Voltron: Keith x OC (White Lion) - Daughter of Light

Trade Off

"Bring me Lotor and the prisoner is yours. Meet my demands if you want to see the Earthling alive." said Zarkon, finishing the transmission.

"He's alive!" said Pidge, turning towards her brother. "Our dad is alive! We have to get him back!"

"We're going to." said Matt. "What's the plan, Shiro?"

"We can't rush into anything. We have to think this through." said Shiro.

"What's to think through? It's my dad! We're doing this!" said Pidge, infuriated.

"We need to operate under the assumption that Zarkon will try to double-cross us." said Shiro.

"We have Voltron! We can do anything!"

"Pidge..." said Matt, attempting to calm his sister.

"NO! We can't let this opportunity slip away! We're too close! OUR FATHER IS TOO CLOSE!"

Kanna placed a hand on Pidge's shoulder and closed her eyes. She attempted to use her abilities to pass calming energy waves to Pidge.

"Pidge, I know how you feel, but let's talk about this rationally and leave emotions aside for a minute." said Kanna.

It worked.

Pidge took a deep breath and looked down silently.

"We should start by speaking to Lotor." said Shiro.

---

"My father has held the universe in a death grip for millennia, but he sees it slipping from his grasp because of your efforts and because of mine." said Lotor, pacing in his cell. "With our forces combined, we would provide the greatest threat Zarkon has ever faced. He knows we could topple his empire, so this is his attempt to tear us apart. But united, we could forge a new path, open doors to new worlds and crush the tyrannical ways of an old regime."

"A regime you ran." said Pidge, tightening her fists. "We can't listen to him. He just wants to save his own skin."

"It's true. If you return me to my father, he would surely see to my demise. And with his most legitimate threat to the throne removed, he would only grow stronger."

"One less threat to Zarkon and one less threat to us." said Pidge, crossing her arms.

"King Alfor, once stood side by side with Zarkon and protected the universe from harm.
There was no foe the paladins of old couldn't defeat. Sadly, that time of peace has been lost, but, together, we can find it once more!"

"Lies! - Every word is a lie!" said Pidge.

"And what of Zarkon's words?" said Lotor. "You think he'll return your father as he says? You think the corrupted leader of a ruthless empire will be true to his word? He wants more than just me."

"You think he'll double-cross us." said Shiro.

'Well I could have told you that much.' thought Kanna, standing slightly away from the group. She was too scared to get involved.

"I think he'd do anything to rid himself of me and claim the Lions of Voltron." said Lotor.

"An alliance with the heir to the Galra throne could end the war." said Allura.

Kanna's heart sank.

"What?" said Pidge, angrily.

"It's not ideal. I don't like trusting the Galra, but it could be our best option." said the princess.

"NO!"

"Pidge, think of the lives we could save. Think of the countless worlds we could free."

"Think of my father!"