Survival of the Innocent (A Voltron fanfic) (Book 1 of Fates Entwined)

Entitlement Part 2

Shiro speaks to Allura and Coran over the communication channel.

"Coran, Allura, are you there?" Shiro asks.

"Shiro, we're here," Allura answers.

"The Balmera—" Shiro begins.

"We already know. Our scanners are showing the life energy draining from the Balmera," Coran cuts him off and brings up a scan of the Balmera on screen of the Castle of Lions.

In the mine shaft, Pidge activates her armor to view the scan, "How does that happen?"

Coran speaks to the Paladins through the communication channel as Pidge and Shiro show the other Paladins the scan of the Balmera, "Removing crystals from a Balmera is like removing a vital part of the mighty beast. The Balmera needs time to regenerate itself to stay healthy, but the Galra's greed may have cost this noble Balmera its life."

"So, what's gonna happen?" Hunk worries.

"Its core will collapse, destabilizing the entire skeletal structure. Anything or anyone remaining on the Balmera at that point will be crushed into dust," Coran answers.

"How long before its core collapses?" Shiro asks.

"Probably a matter of hours. The mighty organism willingly gives itself to all, but not all return its kindness."

On the Castle of Lions, Allura stands at the Bridge, "Then our time is short. We'll evacuate the planet. We need to get all the Balmerans to the Castle of Lions before the planet implodes."

Shiro and Hunk appear on the Castleship's screen.

"Okay, that sounds like a good plan, but how on Earth do you plan on landing the Castle with that monster-thingy on the surface?" Hunk asks.

Pidge appears on the Castleship's screen, "You'll need a distraction."

"We'll engage the beast in our Lions. With it distracted, Allura and Coran will land the Castle and load all of its citizens," Shiro decides.

"Or we could load Balmerans into our Lions a few at a time and shuttle them to the ship. No engaging ferocious laser-eye guy. How long would that take?" Lance offers.

"Days? Weeks?" Coran calculates.

"We only have hours," Keith informs them, Red and the Lions whining at the pain of the great Balmera.

"Look, we don't need to beat this thing. We just need to bait it away from the ship. Provoke and evade," Shiro instructs.

"Okay, here's the thing. I'm worried that we're going to be really, really good at the provoking part, and then like really bad at the evading part. But if—if this is what it takes to save Shay and everyone on the planet, then I'm in," Hunk answers.

Keith turns to Shay, recalling what he knows about her race from the Balmerians he met in the arena, "Can you contact the other Balmerans?"

"I can, but I know not what they'll say. Leave the planet? Our home?"

In the Castle of Lions, Allura decides, "It's the only option. I'm coming down."

"Princess, no! It's too dangerous!" Coran tries.

"Someone has to be there to lead these people out."

Pidge speaks to Allura through their video transmission, "You're coming down? That thing will spot your pod and blow it to pieces."

"Let me worry about that. You just focus on keeping the creature distracted."

The Paladins launch their Lions from the mine shafts and attack Drazil, who gives chase.

"Okay, we've provoked. Time to evade!" Hunk screams.

Allura is preparing to launch from the Castle of Lions on a drop-sled.

Shiro speaks over their communication channel, "Princess, we've lured the monster away. It's time."

"I'll contact you all when I'm on the ground," Allura replies.

Coran speaks over the Castle intercom, "Be careful out there."

Allura launches from the Castleship.

Lance sees her descent, "Is that Allura?"

The Robeast Drazil tries to attack Allura with laser fire.

"We gotta protect the Princess!" Hunk yells and shields Allura with the Yellow Lion but is badly hit.

The other Paladins distract Drazil so Allura reaches the mine shafts safely. Shiro speaks to her over the communication channel.

"I'm on the ground."

"Hurry! I don't know how long we can hold this thing off," Shiro orders.

Allura runs over to Shay and her family, "Shay, I'm going to need your help."

"Princess?" Shay asks.

Allura places her hand on the tunnel wall, asking, "Have you contacted the other Balmerans?"

Shay and her family look dejected.

"What is it? What's going on?"

"All Balmerans give thanks for the kindness you and the Paladins bestowed upon us, but, alas, we cannot take leave of our home," Shay answers.

"What?"

"If our great Balmera's life cycle is over because of us, then our desire is to stay with it until the end."

"But you'll never survive."

"We contacted the others, and all agree. It's not right that you risk your lives for us. Please, away. We ask for no more guilt and shame upon us," Rax requests.

"It is our wish. The wish of all Balmerans."

"No. I won't give up on you. I won't give up on any of you, no matter the circumstances."

"But we do not ask this of you. Please!"

"I have heard your words. Now let me speak mine. I want to talk to the Balmerans. Can you get a message to them from me?"

"There is no need to speak for you. You have a unique power within. The Balmera will carry your words," Shay's grandmother points to Allura's hand on the wall, which is glowing (with plot magic).

Allura recoils at the sight.

"Speak your heart, child. All can hear you," Shay's grandmother takes Allura's hand and places it back on the wall.

Allura focuses and speaks aloud, but her words are transmitted to all Balmerans, "Balmerans, this is Princess Allura. You don't know me, but I am here to help. I know what it's like to watch your home planet die. For I come from planet Altea, a planet that has long been destroyed by the Galra. But I refuse to give up. And now, you all have the same choice. You can decide now to devote your lives to making sure this never happens to another planet. I am eternally sorry for what has happened to the Balmera, but I beg you, do not let its dying be in vain. Honor the Balmera's death by refusing to give up. Join me in my fight against the Galra."

Shay's grandmother places her own hand on the wall to hear the response, "Your words have touched our hearts."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you. You've given us reason to hope again," Shay's grandmother replies.

"Everyone, head to the caves just under the surface."