Hunk and I stood behind Pidge as she searched for the location of Central Command.

Shiro was explaining the events that had happened to Coran who’s flipping out.

My eyes scanned the screen, seeing familiar names and locations. “Pidge, anything?” Shiro asked, turning eyes on the youngest of us. She turned to him and motioned to the front as she pulled it up on the bigger screen for everyone to see. “Guys look at this.”

Yep, that looks about right. “I think we should go in right away. Every minute we waste gives Zarkon time to prepare for us.” She reasoned.

Lance nodded, crossing his arms. “I agree. We should form Voltron, fly in, fly out, dust off our hands and walk away.” 

“Ditto. We can’t let them form any plan or else we’re done for.” I turned to Shiro.

They’ll be set on rescuing her. And while I don’t want to go there’s no choice. They’re the only hope of defeating Zarkon and Haggar.

Voltron is our only hope.

And these kids don’t have much experience fighting against them, so I’ll need to look out after them.

I may not be a Paladin, but I’m a pretty damn good fighter and pilot. 

My biggest concern is Haggar though.

Sure, Zarkon’s a given, but that evil witch will be there. “Uh, do you guys not remember the Balmera? We could barely take out one fleet. But this . . . a base this size could hold a thousand fleets!” Hunk voiced.

Balmera? Oh, Pidge told me about that. It’s where they mine the crystals for this ship.

“Or maybe we shouldn’t go on this mission at all. Think about it. We’ll be delivering the universe’s only hope to the universe’s biggest enemy.” All eyes turned to Keith in disbelief. 

His logic’s solid. I don’t think we should go at all. But they’re a bunch of goody two-shoes. That’s not gonna fly with them.

“Keith, that’s cold, even for you. What if it was one of us? What if it was me? You wouldn’t leave me, would you?” Hunk asked.

Keith stayed silent, which seemed to make the big guy anxious. “Would you?” He asked, his voice going higher.

Keith frowned. “I’m not saying I like the idea. I’m just thinking like a Paladin.”

Not necessarily a Paladin, just someone with common sense. “No, you’re thinking of yourself because you’re too scared to do what’s right!” Lance shouted at him.

Pidge shook her head. “Okay, we’re all upset because we lost Allura-”

“No, Shiro lost Allura!” Coran turned an accusatory glare at our leader.

My temple throbbed, and I slammed my fist on the table loudly, making them jump. “Shut up!” I snapped. The others stared at me wide-eyed, not expecting that from me. A quieter person on this ship.

I sighed, running a hand down my face. “Coran, Allura made the decision on her own. Blaming Shiro isn’t going to bring her back. Hunk, Lance, in retrospect, Keith’s idea isn’t wrong. The lives of the many outweigh those of the few. On that note, none of you guys are going to go with logic, so think. How are we going to get to Allura as soon as possible? The more we bicker, the more likely we’re all to die. So think.” I said mostly to Shiro.

He pursed his lips but his eyes were set with an inferno of determination.

“Let’s take a good look at the layout. Everyone get on it and search.” We all looked at one another before going to stations to do just that. 

Gotta say, it’s to be as expected. They’re thoroughly guarded, and there’s absolutely no way in. We’ll be surrounded in seconds.

But we need to find a way to get close enough unseen. Not just that. We’ll need to avoid Haggar too and her ridiculous cannon.

Not to mention, the minute she locks her magic, my body will react. That could be problematic. 

And the Solar Barrier. I’m a hundred percent sure it’ll be there, and the moment that it’s locked down, I don’t know if we’ll be able to escape. This whole rescue mission is a suicide mission.

But these fools are going to do it. And I can’t just leave them be. “Everyone, eye’s front.” Shiro’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I looked up to see him next to Coran.

“We’ve got a plan to get Allura. We’re going to jump to the heart of the enemy, unseen and undetected.” 

Wait, jump? “I thought we needed Allura to open up a wormhole.” Pidge pointed out.

Coran nodded. “It’s true that Allura powers the Castle’s ability to travel through wormholes. However, I think we have enough of her residual essence stored in the system to make one jump.”

The two turned and pulled the image of the map so we could see. “We’ll hide the Castle here, inside one of these giant gas planets in Zarkon’s command system. The gas is so dense, we’ll be hidden.”

Oh. That could work. But it still isn’t enough.

“From there we’ll use the Castle to scan for Allura on Zarkon’s ship and attack before Zarkon knows what hit him.” Shiro added on.

