"Ember," A voice called out through the darkness. A hand shook her shoulder, and the said girl groaned tiredly. "Come on, Em. Time to wake up." 

    "I don't know what you're talking about, I've been up-," Ember yawned, digging her face into the crook of her elbow. "This whole time." 

    "Clearly," The voice chuckled, and Ember slowly opened her eyes, rubbing them tiredly. "Come on. We let you sleep pass our Voltron exercising, everyone is waiting in the dining hall." 

Grey eyes met dark grey eyes and Ember smiled sleepily. "Hey, Shiro." She greeted. "How are you?"

    "I'm good," Shiro shook his head slightly in amusement, holding his hand out. "Come on, I've got to go find Pidge and you have to go get something to eat."

Ember hummed, looking around the room she was in. Not to her surprise, she was in the Arboretum again. The place was looking more lively though. Green plants were shooting up from the ground and the place looked brighter. The young medic has devoted almost all of her time to planting the herbs and flowers; only coming out for team training and food. Only if one of her friends come and gets her though. 

So it wasn't much of a surprise when she found herself asleep on one of the benches in the Arboretum. Her head nodded, as if finally registering what Shiro had said. 

    "Alright, yeah. Food seems nice." Ember agreed, taking Shiro's hand and lifting aching body up. She winced as her knees popped. "If the prisoners we found need any medical attention, don't be afraid to find me." She ordered. "I'll makes them some Chamomile Tea. I'm sure I have enough for them all, at least until the new batch grows."

    "Only if you eat, first." Shiro gently lead the young girl out of her new environment. 

    "Only if I eat first." Ember echoed with a nod. "I can do that. What did Coran make today?"

    "Actually, Hunk is making food today." At Ember's surprised look, he chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, it's something new."

The leader and medic of Voltron walked side-by-side in a comfortable silence, only Shiro speaking up when their paths headed two different ways. "How are you, Ember?" He asked seriously, glancing down at her. "I mean, really. Last time I saw you, before coming back to Earth, we were both in the hospital. . ."

    "It's. . ." Ember struggled to find the words. "It's not better, but it's not worse. I think being in Team Voltron helps me. And ever since I dropped piloting and exploration for the medical field, it's been getting good." 

    "If you ever need to talk about it, I'll be here." Shiro put a hand on her shoulder, giving the girl a smile. "Always."

    "Thank you, Shiro." Ember smiled back gratefully, hugging the older man tightly before backing off. "You better make sure Pidge isn't interrogating those poor prisoners. I'm pretty sure that's where she went off to." 

    "Of course," Shiro shook his head. "Be nice."

    "Always!"

Ember shook off the feelings that threaten to loom over her and skipped down the hallway towards the dining room, a bright smile on her face. 
She arrived just in time, because when she walked through the automatic doors, Hunk was dishing out four different bowls. Lance and Keith were hungrily staring at the delicious looking food.

    "Oh! I think my timing is getting better now!" Ember cheered, sliding in the seat that Hunk wasn't blocking, next to Keith. 

    "Hey, Ember."

    "Heya, Bee!" 

The Red and Blue Paladin didn't pay her any attention, looking like they were about to eat a whole elephant. But Hunk stopped them just in time. 

    "Whoa! Hold up!" Hunk batted their silverware away from the food. "New rules! Ember gets first choice."

    "Hunk, that's not fair!" Lance complained, making Keith nudge him in the side. 

    "Hey, we can wait a little bit longer." Keith narrowed his eyes. 

    "Oh, I won't take but five seconds, Lance," Ember teased lightly, grabbing the closest bowl to her. "Go at it, boys." 

They did just that. Quickly digging into the three other bowls that were left and eating as fast at they could. Ember giggled around her meal, eyes bright with amusement. Lance and Keith were already down with all three bowls before Ember even got halfway done with hers. Chuckling, she scooped the rest of what she wanted out of the bowl before sliding it over to Keith; who looked pretty upset that their wasn't anymore food. 

    "Here, I'm already full," Ember insisted, laughing when Keith perked up and started to dig into his new bowl. Their laughter didn't last long as the alarms started blaring throughout the castle, red lights blinking. 

    "What?" Ember muttered, pushing herself out of the chair. Allura swiped the air and a jumbo screen appeared above their heads, showing the outer area of the castle. A small creature peeped its head over the rock - two red horns on top of his head.

    "What is that?" Keith narrowed his eyes. 

    "Oh, it's so cute!" Ember gushed, watching as the small alien.  

