As Cold as Fire [VOLTRON Keith X OC]

The black paladin

My heart didn't stop thudding even as we climbed onto the castle of lions. Quiznak, just thinking about Coran's reaction turned my insides into nervous mush.

"We'll get her back," a voice I didn't expect to hear whispered. Lance gave me a strained smile, and I forced one back.

"I know," I replied. As soon as we entered the bridge Shiro spouted orders.

"Pidge, scan the download from the ship. Find out where Zarkon's central command is."

"On it!"

Coran furrowed his brows, looking over each of us, trying to spot the missing person, "What happened? Where's Allura?"

Shiro glanced at me, silently suggesting it would be better if I broke the news.

"She was captured," I swallowed hard, "She sacrificed herself to save Shiro and the info. But... we're gonna get her back." I walked up to him, trying to ignore the horrible distress evident in his eyes.

"How is that possible?" He exclaimed.

Shiro said, "Coran, I'm sorry things didn't go as planned, but we can't focus on what went wrong. We've got to figure out how to make it right." Coran didn't reply.

"Guys, look at this," Pidge interrupted. She gestured to her computer, where she had found the layout of the main base.

"It's huge," I muttered.

Pidge looked up from her computer, "I think we should go in right away. Every minute we waste gives Zarkon time to prepare for us."

"I agree," Lance nodded, "We form Voltron, fly in, fly out, dust off our hands, and walk away."

Hunk frowned, "Um, 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!"

"We can't just not go," I argued, "We just need to make a plan, and quick. They could be hurting her right now as we speak." The paladins let my words sink in. We all fiddled nervously, racking our brains to try and think of what to do.

Keith narrowed his eyes, "Or maybe we shouldn't go on this mission at all."

I gaped, sure I had heard him wrong. He ignored my stare.

"Think about it. We'll be delivering the universe's only hope to the universe's biggest enemy."

"Keith, that's cold, even for you," Hunk spoke for us, "What if it was one of us? What if it was me? You wouldn't leave me, would you? ...Would you?"

Keith didn't reply. "I'm not saying I like the idea. I'm just thinking like a paladin."

"Are you seriously suggesting that we leave my sister?" I asked. It was meant to come off as harsh but instead sounded more... hurt. He finally met my eyes.

"I know it sounds bleak, but-"

"That's not bleak, Kogane, that's just cruel."

He raised his voice slightly, "You literally hated her half an hour ago!"

"That doesn't mean she's not still my sister!!"

Lance sided with me, glaring at Keith. "Maybe, you're just thinking of yourself as always, because you're too scared to do what's right!" Keith growled in response, curling his fists.

Pidge cringed. "Okay, we're all just upset because we lost Allura-"

"No, Shiro lost Allura!" Coran spoke for the first time since we had told him.

"Damn right he did," I added resentfully before I could stop myself. Shiro winced as he looked away, and I felt a stab of guilt poke at me.

Hunk stood in the middle, holding his arms out to stop us. "Okay, okay! This isn't helping. We can't just sit here and bicker like this."