That’s still iffy at best. “There’s only one hiccup. We have enough energy to wormhole in, but without Allura, we won’t have enough energy to wormhole out.”

So we’re majorly screwed. “It doesn’t matter. We’re not leaving without her.” Shiro reminded me.

I bit back a remark. The likelihood of us succeeding is low. Way too low.

“Pidge, what’s the likelihood we’ll pull through?” I asked her.

She winced, rubbing her arm a bit. “Four percent.” She admitted. I laughed. Actually laughed. Her and the others looked at me wearily.

I smiled bitterly. “Four is my lucky number. Let’s do this.” 

~

“This thing needs work.” I noted as I inspected a fighter ship in the haul.

Coran sighed as he looked at the thing with mourning. “Yes, it’s not as great as it once was, but it’ll do.”

Shiro stared at it wearily. “Kira, you really should stay on the ship.”

I snorted at his claim. There he goes again. “Not a chance. I may not have a fancy lion, but I was one of the best pilots at the academy. Beside’s, you’ll need all the help you can get.”

“But it’s dangerous, and this ship hasn’t been worked on in ten thousand years.” He tried.

I opened the hatch and stared inside of it. “Which is why I’m on support. You guys will be the stars, I’ll be watching your back. Besides, this thing’s better than the practice one back home.” I shrugged, stepping inside and closing it before he could argue more. 

Miraculously, we were able to make the jump to enemy territory without any issues.

That as well as a scan, we have a pretty good idea on the location where Allura is being held, but they’ll have to get closer to get a better read.

Voltron is going to go in for now, but when the fireworks inevitably start, I, who will remain hidden with the castle, will go in and start hitting them.

They’re only looking for the lions or the big guy. A small, old, Altean battleship is something they’re not expecting.

And with my small size, I should be a harder target to hit. 

It’s reckless, but it’s our only shot. I’m really curbing on the 4% luck I tend to have.

That and these idiots are still alive, and that’s hella lucky as well. 

Voltron set out, and I buckled up, adjusting in my seat. Pidge had sent me translations on the ship manual, and it’s surprisingly not that different from the ones back home.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been behind the wheel to anything, let alone a ship. But I didn’t enroll in the Garrison at an early age for nothing. It’s kind of like riding a bike.

Even if I haven’t flown in a long time my body seemed to react naturally and I easily left the ship, hovering near it as I used the equipment to watch the others make it to the Galran base. 

It didn’t take long for the Galran’s to notice, and they put up the Solar Barrier, trapping us in with them. Then, the fighter ships were sent out.

I clenched my hands on my controls and took a deep breath as they shot at Voltron and Voltron began to fight back.

It’s not time yet. Give it just a little bit more. Once I've been discovered, it won’t be too terribly long before I’m overwhelmed.

But I’ll take as many of them down with me as possible. 

Hm? Voltron has a giant sword? Okay, that’s a little impressive. I whistled lowly as some of the ships began to blow up from being sliced and diced by that nifty weapon.

Yeah. That is kind of cool. What the? A shoulder cannon, too?!

Ha! Well, I see how they’re still alive now. And why this is the most feared weapon in the galaxy. It’s taking out many of their ships with ease!

Ray would have loved to see this. 

As the thought crossed my mind, I watched as Voltron went to attack Zarkon’s ship . . . only to freeze up?

What the? What are they doing?! It’s like they’re frozen up?

Ah! The sword vanished. I hit the comms to come in. “What’s going on?!” I shouted.

I could hear strained yells as they struggled. But what are they struggling with?! One by one, their faces popped up on my, and I assume Coran’s screens.

“Somebody do something! Voltron’s frozen up!” Lance shouted. “Shiro!” Keith shouted.

Shiro made strained noises as he struggled against something. “I can’t hold it!” 

What’s going- “Ahg!” I shouted, clutching my chest as goosebumps rose to my skin. My heart began to pound, the hairs on my neck began to stand, and there’s that primal urge gnawing deep inside.

This feeling. I know it. I looked up, glaring at Zarkon’s ship. It’s her.

The Witch! 

If I can feel her magic all the way from here, she must be the reason Voltron is like this. What is she doing to them? 

Voltron let out a blinding light and shocked a bit before breaking apart back into five separate Lions.

That can not be a good sign.

Oh man, more and more fighter ships left Zarkon’s and for the fight. Alright, it's time to move, I guess.

I gripped my controls and shot forward, headed for the others who were now being targeted individually.

The Lions individually aren’t by any means weak, but they’re no giant robot. I noticed a larger ship about to fire a familiar cannon.