    "I don't know what it is. Maybe it's a local Arusian." Allura suggested. The 'Arusian' let out a small battle cry and rushed over to the next rock, closer to the castle. "He's approaching the Castle."

    "Aw!"

    "Doesn't look too dangerous."

    "You never know."

    "Come on, Keith!" Ember pouted lightly as she turned to the Red Paladin. A quick flash and he had summon his bayard. "We have to at least go see what he wants!"

    "Alteans believe in peace first." Allura added. "Let's go welcome them." 

    "That's adorable." Hunk followed the Princess as they all herded out. 

    "Hey, maybe we can knit him a little sweater!"

    "I call greeting the little guy! Allura, I called it!" Ember yelled, swiping a small cracker-like object and running after them. 

The small group of humans and Alteans made their way out of the castle and to the doors closest to the alien. It just so happened to be the huge doors, that were actually kinda scary. 
As the doors creaked open, Ember giggled lightly as she saw the Arusian squeak and run into the bushes. Allura lead them slowly towards the small creature's hiding place. 

    "Greetings. We know you're there." Allura smiled gently, tilting her head for Ember to greet them as well. 

    "Hello!" Ember smiled, sitting down in front of Allura. "Don't worry, no harm will come to you." She held out the cracker, keeping her movements slow. "Here, I've got you something to snack on."

The Arusian let out a grunt and flipped out of the bush. He raised his sword threateningly, only inches away from Ember's neck. But the black-haired healer didn't even blink. "Aw!" Hunk and Ember cooed. 

    "Ember! He could be dangerous!" Keith growled, stepping in front of Allura and putting a hand on her shoulder. "Drop your weapon!"

    "No one takes Klaizap's weapon!" The short creature declared, pointing his sword at Keith. 

    "Keith, put that away!" Allura scowled, turning back to Klaizap. "Please, kind sire, accept my most humble apologies."

    "You can take the cracker thing as an apology!" Ember chirped, stilling holding out the food. 

    "Huh?" Klaizap stood tall and dropped the weapon from it's original height. "I am Klaizap, bravest of our warriors. Our village is over Gazrel Hill. I come seeking answers as to why the Lion Goddess is angered with her followers."

    "Followers?"

    "Lion Goddess?" 

    "The one the ancients spoke of." Klaizap gestured to long, smooth rock with carving in it. Which is weird, because Ember was sure it wasn't there a minute ago. What looked like Klaizap's people were bowing in front of a tall womanly figure with a lion's head. 

    "Could he mean Voltron?" Ember leaned back into Allura, looking up to the Princess and whispering in a soft voice. 

    "What makes you think she's angered?" Allura asked, tapping Ember's head gently. 

    "Destruction is everywhere. In the past few suns, fire has rained from the heavens and a giant has danced in the sky." The Arusian moved his arms with each explanation. 

    "I think he's talking about Voltron." Hunk whispered, making Ember nod. 

    "That's what I was saying!" 

    "Yeah, I got that."

    "You have not angered the Lion Goddess." Allura assured.

    "How can you be certain?"

    "Because I am Allura and this is my Castle." Klaizap gasped, lowering himself to the ground quickly and bowing at Allura. 

    "Lion Goddess!" 

    "Please, bravest warrior, take us to your village so that we may meet our neighbors." Allura smiled gently. 

    "What about our mission to get off this planet and fight Zarkon?" Keith interfered. 

    "Part of the paladins' mission is to spread peace and diplomacy." Allura explained. "Arus has been our host for 10,000 years. These people deserve our thanks."

    "Here," Ember smiled at Klaizap, pushing herself off the ground and holding her hand out. "Need help?"

    "Thank you, miss." Klaizap accepted her hand, tilting his head as they let go of each others hands.  "What's your name, miss?"

    "No need to call me miss," Ember smiled. It made her happy that she could smile as much as she could. "You can call me Ember."

  ▬ ✦✧✦ ▬  

Voltron's Healer smiled gently at the crowd that surrounded her, Allura, Keith,, Coran and Hunk. Beautiful music was flowing through the air, making Ember want to dance. There was laughter and conversation everywhere Ember looked; Hunk was passing out some kind of sphere object and Coran was hugging the Arusians as much as possible. 

    "Oh, Lion Goddess!" An Arusian - who was clearly the towns' leader with everyone parting respectfully - started standing tall before bowing slightly. "I, King of Arusians, formally beg your forgiveness. Please have mercy on us and accept our traditional Dance of Apology as atonement for our wrongdoings." A simple clap, and a female Arusian rushed in between the two groups. 

