So, you know how when I left off last time, I was getting chased by angry, maniacal furries who wanted me to die?

Well, they still want me to die.

My fast feet skid to a stop as I try to quickly round a corner. I almost slam into the wall as I turn to check who's behind me still. The Galra soldier, who looks less like a cat and more like an annoying purple older brother, chases me. How the heck is he still chasing me?

"Get back here!" he shouts at me.

I ignore him and keep running. Gosh, these Galra dudes are annoying.

The last time I mentally documented anything, I left Shiro and Lance alone with two Galran spies. (Yes, I'm self-aware. Does it look like I give a crap right now?)

I slide around another corner. I can't keep running like this. Even as the Soul, I still have limits, but that could be helped if I practiced with my powers more. I need a plan.

Summoning my Lion State strength, I wait for the Galran hacker to round the corner.

"Found-" WHAM!!!

Haxus slumps to the ground, finally unconscious. "Oh, my gosh, that actually worked."

'Better move it, (Y/N). He might not stay that way for long.'

I bolt down the hall. Haxus said that Pidge was still in the castle somewhere. I have to find her. We're both pretty smart (more like Pidge is really smart, and I'm just a bit over average)

I have no idea where to start looking for her. This castle is confusing, with all its hallways and passages and whatnot. But as fast as I could run, I could check every passageway in minutes.

Not important. 'GottafindPidgegottafindPidgegottafindPidgegotta--'

I plow into someone who lets off a squawk of surprise, and we both tumble to the floor. I groan in pain, getting ready to yell at whoever I had run into before realizing who it was.

"Pidge! Oh, thank all things holy!" I cry, throwing my arms around her.

"(Y/N)? What's going on?"

I lift a brow. "We both know what's going on."

"No," she says, "how'd you escape? Sendak and his goon had you caught, didn't they?"

"Well, yeah, but a little singing and some seriously overpowered martial arts seemed to work well."

Pidge deadpans. "Singing? Really?"

I shrug.

Pidge's communicator chimes, and Allura's voice garbles over. "Pidge, have you made it to the Generator Room?"

"No, but I found (Y/N). We're headed there now."

"Be careful. While I know (Y/N) can easily protect the both of you, Sendak and Haxus will stop at nothing to recapture you and her." Allura sighs. "Find the room with tall energy arcs, and get back to me as soon as possible."

I stop Pidge before she hangs up. "Wait, Allura, what happened at the Arusian village? I was kinda kidnapped and had no way of knowing."

The feed buzzes a little, but Allura soon speaks up again. "It was a diversion. The Arusian village was mostly destroyed, but Keith and I only found sentries. And, since Sendak and Haxus have taken over the Castleship, we're now barricaded out."

"Oh, no." My heart sinks. "No worries. I, for some reason, know the castle like the back of my hand. I'll get us to the Generator Room in no time."

"(Y/N), you get lost trying to find the bathroom."

"That's really not important right now, Pidge."

Allura chuckles a bit. "Either way, you two are our only hope. We're counting on the both of you."

"Don't worry, Allura. Since when have we let you down?"

"You might not want me to answer that."

"Touche."

"Now go before they find you."

Pidge flips on her visor. "On our way, princess." She disconnects the call. "That took way longer than it needed to."

"Agreed. Let's get out of here before Haxus wakes up."

* * *

After several minutes of hunting, Pidge and I finally find the Generator Room. It's a long hallway bathed in purple light, with streaks of violet energy cascading from the ceiling.

"See, Pidge, I told you I could find it." I grin.

She rolls her eyes. "Yeah, after, like, five tries and running from Sendak twice. You radiate too much Voltron energy or something."

"Hey, be glad I led you here and not the training deck, okay?"

Pidge ignores me and dials Allura on the comms again. "We're in." She glances around the Generator Room. "This technology is so advanced, I don't know if I can figure it out."

"Yes, you can. The lives of your fellow Paladins are at stake. You can't give up," Allura encourages.

Pidge seems to zone out for a few seconds, and I walk over and lay a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, come on. Team Nerd isn't the same without my favorite Pidgeon."

She looks up at me, then smiles to herself. "Okay. Talk me through it, Allura."

"Excellent. Shutting down the barrier from this room can be dangerous. Remember, the barrier is also a weapon. So, stay away from the energy arcs."

"Don't touch the giant lightning bolts. Got it."

I shrug a little. "Well, that's kinda obvious, isn't it."