Alright then, you first!

I engaged the blasters on mine and shot the cannon right off before shooting the center and causing it to explode. 

I spun my little fighter ship and continued shooting, managing to break off and blow up some more ships.

“Kira!” Lance, Hunk, and Pidge shouted in relief as I had managed to save their butts.

I weaved through ships and beams as they tried to strike me down,  shooting from a bit farther away with the main castle systems. 

You got this, Kira. Not exactly what I was trained for at the Garrison, but you’ve done plenty of simulators before.

Hm? I’ve assisted all the other lions except for Shiro’s? Where is he? Huh? He’s still by Zarkon’s ship. There’s a strange purple glow, and it's headed for another glow on the ship.

Wait a second, that’s Haggar! Why are they taking only the black Lion?! Ugh, no time for that.

“Shiro, are you okay?” Keith asked over the coms. He was met with Shiro’s strained groans as he struggled against something. “Something is overriding the controls! My Lion isn’t responding!”

I grit my teeth, maneuvering around a ship and shooting it down. “It’s the witch! Hold on, I’ll be over there soon!” I weaved through a few ships, making sure to shoot missiles into their primary engine room. 

“I’ll go, keep supporting the others, watch my back!” Keith said as his red lion began to head back for their leader.

I’m not sure that’s wise. Though if the witch is too busy, she shouldn’t be able to really do anything to Keith. That’s the only solace.

Ah, Shiro was just ejected from his Lion! Whoa!

I narrowly avoided a blast and continued to shoot the ships all around me.

There really is too much. We’re doing great now, but there’s only six of us now that Shiro’s down and Coran needs to keep the Castle in good condition if we’re to escape.

Four Lions and a ten thousand year old Altean fighter ship. Yeah, those aren’t great odds.

“What do we do now, guys? Our plan isn’t really working out as . . . well, planned!” Hunks worried voice came trough the comms.

Yeah, not exactly an ideal situation here! “I’m going for the Black Lion. You guys get the Princess, now!” I bit back a remark on his sanity.

Even if that’s foolish for him outside of his means of fighting, if we lose the Black Lion, we lose Voltron, and that means we lose our only real shot of winning this war.

“Do you have her location yet, Coran?” I asked, shooting a ship that was taking aim at Lance. “Yes! I’ve identified Allura’s exact location! Uploading coordinates to you now! In the meantime I’ll provide covering fire from out here! All alone. Against an entire fleet. So, yeah, do you mind hurrying?”

My screen beeped as he sent it to all of us. I spun my ship around, easily evading the enemy ships.

“I’m out here too. You’ll be fine. But still, hurry. There’s a lot of magic from Zarkon’s ship, meaning the damn druids are there and they’re ten times worse than these pesky ships.” 

If only I could shoot Haggar down as easily as their fleet. “My jetpacks damaged, I’ll need to go through the ship.”

So he’s going for Allura? What about his Lion? Oh, Keith! He went to help. He should be able to get to it.

I need to focus on where I can out here. 

As I began to do so, I saw Keith slammed his Lion into Shiro's, breaking it away from whatever spell was happening there.

He just needs to keep it away until Shiro gets back with Allura. “Whoa! Who is that?” Keith asked.

I was too busy fighting to check with my cameras, but Coran’s gasp of horror snapped my attention. “It’s Zarkon! Keith! Get out of there now! Zarkon’s too powerful!” Coran shouted for the angsty boy.

I clicked on my panel to get a visual of what’s happening on the outside of Zarkon’s ship.

That’s him. I’ve never met him personally, but I’m not a fan of what he or his witch does. 

He’s out there in nothing but a suit of sorts. But even I can tell from the way out here how dangerous he is. “This is my chance to chance to put an end to the Galra Empire! I have to take it!” Keith roared, lunging at the man with his Lion.

“Keith, no!” I shouted. It was too late though. He fired a laser at him, but Zarkon easily blocked it with a strange shield.

I’ve never seen something like that before. Ah, it vanished. What the hell? I zoomed in and saw that in his hand is a dark version of the Bayard.

I thought only the Paladins had a Bayard.

Except, of course Shiro’s. His was missing because the last Paladin . . . oh no.

“KEITH!” I shouted, changing my course to him as Zarkon transformed it into a sword and swiped a strange energy from it, knocking Keith’s Lion aside. 

“Kira, what are you doing?!” Pidge demanded, seeing me leave the field.

