Voltron: Tales of the Valkyrie (Voltron Legendary Defender fanfic)

Epilogue

Krolia strapped on her gear and sheathed her Galra blade on her belt. "I'm going whether you come or not."

Shiro's arm blocked her path. The fact it could move without being joined to his shoulder still freaked him out. "I want to make sure they're okay as well, but we don't know enough."

From Earth, Menaku was out of sight. However a few hours ago, a bright light had appeared. Brighter than any star, it had to be quintessence. Then, an hour later, gone. Worlds stabilized gradually. Shiro contacted whoever he could to get info. Even the warriors of Valkara didn't know the fate of Voltron.

Krolia swatted his arm away. "My son is up there. I lost him once. Not again." She moved toward the ships when a Valkaran vessel exited a wormhole. The silver ship landed on the airfield, gold trim glowing in the afternoon sunlight. 

Axca disembarked, followed by Nix and Aurora. Axca walked briskly. "Any word?"

"None," Shiro replied.

Krolia wrapped her arms around Axca, taking the lieutenant off guard. "Don't worry, my dear. We'll find Keith. Everything will be all right."

Axca pulled away. "Ok-ay. I'm sure he and the rest of Voltron will be back shortly. My concern is the Lady Valkyrie. Shiro, you should've told me she was alive. I would've sent support."

Shiro came closer to the group. "Your communications were down. What'd you expect from me?"

Axca planted her hands on her hips. "Valkyrie don't make excuses; they get the job done. My leader was on your base and you allowed her to leave without proper support. If I-"

"The lions have returned!" Coran yipped the proclamation across the airfield. The Voltron lions appeared in the sky and landed in the center of the airfield.

Lance and Hunk disembarked, enveloped in cheers. Pidge came out and found her father in the masses. Lance ran to Allura and wrapped his arms around her. 

Aurora lit up immediately and ran for the black lion.

Keith and Star walked down, arm in arm. She sighed quietly. "Maybe when we're done here, you can come with me to Valkara for a little while."

"Won't that upset the power?"

She rolled her eyes. "Are you taking my invitation or not?"

"Starlight!" Aurora came running through the growing crowd.

Star released her grip and ran for Aurora. They met in the middle. "You're here! Is Valkara all right? Did the villagers make it?"

Axca and Nix came out of the crowd. Star stood. They bowed to one another, maintaining composure for a moment before banding together in a group hug.

Krolia found Keith and hugged him tight. "I'm so glad you're all right."

Keith let go. "Nothing to worry about. Just another day as the black paladin."

She grinned. "I'm so glad. Though I would've thought Axca would be more pleased to see you."

Keith's mood dropped. He'd completely forgotten about his mom and the relationship she thought he had. "About that-"

Star joined the group. "You must be Krolia, Keith's mother. I am Lady Starlight of the Valkyrie. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She bowed slightly.

Krolia returned the gesture. "Lovely to meet you as well. I hear Valkara is in good hands."

"I sure hope so."

Keith cleared his throat. "Mom, Starlight is my girlfriend, not Axca."

Axca blushed slightly while Nix stifled a laugh. Krolia glanced between the two warily. "But I thought-"

Star interjected. "My apologies, Krolia. I didn't want you to know until we could meet face-to-face. I'd heard so many wonderful things, I wanted you to get to know me personally."

Keith leaned toward Star. "What are you doing? I never talked about-"

She elbowed him in the rib and kept smiling.

Krolia ignored her son's outburst of pain and observed Starlight carefully. "Obviously, he took after my taste in mates."

Star remarked. "The superior taste, most likely."

They laughed. Krolia turned to Keith with a bright smile. "I like this one. You should've told me about her."

She looked to Star and gestured toward the base. "Come. We have much to discuss."

"I'm honored." Star followed. It wasn't long before they were laughing again.

Keith rubbed his side. "Should I be worried?"

Axca shrugged. "Star has tamed the most ruthless dictators in political discussion and quieted conflict in the most heated debates. I think she can handle a conversation with your mother."