Through the smoke and dust, you didn't feel anything hit your shield, all you heard was Zarkon scream. Looking up, you saw the Red, Blue, and Yellow Lion, along with the ship that Pidge and co. hijacked. They shot their lasers at him, kicking up more dust and dirt. You heard the whirring of the gun again. When the dust cleared, you saw Zarkon aiming at the lions.

"Oh hell no!" You let go of Lotor and a long spike of ice appeared in your hand. Lotor also went for a jagged stick that was stuck out of the ground. You and him both ran at Zarkon. Lotor used his boosters and you used your ice to jump over him before striking down at the same time. The weapon shot off in a bright beam of purple, but it didn't hit your team. Zarkon screamed, and the light from the weapon died down. You and Lotor watched as Zarkon took his last breaths. His suit powered down, losing its purple glow. You and Lotor looked at each other as the sun broke through the clouds, lighting up the planet.

~
You and Lotor sat on the bridge alone together. It was quiet between you two, but oddly enough, you didn't mind sitting in silence with him.

"I imagine the Galra Empire will crumble from the inside out without its leader," Lotor spoke first.

"I'm assuming they'll hold the Kral Zera ceremony sooner than later," you replied, "An empire as large as the Galra one can't afford to have such a powerful head missing."
Lotor sat on the steps, resting his arms on his legs, and clasping his fingers together.

"You were considered just as much of a child to Zarkon as I was," Lotor said, but he didn't continue his thought. You glanced at him.

"Where are you getting at?" You asked. He turned his head up to look at you.

"Should the time come where one of us shall rule... who would?"
You smirked.

"Whoever can best the other in combat."
Lotor chortled.

"You have me beat in that."
The doors slid open and Allura walked through. You nodded at her, but didn't say anything else.

"Princess Allura," Lotor greeted.

"Lotor," she greeted back. She stood in the middle of the room and crossed her arms. "They should be here any minute." She was referring to the rest of the paladins.

"Good, there is much to discuss," Lotor replied, looking down at the floor. Allura looked at him and furrowed her brows.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"I'll be fine."

'Well, we did murder his father in cold blood.' You thought.

"Y/n."
You looked up at Allura's call.

"I'm sorry about P/n," she said, genuinely looking sympathetic. You stared at her before gently shaking your head.

"Don't be," you replied softly, "There's nothing to be sorry for."

"What you did was for the greater good," Allura said, assumingly to both of you. "And for many of us, proof of your intentions for peace." She aimed the last part to Lotor. He just looked up at her. There was light beeping before the door opened, revealing the rest of the paladins. Lance was the first to react.

"Look, it's Prince Lotor, just hangin' out on the bridge." His eyes then found yours. "Y/N!" He ran into the room quicker than anything and engulfed you in a hug.

"Are you okay? What happened? Are you hurt?"
You smiled lightly, forcing him to stop by placing your hands on his shoulders.

"I'm fine, Lance," you replied with a chuckle. "Thank you for being concerned about me. It means a lot." Lance's cheeks grew warm, but he awkwardly laughed it off.

"Yeah! No problem sweet thang." He finger gunned you.

"Please don't start with this again."

"Sorry..."
Shiro walked into the room second.

"What's going on, Lotor?" He asked.

"The death of my father has created a power vacuum within the Galra Empire," Lotor explained, "The most formidable Galra leaders will gather for what is called the Kral Zera sometime in the next two days to decide who will take the throne. We must be there." As the others piled into the room, all of them just stared at him. Couple in apprehension, others in suspicion.

"So, you want us to fly you into the middle of a meeting with all of the most powerful Galra leaders?" Lance asked to clarify.

"Lotor, we appreciate all that you've sacrificed, but this sounds far too dangerous," Allura indirectly concurred.

"We've been in more dangerous situations with much less to gain," Shiro spoke up, "Putting Lotor on the Galra throne is what we've been discussing." You glanced at all of them.

"You're forgetting an important thing," Lotor spoke, drawing their attention. "Y/n is and has been considered just as legitimate as I have."

"So you're saying that either one of you could take the throne?" Shiro asked.

"I don't think any fighting between us will break out, but if we can come to a rash decision, it'd be the best," you finally spoke up. "Of course, you'd be flying into a war zone."

"We can't plan an operation this important so quickly," Allura said.

"We don't have a choice," Shiro argued.

"I'm with Allura. We need time to think this over," Lance spoke from the back.

"Lance, this is not your call," Shiro replied. Your eyes narrowed quickly at him. "Allura, the Coalition wouldn't be where it is right now without Lotor. We need to listen to him."

"Well, I'm with Allura too," Pidge sided, "This is too dangerous to pull of at the last minute."

"Agreed. So it looks like it's four-to-three, in the Princess's favor," Coran chimed in.

"Look, this isn't a vote. I'm the leader of Voltron. I'm making this decision."

"Like when you armed Lotor with your bayard without consulting the rest of us?" Allura challenged.

"That's right. Making that decision resulted in the removal of Zarkon."

"You put the entire operation in jeopardy."

"I put an end to Zarkon's reign. Now is the time to finish the job."

"Shiro, we're all on the same side here," Lance said softly, stepping up.

"I told you to stay out of this!"

"That's enough!" Frost coated the floor and you slid in between them, shielding Lance from him. He quietly gasped out your name. "Whatever it is you decide, Lotor can't go anywhere without you." Your eyes narrowed.

"But I can. Galra forces are planning to fill the power void in the empire. If either Lotor or I don't go to take the throne, who knows who will."

"Good. It's settled," Shiro finalized.

"How's that settled?" Pidge asked.

"Our hands are tied. The Kral Zera is happening. If we want to stop the Galra, we need to put Lotor or Y/n on the throne immediately."

~
You were back in your room, sitting on your bed and meditating. You took a deep breath in to steady your mind, but when you breathed back out, the castle shook lightly. Your eyes opened.

'Great. No rest for the weary.'

Ja ne!

{Ruby Red}