The Castle of Lions’ hangar lit up as Red Lion touched down, the metallic hum echoing through the vast chamber. You followed Keith down the ramp, your boots hitting the floor with a hollow weight. The Blade had been your world for thousands of years now — shadows, secrets, survival — but Keith had insisted you come back with him. Said it was time. Said they needed you.

You didn’t expect to see her.

The moment Allura and the other paladins stepped into the hangar, her eyes fell on you — and her face shattered into a hundred emotions at once. Shock. Pain. Anger.

“…You.” Her voice was sharp enough to cut steel.

You didn’t answer. You couldn’t. Your throat tightened as memories clawed their way up: a palace garden on Altea, stolen hours laughing under starlight, two young princesses whispering about futures they’d never live. And then the night it all ended — fire, Zarkon's path tearing everything apart.

Allura’s expression hardened, fury burning behind her eyes. “Keith, do you know who you’ve brought here?”

He stiffened. “…She told me she’s Zarkon's daughter. But she’s not him, Allura. She’s—”

“Do not speak for her!” Allura snapped, her voice cracking at the edges. She turned on you fully now, her chest rising and falling with restrained rage. “You chose him. While Altea burned, while my people died, you stood at his side!”

The accusation cut deep. You flinched, but forced your voice steady. “I didn’t choose him. I never did. I was powerless to stop him, and when I could finally act, I ran ten thousand years ago — to the Blade, to fight the very empire he created.”

Her laugh was bitter, jagged. “You're full of lies.”

Keith’s jaw tightened. He moved closer to you, his hand brushing your arm like he could ground you in place. “She saved my life more than once. She’s risked everything for this fight. If I didn’t trust her, she wouldn’t be here.”