She struck a pose, standing tall as as the King said; "Commence Dance of Apology!" 

    "Hoorah!" The little people cheered as a line of drummers beat an uptempo beat. Ember's smile grew, her foot tapping the ground with the beat. The female Arusian dance gracefully, wiggling around and sliding left to right. Her arms moved with purpose. 

    "Please, there's no need for this." Allura tried to calm everyone down. 

    "Moontow, halt!" The King ordered, making the music and the dancer - Moontow - stop.  "The Goddess has refused the apology. Start the sacrificial fire." A fire boomed behind the Arusians on a wooden pedestal. "We must throw ourselves in."

    "No!" Ember and Allura called out, Ember reaching out for Moontow as Allura continued. "No sacrifices!"

    "So, we may proceed with the dance?" 

    "Please!" Ember crouched in front of Moontow, eyes bright. "I would love to see the rest of the dance, just like the rest of my friends!" 

    "That's a better alternative." The music resumed and Moontow continued her dance, spinning and jumping every now and again. It was quickly over, and when Moontow bowed before the Paladins of Voltron, the rest of the Arusians followed. 

    "Please, please, rise." Allura commanded lightly. "Thank you for that, but I am not a great being worthy of your worship. I accidentally put you all in danger. It is I who should be apologizing to you." The Arusians seemed to be confused. "I am Princess Allura, and these are the Voltron Paladins. Although we originally came from different worlds - and have very, very, very different traditions - we wish to live alongside you as friends."

    "But the might robotic angel, has it not come to destroy us because of our immoral ways?" The King pushed himself off the ground. 

    "Voltron? No. In fact, that mighty robot is here to protect you." Allura explained. "Let it be known that Voltron will protect every innocent being throughout the universe!"

The Arusians all surged forwards, cheering gleefully and crowding the Paladins. The music started back up, and Ember grinning at Keith, who was trying to get away from the swarm of people. 

    "Come on, Keith! At least greet one of them!" Ember chided lightly, looking back at Moontow. "Hey! Moontow, right? Do you want to dance? I - I mean, I don't know your guys dancing ways, but I can learn!"

    "O-Of course!" Moontow stammered out in a high pitched voice, grasping Ember's hand. "This way! I can teach you the basics dances of the Arusians." The pink Arusian paused and shuffled her feet nervously once she lead Ember to a slightly less crowded area. "I - I was going to ask - if it's not to much to ask! But, could you teach me some of. . ."

    "Humans."

    "C-Could you teach me some of the Human dances?" 

    "Sure!" Ember smiled. It seemed like she was doing that a lot, but she was really happy. She doesn't remember a time before now of her smiling so much. Especially. . . "I can teach you how to waltz and ballet, uh, I'm not that good though. My mother made me take dance classes, but I was horrible at them!"

    "Uh, E-Even if you were - which I doubt is true - there is always room for learning!" 

    Ember crouched down in front of the alien, a sudden serious look on her face. "Moontow?"

    "Y-Y-Yes?!"

    "I think we're going to be great friends!" Ember exclaimed happily, grinning as Moontow beamed at her. 

    "I-If that is what you wish, so be it!"

With that - the two different races learned and taught each other new dances. Moontow almost instantly clicked with ballet - the jumps and turns were almost like her own races - while Ember learned the Dance of Apology and the Dance of Swans. When Moontow explained that the Dance of Swans was a dance for lovers, Ember started to tease the pink alien;
    "Oh, you're already trying to pull moves on me, Moon? We just met!"

    "Ack! N-No! That's not-" Moontow stopped her explanation once she realized Ember was joking, the purple armored girl giggles were infectious. "You say that now, but wait until you do the Dance of Swans with your other!"

Ember and Moontow had a laughing fit before deciding to show everyone their dances. It was like the two of them were on the same thought process because they leaped together with grace and rhythm in sync. The Paladins and Arusians made a crowd around the two dancers and watched in awe as the Arusian and Human dances mixed together. But there was one gaze that was different from the awed looks everyone else was giving. 

There was one jump that Moontow did when the ground rumbled beneath everyone; Ember caught the pink alien before she could fall as they all turned to the orange fireball heading into orbit. 

    "What is that?" Moontow whimpered, making Ember tense. 

    "Trouble."

    "We gotta get to our lions!" Keith shouted. 

    "Everyone get inside and stay down!" Allura ordered, herding the Arusians into a cave. 

