A NEW Beginning - Book 1

~Prologue~

"I'm afraid this is where we part ways." She said, turning to face the Paladins as they voiced words of surprise and disbelief. "This is our only chance to undo what has been done. To save all of existence. I have to take it. It is my purpose. Your paths go on. Mine ends here."

"But there is no Voltron without you" Hunk stammered.

"Voltron isn't needed anymore. The rest of the work is up to the people," she wiped away a tear, "and they'll have you to guide them, Hunk." She hugged him, and then turned to Pidge.

"Goodbye Pidge"

"I'm going to miss you, Allura"

She embraced the young Paladin, "Remain curious, and fearless" she whispered in her ear.

"Most of them won't know the sacrifice you made so they can live" Shiro said, trying to remain stoic.

She looked him in the eyes "And they'll never need to. Your selflessness taught me that. Thank you." she said, holding him tight, trying to convey all the respect and love she had into one hug, but it would never be enough.

"You. Never. Have to thank me for anything." he replied, barely able to get the words out.

She then turned to Keith.

"Keith. I can not thank you enough for all you have given me."

"Allura, when you accepted me, it helped me to accept myself. Thank you."

"There's greatness in your heart," she said, taking him in her arms, "and in your actions."

Allura led Lance away from the rest of the group, so they could have just one more moment alone. She could barely look into his eyes, her heartache mirrored on his face was too much.

"No. Allura. There has to be another way" stammered Lance.

"There is no other way. This is all we have" she replied, she looked up into his eyes, even though it was breaking both of them, tears running down their faces.

"But you're too important to the cause. You're. You're too important to me." he pressed his forehead against hers, and held it there.

Suddenly, a bright light burst from behind them, and many shadows began moving in the distance. One shadow broke away from the rest, moving towards Allura.

"You do not have to do this, my child." a man's voice said. "You have given enough. We will do this for you"

"Father?" she questioned, "How?"

Slowly the shadows closest to them became clearer. Melanor, Blaytz, Lady Trigel, and Gyrgan walked towards them proudly. Behind them followed Zarkon, Lotor, and Narti with Kova perched on her shoulder, walking side by side with Thace, Ulaz, Antok, Regris, and Ryner.

More and more faces come into focus. There were a few the Paladins recognized, but many they did not, as thousands and thousands of beings, of all races, slowly surrounded them.

"My son!" Honerva choked "You deserve so much better! I have done so wrong by you!" she cried as he took her in his arms, welcoming his mother for the first time.

"We both did." added Zarkon, joining in the embrace. "Look what we have done, my love. I am so ashamed" he said, wiping a tear away from her face.

"All will be forgiven," boomed Alfor, "as now it is time to write ALL wrongs." he looked towards the trio. "Lotor, please go stand in your rightful place." he said, gesturing towards the Paladins.

The three looked taken aback, and quickly looked to everyone else in the crowd, and saw nothing but kindness in the faces around them.

"Quickly now, before I change my mind." he chuckled, and Lotor went and stood beside the confused Paladins.

"You may have been misguided, my child," he said, placing his hand on Lotor's shoulder, "but ultimately, you wanted to preserve life. It is time for you to grow, to learn, to become the Prince you were meant to be, to be a leader, to help show your people the light."

He turned to the rest of the Paladins.

"Now is the opportunity to shape your reality. To learn from our mistakes, and pave the way forward to a brighter future. It is going to be a long and hard road, for the rest of the universe has not had the awakening you have, but the future couldn't be in better hands. You have already all proven yourself more than worthy. With your kindness, your curiosity, your selflessness, your protectiveness, your love, and your tenacity ," he said, nodding to Hunk, Pidge, Shiro, Keith, Lance, and finally Allura in turn, "The universe has the leaders it deserves."

"Now, make haste, and say your farewells, it's time to save the universe!"

The Paladins and Lotor were quickly overcome with friends and family embracing them, showering them with love, and leaving them with words of encouragement and belief. Last of all, Allura was embraced once more in her parents arms, receiving the tightest hug, before stepping back to stand hand in hand with her new family.

Alfor reached out, and took Melenor's hand on one side, and Zarkon's hand on the other, who in turn took hold of the hands of Blaytz and Honerva. The large crowd joined together, clasping hands, placing trunks on shoulders, interlocking antenna, until they were all connected by touch.

A hum began to emanate from the crowd, and the light behind them grew brighter and brighter, until the group could see nothing but a blinding whiteness, hear nothing but a pounding hum, and feel nothing, but the tight grip of the hand of the companion next to them. And then it all went black.