at him. "Here, I have something for you. Just a thanks for helping me." Rolo pulls out a pair of bulky bracelet-looking things.

"What is that-" I yelp as Rolo clamps them onto my wrists. The bracelets activate and my arms link behind my back. I fall back in surprise, trying to pull my arms apart. "HEY! What are you doing?!"

"Giving you my thanks for helping me capture the Blue Lion and get away with a Paladin. You made it so easy." Rolo speaks into a communicator. "Nyma? On my way now. Get the Blue Lion ready."

Lance's POV

"So, you want to see how fast I can climb this tree?" I say, leaning against it.

"Aw, you are cute." Nyma giggles. "Let me show you something. Give me your hand." I gladly obey, reaching my hand over. Nyma flings me around, slaps something onto my wrists, and, next thing I know, I'm stuck to the tree.

"Whoa. This is kind of-" I look up as Nyma's ship appears. "Nyma, what's going on?"

"Sorry, Lance. Maybe we'll meet again." She says. The hangar door of the ship opens and the Blue Lion is sucked up.

"Lance!" I see Y/n looking down through the doors.

"Y/n! Oh, quiznak!" I strain against the cuffs as Nyma enters the ship. I could only watch as they flew away, taking Blue and Y/n. I spot my helmet and, using my leg, manage to get it closer. "Guys? Hello? Little help?"

"Lance? Lance! Are you all right?" Shiro's voice comes over the comms. "What's going on?"

"Well, I'm kind of chained to a tree." I admit.

"I knew it!" Hunk exclaims.

And I think Nyma and Rolo just stole the Blue Lion and kidnapped Y/n." I explain further.

"I knew it!" Hunk's voice again.

"Where are they?" Shiro demands.

"Uh, space?" I say.

"Uh, I never trusted those guys, right from the beginning!" I hear Hunk's voice say. "At first, it was a feeling in my gut, but when I was replacing that pipe, the pipe was cracked, but none of the hardware around it was damaged."

"We get it!" Keith shouts.

"If the thermal pipe is cracked, then, obviously, hello, the entire assembly should be totally roasted..."

"Okay! We get it." Pidge says.

"We should've had to replace the entire undercarriage of that reactor. So, right then, I was, like, positive. Foul play."

"Okay, we get it!"

Y/n's POV

"Commander Prorok, my name is Rolo. I understand you're offering a reward to anyone helping capture the Voltron Lions." I watch as Rolo talks to a Galran.

"That's correct. Do you know where they are?"

"I know where the blue one is. It's in my ship. And I have a Paladin of Voltron."

"Excellent. Bring them to me and you'll have your reward immediately."

"Just a tick. My friends and I have a bit of a checkered past. Some stolen merchandise from the Galra Empire may have fallen into our possession without us knowing about it."

"Well, I'm sure that a full pardon can be arranged for the brave souls who bring Emperor Zarkon a Voltron Lion and a Paladin of Voltron."

"Is that all? We'll take the reward, too."

"Of course."

"All right. We're on our way."

"Why are you doing this?" I demand. Rolo looks back at me.

"Sorry, Y/n, but you just don't understand. This is the only way we get cleared."

"Is it though? You didn't have to betray us." I say.

"But I did. Sorry." I sit back. Looking up at the Blue Lion, I scoot closer to lean against her particle barrier. I yelp as I suddenly fall backwards. I look up at Blue, whose eyes were doing dull once more. I realize she had just opened her barrier to keep me safe. I smile at the Lion.

"Thanks."

"What? How did you get in there?" I turn back to Rolo, who was standing outside of the barrier. He reaches forward, then jerks back with a yelp as the barrier shocks him.

"Rolo, you need to see this!" Rolo runs back up front.

"No way." I yelp as the ship speeds up, throwing me back.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Nyma asks.

"There's no way we can outrun those lions. Not in the open. Good thing the Zorlar asteroid belt is right up here. I know that like the back of my hand." Rolo replies. I grip onto Blue's paw as I'm thrown around. I could hear the other Lions' blasters.

'Hurry up, guys!'

Keith's POV

"We'll never get through this asteroid field!" Pidge shouts.

"Maybe I can just bust through!" Hunk throws the Yellow Lion into an asteroid, only to bounce off. "Nope. That was wrong. That was a bad idea."

"Keith, you're the only one who could possibly fly through this." Shiro says. We need you, buddy. Get in there and flush him out."

"You got it. See you on the other side." I make the Red Lion fly through the asteroid field as quickly as possible.

'Those aliens took Y/n. They're not getting away.'

Y/n's POV

"No way. Get on the blasters. Take him down!" Rolo suddenly shouts.

"Copy." Nyma runs to the back, slipping into another seat.

"This kid can flat-out fly." Rolo mutters. I knew he was talking about Keith. No one could fly through an asteroid field so easily.

"He's gaining on you!" Nyma shouts. The whole ship bounces from a blaster. "Blasters are offline!"

"We've got to get out of here!" Rolo shouts aloud. Suddenly, the whole ship is knocked over. I scream as I fly forward, bouncing off the particle barrier. Groaning, I sit up.

'Good job, Keith.'

Keith's POV

"Hey, Lance, I got your lion back." I say.

"Thank you, Keith. Now, can you come and unchain me?" Lance asks.

"What's that? I, uh-You're cutting out. I can't-I can't hear you." I say with a smile.

"Oh, come on! I thought we bonded. Keith? Buddy? My man?" After picking up Lance on the way, we head back to the Castle. I run out of the Red Lion as the Black Lion gently sets the ship down.

"Y/n!" I burst into the ship. Rolo and Nyma look up at me in surprise. I activate my bayard and grab Rolo, holding my sword to his throat. "Where is she?" Rolo points to the back of the ship. I look over and see Y/n, sitting inside Blue's particle barrier with her hands behind her back. I let go of Rolo and pass him off to Shiro, running up to Y/n.

"How did you-" Y/n shakes her head.

"I honestly have no clue. I was outside the barrier, then, next thing I knew I was inside it." She says.

"Lance, tell your Lion to let Y/n out." I say.

"Well, I actually might just keep her-"

"LANCE!"

"Okay, okay. Chill out, mullet." After several minutes and a really stubborn Lion, Y/n is finally out of the barrier. I undo her cuffs, tossing them to Pidge.

"You okay?" I ask.

"Yeah. Nice flying." Y/n says, her e/c eyes twinkling. I blush.

"No problem."

Y/n's POV

"Since your ship really doesn't work now, you'll have to wait here for a rescue." I say.

"Thanks for sparing our lives." Rolo says with a smile. "If you ever need any help with stealing something, let me know."

"Whatever." I roll my eyes, not noticing the glare Keith gave Rolo.

"Now that these guys are dealt with, let's get to the Balmera and save Shay and her family." Hunk says.

"You may not believe this, but I hope you do stop Zarkon. It's a lifetime of fighting the Galra that led me to where I am today." Rolo says.

"Thanks." Shiro says. "And thanks for not completely turning over my sister." Rolo nods.

"Pleasure meeting you all." Shiro turns to us.

"Alright, gang. Let's get out of here."