Allura makes a noise that makes me think she rolled her eyes. "Now, what I'm going to need you to do is - "

Having hovered with us the entire journey, Rover shoves Pidge away from an oncoming Galran attack.

I huff. "Not him again!" I borrow the lightning from the energy arcs and block the oncoming laser attacks. These sentries can't learn when to quit.

"(Y/N)!"

"Run, Pidge! I think I can hold my own against a couple of dumb robots! Save the guys! I'll come find you!"

Pidge hesitates, but Rover pushes her toward a corner of the room.

I shoot her a calm glance. "Pidge, it's okay! I got this! Now, go!"

She looks at me one last time before fleeing the scene. I turn back to the sentry as it fires a laser past my head. I twist under the shot, blasting the lightning at it for barely a millisecond. It tries to punch me in the face, but I reel back.

The sentry seems more intelligent than the others we've faced; it swings its weapon at me. I dodge back and kick it in the chest. As it stumbles back, I launch over the rail under the bridge. The sentry crouches down to search for me, but I fling myself over the other side of the bridge and jump on its back.

It fires another laser at me, but I duck to get away from the wayward shot. It swings the blaster at me a few more times. I catch the weapon's stock and pull it back, but the sentry has other ideas. It uses the momentum built up to slam the blaster in my face. I groan. That'll leave a nasty bruise.

I charge my hand with the last bit of lightning from the energy arcs and backhand the sentry with as much force as my Lion State will allow. It goes flying across the room, and I drop in a knee spin and shoot it with the blaster. It doesn't get up again. I wipe a few drops of sweat off my brow and throw down the weapon. Let's hope Pidge made it out and didn't run into any problems.

Either way, I can find Pidge or bring down the barrier from here as planned. I opt for the second choice. Having Allura and Keith to help take down the Galra bozos will be helpful, and we need all the help we can get right now.

A computer pedestal stands at the end of the hall, and I walk over to it. A line of levels rises and falls with the fluctuation of different energies, and a button with Altean labeling swirls next to it. As before, the writing shifts and glitches to form words I understand. The button reads, "Shut off."

Eh, I'll press it and get the problem solved now.

I press the button. Nothing happens. I stare at the pedestal for a few seconds.

"Are you kidding me right now? Allura puts us through all this trouble for some stupid button that doesn't do squat. You better do something or so help me I will end you," I threaten the button. Not that it'll do me any good, but it makes me feel better when I threaten inanimate objects.

I sigh in defeat. It's not gonna do any good. Might as well find--

RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE!

... Okay, go off, I guess. Now what?

A pained wail echoes off the walls and pierces my sensitive ears. I clutch them in discomfort and crouch to block out the sound.

It quiets after a minute. My stomach sinks. That had to have been Shiro. I'm sure he's being tortured by now. Sendak would be desperate to get to Pidge with all the mischief she's causing him.

Pidge can handle herself. I have to help my other teammates.

I need to save Shiro.

Again.

What's with that guy and getting captured or attacked?

Whatever. Shiro's worth it.

I rush out of the generator room and down the halls. How many turns was it again to the control room?

Another wail pierces the air again. The hair on my neck stands on end. What are those psychos doing to Shiro?

Whatever it is, I'll make them pay.

As I get closer, sounds of battle echo through the halls. Keith and Allura must have gotten in. The button must have lowered the particle barrier.

"Stand back!"

"Lance!"

"Shiro!"

"Come closer and they die. Give me the lions."

Oh, no... I'm gonna be too late...

My body changes on its own, and I crouch on all fours. I can barely see the floor with how fast I sprint to the control room.

He wants a lion? I snarl.

I skid to a stop in front of the room and see the bodies of Shiro and Lance unconscious on the floor. My vision taints red, and I lunge for Sendak.

"Then how bout I give you a lioness!"

My weight knocks Sendak to the floor, effectively pinning him. My teeth latch onto his metal arm, and I rip it off, tossing it across the room. I glare down at the Galran.

He gulps. Voices clamor for my attention, telling me to get off him. I ignore them.

This man is dead.

"You..." I growl. "You hurt my people. You deserve death."

His eyes fall closed. "Victory or death."

"Very well. Neither it is, for you, you Galran scum." I grab him by his armor and launch him into the cage Allura had prepared. "Consider your life spared, Sendak. I assure you, it won't happen again. You will have a fate worse than death. This is my solemn vow."

Dang, when did I get so dramatic?

My appearance shifts, and I morph back into myself. "Trust me, Sendak, you screwed with the wrong lioness." I turn to the others. "Check on them. They'll need medical attention."

