Spirit of the Lioness (Keith x OC): A Voltron Fanfiction

Chapter 21: Spirit of the Lioness

Nifa stood by Vrepta as everyone discussed a plan to take down Zarkon. What they had so far was infecting his ship with a virus. Then, they'd make an extra-large teludav and lure him inside of it, zapping him many light-years away. When he exited on the other side, Voltron would be there to finish him off. It was more complicated than it sounded, but it was their best bet at taking him down for good.

"Wow," Hunk said mystically after Lance briefed him on the plan. "So, this is it."

"I guess the only question is, when do we strike?" Pidge asked.

Coran pulled up an interface and pressed a few buttons, causing the projector to show the inner workings of a teludav. "As soon as we build a teludav big enough to wormhole Zarkon's ship."

Hunk groaned. "Oh, man. The teludav again? Does that mean we need more scaultrite?" 

"That's just one of the many things we'll need," Allura said.

"Am I, uh...am I sensing a trip back to the space mall here?" 

"I'm afraid not. This is gonna take a lot more scaultrite than we can find at any Unilu shop. For this plan to succeed, we're gonna need to split up," Coran corrected him. "We all have a task to do. Keith, Hunk, you'll be in charge of getting the scaultrite. Lance, Pidge, and Shiro, you all will travel to Beta Traz to rescue Slav, the Blade's technical genius. If any one of us fails, the entire plan fails."

The team nodded and disbanded, while Nifa hung back with Vrepta. He seemed to notice something was bothering her. "What troubles you, young cub?"

Nifa bent her brow. "I don't want to be sitting here doing nothing while the rest of the team contributes. It's happened too many times, and I'm getting a little antsy. I feel like there's more I can do, outside of the fight." She then faced her godfather with a look of determination. "Teach me how to awaken my Raionsupiritean blood."

"I-I beg your pardon?"

"Teach me how to connect with my alien half! I've done it once when I rescued Shiro from Zarkon in the astral field, I KNOW it's there! I just don't know how to do it on command yet." 

Vrepta bent his brow thoughtfully. "Are you sure that's what you want? I was taught the ways of the Raionsupiriteans by your father and the ways of the Galra by the Blades, and I know for sure neither of those trials are easy..."

"Can't be any worse than what I've already faced, can it?"

Nifa's godfather let out a small sigh, then looked to her, smiling. "Odd, isn't it? You were born to resemble your mother, but in your eyes and spirit, I see Niju, clear as day."

"Is that a yes?"

"...That is a yes."

***

The teams gathered in the hangars to say goodbye to one another. Shiro and Keith shared a hug as Hunk and Pidge shook both of each other's arms rapidly, both crying. Meanwhile, off to the side, Nifa prepped a pod while Vrepta checked their supplies. Keith noticed and walked towards them, telling Hunk to wait up on him for a moment.

"And where are YOU going?" he asked as he strode over. Nifa paused for a moment, then turned to speak with him. 

"You're not the only one who's had a revelation in the Blade's base," she answered. "I'm going off on a little voyage to explore my Raionsupiritean half. I don't know enough about that side of me to benefit the team. I'm hoping this journey will change that."

"You don't need to change ANYthing, Stargazer," Keith said. "You're perfect the way you are."

Nifa snorted in amusement at his charming statement. "Well, the mishaps I caused most of our missions say otherwise. Despite what you think, the things I've done to contribute to the team aren't quite enough. I'll be back before you know it."