Survivors (Keith x OC)

Chapter 30: Red Paladin

"I wish Shiro were here to tell us how to move on without him." Lance sighed, leaning back on the couch.

All of team Voltron was gathered in the seating area, trying to figure out what to do with their new situation. . . Fighting without Shiro. They all wore a look of defeat.

"Allura, when we first came here you told me that I would fly the green lion, and I thought there was no way. But then I found it and flew it, and Hunk flew the yellow lion and he isn't even a pilot." Pidge explained. "In fact, you told everyone who would pilot which lion."

"Yeah, how did you do that? Did we ever find out how you did that!? Can you do that now?" Hunk pleaded.

"Sadly no. When you arrived at the castle, I immediately recognized the special qualities in each of you. But I do not know how to search an entire universe for a new paladin."

"Keith, you piloted the black lion when you had to save Shiro. Perhaps you are the one." Coran suggested.

Everyone's attention went to Keith, including Phoebe's. She knew how Keith felt about losing Shiro, and she knew that he wasn't mentally prepared to replace him.

"Keith would be the worst leader for Voltron", Lance objected.

"Yeah, we all have our thing," Pidge added. "Keith's the loner. I'm the brains. Hunk is the nice one. Allura is the decision maker. Coran is the wise old guy. Phoebe is the peacemaker. And Lance is the goofball."

"Mmhm, yeah that's r- WAIT A MINUTE! I'm not the goofball! I'm like the cool, ninja sharpshooter." Lance said in his own defense.

"You are joking, right?" Phoebe giggled.

"I am being completely serious when I say I don't want you to be leading me anywhere!" Lance exclaimed, pointing at Keith.

"I don't want to be the leader! That's just what Shiro wanted!" Keith shouted. The moment he said those words, a look of pain and regret came over him. Phoebe noticed. She got up from her seat and walked over towards Keith, resting her hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"What are you talking about?" Hunk asked, shocked at Keith's response.

"Nothing."

"Shiro wanted you to be his successor, didn't he?" Pidge asked the red paladin.

Silence fell across the room. Keith didn't want to admit it, because if he did then that would make it true, that he was entrusted with the role of leader by Shiro. That it would now be his responsibility and duty to lead Voltron into battle.

"Well, I never heard Shiro say that, and how convenient that you are bringing it up now when Shiro is gone?" Lance argued.

"Look! I was there! It is true!" Phoebe shouted. "When Shiro, Keith and I were stuck on that planet together we didn't think that we would all make it out. Shiro trusts Keith, and he knew that if the time ever did come that he wasn't here that Keith would be his first choice."

"If you want the job so badly, you can have it!" Keith yelled at Lance.

"Now hang on! I called the head from the very beginning!" Hunk interjected.

"What about me?" Pidge asked. "I'm the one picked up on the radio waves that let us find Voltron in the first place."

"Will you all just shut up!" Phoebe yelled at the top of her lungs, making then entire room go quiet. "Why are you all acting like school children fighting over who's turn it is to play tag?!"

"Besides, it is not our decision to make." Coran added. "We must allow the lion to decide."

"Coran is right. We must all present ourselves to the black lion, to see who bare this glorious burden." Allura spoke up.