Keith and Pidge nod and slink to the others to help, startled by my sudden presence and attack. Allura gives an approving gaze and steadies the barrier around Sendak.

I enter my own world. The noise around me is muffled, and I can't hear what's happening. My heart pounds in my ears, and the world spins a little.

I groan, my vision darkens with splotches, and I hit the ground.

Darkness.

Again.

Ugh.

I wake up in Keith's lap. "You again...?" I sigh.

"You're awake," he notes. "You okay?"

I groan a little. "Headache and exhaustion. How are Shiro and Lance?"

"Shiro's up. Lance is in the infirmary. You were out for several minutes. Glad you're okay. Shiro wanted to see you when you were awake."

I nod. "Good. Let's go. I need food before I get hangry."

Keith helps me up, and we leave the room.

"If you don't mind my asking, what was that back there? You weren't yourself. It was like... you became an animal. A lion." Keith frowns. "It just isn't like you to nearly tear someone limb from limb."

"Says who?" I tease.

He doesn't pick up on the joke, so he just stares at me like I'm a serial killer.

I look at him blankly. "That was a joke. No, I don't do that."

He sighs. "Okay, good. Is that just a 'Soul of Voltron thing' then?"

I shrug. "I guess. I don't know what happened. I heard Shiro scream, then I heard you and Allura fighting Sendak, and I just..." I frown. "I lost control. I saw red. I couldn't let him just throw my pride around like a poacher. He had to be stopped, so I just stopped caring about whether he lives or dies."

Keith nods. "Gotcha. Makes sense."

We walk silently for a minute or two, and then he says, "For the record, your abilities are incredible. The Galra don't stand a chance against us with you on our side. What you did was amazing, and I hope you know just how special you are, (Y/N). I mean it."

I'm quiet. What exactly am I supposed to say to that? So, I opt to not accept the compliment.

"Who are you and what have you done with Keith?" I joke.

"Haha, very funny. I can be nice you know."

"Mhm, in Lance's dreams."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Keith steps back in genuine shock.

I giggle as we open the infirmary and approach the others.

Shiro grins. "You made it. You gave us a scare when you fainted. Glad to see you're alright."

I nod. "Thanks."

Shiro approaches Pidge. "Pidge, we can't thank you enough for all you did. I can't help but feel that you were meant to be a part of our team... but I understand if you want to leave."

I gape. "I'm sorry, Pidge tried to leave?! Bruh, you couldn't save that revelation until after I was awake since saving Lance?"

Pidge chuckles nervously. "Sorry, (Y/N). But it doesn't matter now. Dad used to tell me how close he was with his crew members. They were like family. Now, I understand what he was talking about. I'm staying with you guys. Let's stop Zarkon, for all our families."

Keith smiles. "Good to have you back on the team."

I walk up to Pidge and hug her. "I'm so proud of you. Your dad would be too." I release her and pat her shoulder. "Go get some rest. You're going to need it."

"(Y/N)," Shiro beckons. "Can we talk?"

"Of course." I follow him a little away.

"I wanted to—"

I hug him tight. He's so tall I have to stand on my tiptoes. I bury my face in the crook of his neck. "I'm so glad you're alright. I heard you when Sendak was hurting you."

His arms fall to my back and head. "How did..."

"Special hearing. I told you if you needed me, just call me. I'd be able to hear you." I refuse to let go of the hug.

Shiro strokes my hair. "I'm so sorry. I'm sure that really was painful to listen to." He's quiet for a minute, and I listen to his heartbeat. It's everywhere, ranging from calm to frantic every few seconds. "Thank you for saving me and Lance. I don't know what all you did outside of what Allura and Pidge told me, but from what I can tell, it was a lot."

"Of course, Shiro. Was that what you wanted to tell me?" I begin to pull away, but Shiro pulls me into him again.

"Yeah, just... can we stay like this for a bit longer?" He nuzzles my neck. "I've missed this."

"But I'm hungry..."

"I'll carry you."

"But won't that look weird?"

"I don't care. I need a good hug."

"Shiro no."

"Hug."

"No, food."

"Huggggg."

"Fooooood."

"No food if no hug."

I gasp. "Shiro, how could you! That's evil, I just saved your life!"

"You don't get food if you don't let me carry you."

"Oh, my gosh, fine! Carry me to the kitchen, slave. Get me food. Your savior demands it."

Shiro chuckles as he carries me out of the infirmary. The others have already left. "As you wish, my princess."