    "On it!" Hunk agreed, running with the Arusians. Keith quickly grabbed hold of him and pulled him away. 

    "Not you!"

    "Keith, Hunk, Lance; get to your lions! Allura, Coran and I can take care of the Arusians!" Ember gestured to the fleeing race, running over to the spot her helmet rested and picking it up.  Whatever they were about to say was interrupted as the fireball crashed into Arus, making everyone stumble. "Lets go guys!"

Coran, Ember, and Allura guided the village into the caves, making sure no one panicked too badly. They had just gotten a third of the village when a pale yellow Arusian ran up to them. 

    "My partner!  My partner, Elihu! He's still in the village!" The colorful woman cried. 

    "What?!" Allura, Coran, and Ember exclaimed, looking back towards the village that was a ways away. 

    "H-He wasn't feeling well, he stayed home! Please, you've got to let me get him!" 

    "Hold on, please," Allura tried to calm the distressed Arusian down. "You can't just run out there. We will help you, but you have to stay here, it's safe." 

    "Where's your home, ma'am?" Ember asked, putting her purple helmet on and putting her coms on low. There was too much shouting. "I will go get Elihu - that's his name, right?"

    "Are you sure, Ember?" Allura asked, looking at the human girl. "You don't have too."

    "I have to do something. Even at the cost of my life." Ember declared, looking back at the crying alien. "Elihu seems to mean a lot to her, so I'll willingly go after him. Now, where is your home?"

    "If you go back to where we were gathering, and turn down the same road the fire pit is lined with, it would be the last house to your left. Please, hurry!" 

Ember smiled gently, putting a hand on the Arusian's horns for comfort. "Don't worry, I'll be back as soon as possible with Elihu. You can tell me what your name is and how you two met, okay?" The black haired girl sent a reassuring smile to Allura and Coran before turning and rushing out of the cave. 

The place where they gathered was actually a bit farther away from the caves than Ember originally thought, but without falling down too much, she made it. Her gray eyes darted over to where she knew her friends fought every so often, seeing as five lions combined into one and form Voltron. 

She didn't even look away for a second before a shadow fell across her. "Merde!" Ember blurted out, summoning her blue shield and raising it towards the huge form of Voltron.  Last second, Voltron flew level of the village and didn't crush the homes. More importantly, Ember. Ember shook her head, got up and started running through the yards and houses to get where she was going.  

The purple armored girl kept an eye on the fire pit, only stopping and turning, and going to the last house that was on the street. Not bothering to knock, Ember opened the door and ran in. Her eyes furrowed at all the doors that were in the small house. How could a house this small have so many doors?!

    "Elihu? Elihu, please, respond!" Ember called out, opening one of the doors. Closest. "Elihu?!"

    "In here!" A voice coughed out, making Ember dash to where she thought the voice was. She yanked open the door to see an orange Arusian sitting on his bed. "You guys must be partying hard, Arus is shaking with joy!"

    "Sorry, Elihu sir, but it's not the party that making the planet shake." Ember apologized, rushing in and picking up the small being. "Sorry, again, we just don't have time!"

    "Wait, where's Vivian?!" Elihu asked as Ember carried him through the house and out the front door. The sight of Voltron and a huge purple robot monster seem to make him even more concerned. "What is that?!" 

    "Uh, Vivian is safe as well as the other Arusians. I don't know about the purple robot, but the colorful one is Voltron! That one is fighting for us." 

    "As long as Vivian is safe," Elihu started. "I don't care what happens." Ember gulped. 

    "As sweet as that is, could you wait until we're safe?"

The trip back to the caves wasn't as long; probably because Ember knew where she was going this time. But it was mostly a tense silence. Until, they came in sight of the cave. 

    "Elihu!" The pale yellow Arusian, Vivian, was waiting at the entrance for them, along with Allura and Coran. Relief was very prominent on their faces. 

    "Ember!" Allura sighed in relief once they were closer. The said girl let Elihu down, only for him to be tackled by Vivian. "We were so worried!" 

Much to her surprise, the moment Ember had her helmet off, Allura hugged her tightly. The two girls stumbled before Ember caught their balance and hugged back. 

    "Voltron got knocked back by that robot, and we thought you two had gotten crushed." Coran explained to Ember as Allura backed up. But Ember was quickly pulled into a Coran hug as well. "Alfor, that was nerve wreaking."

    "Well, I tried to get us back here as soon as I could." Ember patted Coran's back before taking a step back. "I'm sorry for worrying you all."

