Time Will Tell (Keith Angst💔)

Part 5: Next Generation

AN: Not much angst in this one, but it's introducing new characters 💕 I have no idea how I got their names other than slamming my hand down on the keyboard and going from there.

"Welcome all!" Allura said cheerily, looking around at the group of aliens of all races. "Today we will be assessing your physical abilities! Those who do not pass must leave, and those who stay are one step closer to being paladins!" She smiled. Keith stepped up next to her, wearing the paladin armor of the back paladin.

The group whispered and murmured uneasily, intimidated by his Galra appearance. He didn't say anything, looking down at them with keen eyes, keeping a blank expression. "This is Keith Kogane, the Black Paladin and the leader of Voltron." A hand shot up in the crowd, drawing Allura's attention. "Yes?"

"You trust him? Even though he's Galra?" A little voice called out, getting agreed murmurs from the others. Keith looked at Allura, who seemed nervous by the question. "Yes, I do trust him. When I first found out that he was Galra... I was enraged. His people destroyed my home and murdered my race. He has proven to me that he is worthy to lead Voltron." She smiled at him, putting a hand on his shoulder. "He didn't always look Galra, but I trust him with my life." Looking around at the crowd again, she stood straighter. "If any of you have a problem with a Galra Paladin, please leave."

The group thinned a little, a fifth of them leaving. Keith looked at the others, smiling faintly. "I look forward to working with the chosen four. Good luck." He said smoothly, though his voice was low and gruff.

"Let's begin!!"

-----

That night Allura, Keith, and Coran sat at a table together, going through names of the aliens who tried out. Half the group was sent home because of lack of physical skills while the other half rested in the castle rooms. Keith groaned softly, resting his head on the table, hearing Allura chuckle. He looked up, confused. "What?" Keith asked impatiently, prompted to frown by her giggling. "Your ears!" She laughed, reaching over, rubbing one softly. Keith bit his lip, grumbling softly, refusing to admit that it felt nice. "Oh so I have Galra ears now? Since when? Lance would've loved-" Keith stopped himself, letting out a heavy sigh. Allura retracted her hand, lifting his chin. "It's okay, Keith." She whispered, rubbing his head.

He smiled softly, smoothing down his fluffed up hair. "Okay, let's continue." Allura nodded, looking back at the list. "Next we have Aoci..."

-----

The next morning, they called the group forward. Twelve creatures stood at attention, looking anxious for the day. "Good morning!" Allura chirped, hands on her hips. "Bright and early! Today, you will be attempting to bond with a lion. Be open to the lion, as you do not choose the lion, the lion chooses you." She looked at Keith, nodding. He lead them to the main hangar, where the Black Lion rested with it's particle barrier up. The other lions were sitting similarly to either side, drawing gasps and murmurs from the aliens. Keith smiled to himself, holding his helmet under his arm. "The Lions are picky creatures. They choose paladins they think will fit into the group. If you're one to challenge orders, you'll have a difficult time. Trust me."

With that, he turned and placed a hand on the Black Lion's particle barrier, watching it dissolve under his touch. He turned to look at Red, his expression softening. "Some Lions may have difficulty picking a new pilot. Do not be discouraged."

A hand raised in the group, a bright and young looking male alien stood straighter when Keith's gaze settled on him. "Yes, Cie?" Keith asked, turning to face the group. The purple eyed alien cleared his throat, suddenly nervous. "If I may ask, what happened to the other paladins?" Keith looked at Allura momentarily, swallowing a lump in his throat. He directed his attention back to the tan skinned male, sighing softly. Cie reminded him so much of Lance already, how his darker skin complimented his bright eyes, though he had white hair that was tied into braids that rested against his back. A thick tail swished from side to side anxiously, one of the main differences from Lance. From what he watched when Cie was showing off his combat skills, he was good with close combat but also with a long-distance rifle, and was very humble. Keith selfishly hoped the lions would reject him. "The Galra killed them off, one by one," He snapped back to reality and said coldly, turning to look at the Black Lion. "And that is why I still fight."

"Any other questions?" He asked, sweeping his eyes over the group. Heads shook, but one hand tentatively went up. "Yes? Jieda?" "How did you become the leader of Voltron, being Galra and all?" She immediately clamped her mouth shut, her eyes wide with the words that spilled from her lips. "I-I'm sorry!! I didn't mean it like that!" She said quickly, wanting to shrink down when Keith walked over.

Keith put a hand on Jieda's shoulder, smiling softly. "I don't mind the question. The previous paladin, Takashi Shirogane, who went by Shiro, passed the responsibility on to me when he realized how quickly he was aging. He wanted Voltron to be a stable unit, and believed giving me the Black Lion was the best choice. I was originally the pilot of the Red Lion before I was chosen by Black."

"Who piloted the Red Lion, then?" Another curious alien spoke up, an Olkari youngling. Well, not young, but middle teens. Keith couldn't remember her name off the top of his head, something like Peyzona. He'll ask Allura later. "My partner, Lance McClain piloted Red." He looked over at Red, whose eyes dimmed lightly at the mention of Lance's name. "Let's get started." He said before any more questions could be asked, putting his helmet on. "Let's try it in an order. Yellow, Green, Red, then Blue." He looked at the others, smiling.

"Line up."