The Paladin's Honour

Prologue

*Author's Note: This story was in my mind since before season 3 (seasons 3 and 4) and season 4 (seasons 5 and 6 (though it does have some aspects in it, such as the original Paladins of Voltron and the house Keith grew up in)). Now I know Shiro is "officially" 25 and Keith is "officially" 18 at the beginning of the series, but I feel as though the age gap is a bit smaller than that since in the DreamWorks website and published media describe the Paladins as "five unsuspecting teenagers" which makes Shiro no older than 19. But I feel as though he may be more of either 22 or 23 while Allura appears closer to Shiro's age than the other Paladins. Anyway, this prologue consists of head-canons such as how the Red Lion came to be in Galra possession by the start of the series, as well as how Zarkon got his scar. May contains character deaths (written and implied) and other subject matters that can scare or upset a younger audience. Reader discretion is advised.*

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Allura's POV

I don't know why, but when the Paladins of Voltron left to investigate a distress call from the nearby system... I keep having a feeling that I could not shake no matter how many times; a feeling that something's terribly wrong. Seeing the lions return broke my current train of thought, although I still couldn't shake this feeling. I rushed toward the lions' hangars, hoping that none of them are hurt... "Don't be absurd. They will be fine, especially Ryou. He was a Lanayran High Valor Guard before becoming a paladin. I mean, why else would Queen Kushana presented him to Father and King Zarkon for the latter to accept him as his successor to pilot the Black Lion— the same way King Zarkon presented Marmora to be Father's successor as the Red Paladin and Father presenting Isamu as Blaytz's." I thought to myself before catching the glimpse of the Paladins heading for the bridge, yet my heart skipped a beat when I noticed that Ryou was not with them. I shook my head, "No. he's probably ahead of them..." Though my curiosity is getting the better of me, I decided to follow them toward the bridge.

As I approached the bridge, I can hear Marmora spatting out angrily. "—I still can't believe Zarkon would do something like this, especially when it violate the Paladin Code. He may be my king, but I would never follow him into this senseless battle— let alone betray Voltron." Hearing this really struck me like one of the rocks that sometimes fall into Altea's atmosphere, especially since Marmora would never address King Zarkon like that. "Betray Voltron?!" I thought to myself before Father's voice rang up, breaking about a couple ticks of silence. "Where is the Black Lion now?" he asked, "In its hanger, Your Majesty." Hiroshi, the Green Paladin, replied forlornly. "Though its eyes have remained dull ever since it landed, almost like they were lifeless..." Unable to take it any longer, I entered; ignoring the surprised looks. "Princess..." Coran spoke up, "Allura, how much did you hear?" Father asked me, somewhat disturbed that I've eavesdropped— especially when I know better. "Only the part where Marmora said that she wouldn't betray Voltron." I answered truthfully, "But what does she mean by that?" The four paladins and Coran looked away when I asked that. "She meant that the distress call... was used to lure the Paladins into a trap." Father said reluctantly, causing me to bring my hand over my mouth in shock. "Zarkon was planning to ambush us and take the lions by force, especially the Black Lion. He even claimed a life..." Galcia, the Yellow Paladin, explains before reluctantly adding the last part. "And though we managed to escape, it was not without a price." He then turns his attention to Father. "He's on his way to Altea with a fleet as we speak, Your Majesty." Father nodded, "Thank you for informing me, and I am truly sorry for having you witness that first-hand." And that is when I notice something was off.

"Wait. Where's Ryou?" I asked before remembering what Hiroshi had said before entering and the lion's bond with its paladin; piecing it together with Galcia saying that they didn't escape without a 'price'... "No... When you said that Zarkon claimed a life... it couldn't be... he didn't—" My voice trembled before Isamu said with anguish, "I'm sorry, Princess. Ryou sacrificed himself so we could escape with the Black Lion." Hearing this was like a knife being stabbed through my heart. Very similar to the friendship among the original Paladins of Voltron, I have grown close to their successors— though I recently realized that my feelings for the Black Paladin has grown more than that... I felt tears streaming down my face as the reality struck me, I will never get the chance to tell Ryou how I feel— or even ask if he feels the same. I was somewhat aware of the war, but why would Zarkon go that far.... Father asked Coran to escort me off the bridge, I let him take me away— still in shock from not only Ryou's death, but also Zarkon's betrayal. The latter I won't believe until I witness it with my own eyes.