    "Don't be!" Allura shook her head. "It's just natural to be worried about our friends during these times. . .I am sorry for the hug though." 

    "Don't be!" Ember echoed back with a smile. "You're practically my best friend now; but don't tell Pidge! "

Allura's shocked look went unnoticed by Ember as she was tugged around by Elihu, who was holding Vivian close. Ember smiled at the two of them.

    "Thank you, for saving my aeternum." Vivian went to bow, but Ember held a hand up. 

    "Please, stay standing. I would do it all over again just to make sure you were happy." She paused, tilting her head. "If you don't mind me asking, what is an aeternum?" 

    "An aeternum?" Elihu's and Vivian's face brightened at the simple word. "Oh, it's the most beautiful thing. It's when one Arusian has found another to live with for the rest of their lives. You truly don't know who your aeternum is until you both bathe in the Starrpool."

    "Starrpool," Ember mused, while Allura made a noise of remembrance. 

    "Oh! You mean a Prommisa?" Allura asked. "If it is, I know exactly what you are talking about! It truly is a beautiful thing. We didn't have a Starrpool on Altea thought. . ."

    "I think I know what you guys are talking about." Ember scrunched her face up. "We call them Soulmates on Earth, but. . .I didn't think they were real."

    "It's very real," Vivian stared at Elihu as she spoke, eyes soft. "You either have to go out of your way to find them, or sit never knowing." 

  ▬ ✦✧✦ ▬    

Voltron had defeated the giant purple robot, but not without a long fight. The Paladins of Voltron were exhausted, but that didn't stop them from making sure the Arusian's were safe before they made their way back to the castle. 

Ember had made sure to give Moontow, Elihu, and Vivian a long hug before they left - with a promise that they would see each other soon. When they got back to the castle, Ember instantly went into a medic mode. She started making some tea, and forced everyone into the medic room that Allura had shown her a few days before. 

Making sure her Paladins were injured -  she gave them all a check up before running off to the room they had put the escaped prisoners. Ember made sure they didn't have any physical pains, but she knew that the mental pain was something she couldn't help with. 

She made sure everyone had some tea; curcumin tea with a mix of chamomile and lavender. Even Allura and Coran had to take a cup before Ember was fully satisfied. 

But this lead to the moment where Ember was going over everything, while Team Voltron and the escaped prisoners watched in amusement. 

    "I made sure to get you guys more tea that I made - it will help with anxiety and any pains or aches. It might be a bit bitter, but that means it works! Also, we are low on supply, but I made you guys a small medical kit, so you can treat any wounds that aren't too big. Do you know how to use them? It took me all day and night to finally understand all these tools, so we can-"

Ember was cut off as Lance yanked her back by her yellow jacket, pulling her into his side and throwing his arm around her shoulders. The small container that was the last of the tea hung from her fingers and hit her leg at the sudden movement. 

    "I think they will be fine, Bee." Lance chuckled, looking at the tall alien Ember was talking to. "Good luck out there."

    "Thank you all for everything." He bowed his head slightly before reveling; "We never dreamed we'd see our families again. But you gave us hope. You gave the universe hope."

With that, the small shuttle was off. Ember watched them fly off until she couldn't any more, and by them her shoulder were slumped. 

    "Tired already, Bee?" Lance teased as the group slowly turned to head back into the castle. "You haven't drank your tea yet, have you?"

    "No, I'm no tired." Ember denied, rolling her shoulders. "I haven't had tea yet because I was saving  it for everyone else."

    "As you can see, we're all fine." Lance grabbed the container and twisted the lid off. "Do you want to just drink it from this or. . .?"

    "I'm not drinking from the container." Ember scrunched up her nose in distaste. "That's gross. Besides, I don't need a drink." 

    "You have to drink a little bit." Lance argued. 

    "Not until I have a cup."

    "You're in luck!" Hunk's voice carried easily as he walked towards them. "I have small snacks and - oh, look! A cup." 

Keith snorted as he picked up the treat on the tray, waving at his teammates. "See you later, Ember."

    "Traitor." Ember growled, before sighing and taking the cup Hunk was edging to her. "Why did you even get a cup?"

    "I knew Lance was gonna make you drink something. So I made snacks; we practically take care of you anyways."

    "You need to take better care of yourself, Bee." Lance chided, pouring some tea into the cup. Ember rose an eyebrow at the two boys, swirling the tea around in her cup. With a shake of her head, Ember chuckled. 

    "I guess I do."

  ▬ translation ▬ 

Merde!

v

Shit!