My ship may not be as fast as a Lion, but it’s gonna have to do. Hopefully I’ll make it on time. “Saving the Emo. You guys get Allura, I’ll get Keith. Sorry Coran, but you’ll have to be the backup for a moment.” I ended my com and tried to focus more energy to my speed.

Zarkon, without a ship and only his bayard that can transform to anything he so damn well pleases, is tossing Ketih and his Lion around like a ragdoll!

That’s insane! He’s just one person. I guess you don’t become a world conqueror for nothing. 

Man, I’m going to need a faster ship next time. “You better hurry Kira! Keith just cut off the communication line!”

Why are you such a hassle?! First with the druid and quintessence and now Zarko?! You’re more trouble than Lance, and he constantly got into things he wasn’t supposed to! 

Oh, his Lion is changing. A canon is forming on his back! He fired at Zarkon, who was forced to stop his onslaught and blocked it.

He. Blocked. It.

But not without some trouble, I noticed. Hm?

Ah! He flung the shot aside, and I barely managed to move out of the way, eyes wide as it blew up everything that was in its way. Oh hell no.

You’re so dead Keith. 

Despite his feat with the cannon, he still was no match for Zarkon and with a strong hit, he was flung into the side of Zarkon’s ship and his Lion stopped working.

What the? C’mon Keith, move it! Why aren’t you moving? Ah! Zarkon is going for him. If he hits him in that state Keith and his Lion are done for.

If that happens there’s no more Voltron!

No more way to stop Zarkon or Haggar. Then Mari and Ray will have died for absolutely nothing. I can’t let that happen.

But he fought off the Lion. What’s my outdated spaceship going to do to him that the greatest weapon couldn’t?! There is a way to save him but . . . 

Damn it!

I punched in some commands and boosted the throttle more and just as Zarkon was about to finish him, I managed to lunge my ship forward between the two and his bayard sword energy collided with my ship and immediately blew it up. 

There was instant hot pain that radiates throughout my body despite my spacesuit and I was flung from the wreckage and crashed, back first, into Keith’s damage with enough force to knock the wind out of me.

Spots danced across my vision and I had to clench my jaw to stop the ringing in my ears. 

Zarkon was with some of the wreckage, staring at me with cold purple eyes. “You . . . You’re Haggar’s experiment. It was foolish of you to destroy your only means of survival.”

Despite the pain I felt, I smirked. He was so confident that he didn’t notice the part of the ship by him that wasn’t destroyed.

I held my hand up, revealing a trigger I had taken with me. Before he could process it, I clicked the button, and the two parts of the ship blew up yet again, this time larger as I had diverted the energy to it for a larger explosion. 

While he was flung a bit way from us, I grabbed the Red Lions mouth and tried to see if I could get Keith to open the communication line again.

“Keith? Keith?” I winced as a high-pitched noise pierced my ear.

Guess my comms were damaged in the explosion. “Insolent girl.”

No way! I turned my head to see Zarkon was back and headed for me and the Lion. 

Oh no. This is not good! I reached behind me and pulled out a handle. With a press of a button, a sword emerged.

Not a bayard but it’ll have to do.

I’ve never had a sword fight in zero gravity. Should be interesting. 

However I never got to experience that. A large energy blast shot out and knocked Zarkon away and the Black Lion swooped towards us.

I quickly tucked myself into the Red Lion’s mouth, and Shiro picked Keith up with his Lion and made a beeline towards our comrades and the castle.

If we’re headed for the castle, they must have gotten Allura.

I clutched the Lion’s teeth as Shiro kicked the speed into gear and nausea began to surface.

If not with just the incredible speed, because of the concussion I most certainly got. 

The port opened and we flew in with the other Lions.

The Castle began to hum a bit and I can only assume Allura’s already on deck and starting the jump. My communications are still not working. 

The Castle shook, and the familiar thrum of the wormhole came to life. I thought we were home clear when the Castle began to shake unsteadily.

That’s not supposed to happen. What’s going on? I peeked out of the Red Lion’s mouth, looking around.

However I still couldn’t hear what was going on through the coms. 

Suddenly the door to the port opened and I saw the usual blue of the wormhole was a darker color and sparked more.

It kind of reminds me of a virus.

The Castle shook once more, and with the force of the wormhole, the Lions were all pulled out, me along with them.

I let out a shout, doing my best to keep my grip on Keith’s Lion. However, the force of the wormhole was too intense that even the working Lion’s couldn’t fly, and they were flung apart and out of the wormhole.

Because of the intensity, I lost my grip and screamed as I myself was flung out and into nothing but chaotic darkness.

I blame Emo.