Chapter Text
Your POV:
The cryopod bursts open, and I slowly open my eyes. I shiver once my body makes contact with the cold air surrounding me. The planet I managed to land on is freezing.
I wobble out of the pod, and my eyes squint from the brightness surrounding me. Goosebumps ripple on my skin and the sun on this planet is not doing much to help with the gnawing cold from biting into my skin. Pushing through the wreckage of my ship, I start chipping away at the metal door which has been frozen shut.
“Stars above,” I grumble, hauling all of my body weight into the next push. “Damn it, open!”
The metal door creaks under the pressure, but it refuses to budge. My breaths come out in shallow, visible puffs, and the chill seeps into my bones. My fingers, already numb, fumble for the makeshift tool I salvaged from the cryopod’s emergency kit—a jagged piece of metal that’s seen better days.
"Stupid piece of—" I growl, jamming the shard into the icy seam of the door and levering it with everything I have. The door finally gives, groaning loudly as it swings open. “Yes! I did it!”
The sudden rush of air nearly knocks me back, a biting wind swirling in and carrying more of the relentless cold. I step out onto the surface of the planet and blink.
The landscape is a vast, glittering wasteland of ice and snow. Jagged peaks rise in the distance, their edges shimmering like glass under the pale sunlight. The ground beneath my boots crunches with every step, and the air is so thin it feels like I’m inhaling daggers.
Great. A tundra. Couldn’t have landed somewhere warmer, could you, you damn scrap of metal?
I wrap my arms around myself, my tattered clothing doing little to shield me from the cold. My body aches from the cryostasis, and my stomach growls loudly—a painful reminder of how long it’s been since I’ve had a decent meal.
“This planet better have food,” I mutter to myself, trudging forward. “Or shelter. Or literally anything alive.”
But as far as I can see, there’s nothing but endless ice and snow. The only sounds are the howling wind and the faint crunch of my boots on the frozen ground.
No Galra ships. No sentries. No drones.
The thought is both comforting and unsettling. Comforting, because I’ve finally managed to escape them. Unsettling, because I have no idea how long that will last.
I glance over my shoulder at the smoking remains of my ship, half-buried in the snow. It won’t take them long to find me if I don’t get moving.
They always find me.
Shaking the thought away, I focus on what’s ahead. There’s no time to dwell on the past. No time to think about the endless fights in the arena, the scars on my back, and the faces of the other prisoners who didn’t make it. I’m free now. For the first time in what feels like forever, I’m free.
And I’m not going back.
|••••••••••|
Hours pass—or at least, I think they do. Time is hard to measure in a place like this. The sun hasn’t moved much in the sky, and the bitter cold is starting to take its toll. My legs feel like lead, my fingers are numb, and my breath hitches with every step.
I need to find shelter. Or food. Or both.
A sharp crack suddenly pierces the air, and I freeze in place, my heart pounding. It sounds like ice breaking—close. Too close. My eyes dart around, scanning the horizon for the source of the sound.
Nothing.
Another crack echoes, louder this time, and the ground beneath me trembles. Panic grips me as I realize what’s happening.
The ice is giving way.
“Shit—” I manage to gasp before the ground splits beneath my feet. I lunge forward, scrambling for solid ground, but the ice collapses faster than I can move. I fall, plunging into darkness.
|••••••••••|
My head throbs and my body feels like it’s been run over by a Galra transport. I groan softly, forcing my eyes open.
The first thing I notice is the glow—a faint, bluish light illuminating the cavern around me. I sit up slowly, wincing as pain shoots through my limbs. My surroundings are surreal. The cavern walls shimmer with veins of ice and crystal, casting eerie reflections on the frozen ground.
I’m alive. Somehow.
Thank you, High Priestess Marmora.
The second thing I notice is the warmth. It’s faint, but it’s there—a stark contrast to the freezing wasteland above. I pull myself to my feet, my legs shaky but functional, and start to explore.
As I move deeper into the cavern, the glow intensifies, and the air grows warmer. I can hear the faint sound of running water, and my mouth waters at the thought.
Finally. A break.
But just as hope begins to bloom in my chest, I hear another sound—a low, guttural growl that stops me in my tracks. My heart leaps into my throat as my eyes dart around, searching for the source.
The growl comes again, louder this time, and I realize I’m not alone.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes emerge, followed by a massive, hulking figure. The creature—some kind of ice predator—stares me down, its fur bristling and its fangs glinting in the bluish light.
“Of course,” I mutter, my hands clenching into fists. “Because freezing to death wasn’t enough.”
The creature snarls, and I drop into a defensive stance. My body protests every movement, but I don’t have a choice.
I refuse to die before Emperor Zarkon does.
“Come on,” I say through gritted teeth, bracing myself for the fight. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The ice predator prowls closer, its massive paws crunching against the frozen floor. Its glowing eyes remain fixed on me, its low growls rumbling through the cavern. I crouch lower, my hands shaking slightly—not from fear, but from exhaustion. My body isn’t ready for this. It’s barely recovered from cryostasis and every muscle aches from the cold.
Still, I have endured much worse.
The Galra rings were a death sentence, but if there is anything I am, it is a survivor.
The predator lunges.
I sidestep, barely avoiding its claws as it slams into the ice where I’d been standing. The ground shudders from the impact, and a spray of frost and snow obscures my vision. I pivot sharply, using the shard of metal I’d salvaged earlier to slash at its flank.
The blade connects, and the creature howls in pain, its glowing eyes narrowing with fury. The sound echoes through the cavern, and for a moment, I wonder if it’s calling for backup.
I back away as the creature recovers. Blood—dark and viscous—drips onto the ice, but the predator doesn’t seem fazed. It circles me now, more cautious, its growls deepening.
“You think I fear you, beast?” I grit out.
I keep my eyes locked on it, my breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. My fingers grip the shard tightly.
The creature charges again, faster this time, and I have no choice but to meet it head-on. I duck low, aiming for its underbelly, but it anticipates my move. Its paw catches me across the side, and I’m sent sprawling across the icy floor.
The impact knocks the air out of my lungs, and pain flares through my ribs. I roll to the side just in time to avoid its jaws snapping down where my head had been.
I gasp, scrambling to my feet. The predator snarls, and I notice its movements are slower now. The wound I inflicted earlier is taking its toll. I just have to outlast it.
Easier said than done.
It charges again, but this time, I’m ready. I sidestep at the last moment, slamming the shard of metal into its shoulder as it barrels past me. The predator yelps, skidding to a halt before whipping around to face me again.
Blood drips from its wounds, staining the ice below. Its growls are weaker now, more labored.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper under my breath, my hands trembling as I deliver the final strike.
Once I’m sure it’s dead, I collapse to my knees, and my side throbs where its claws grazed me.
But I’m alive.
"Stars above," I mutter, staring up at the cavern ceiling. "What kind of luck is this?"
The faint sound of running water reaches my ears again, and I force myself to my feet. I follow the sound of the water deeper into the cavern, my steps unsteady. The purplish glow intensifies as I go, the veins of crystal in the walls pulsing faintly. It’s almost soothing, in a strange way.
The source of the light reveals itself as I round a corner: a small pool of water surrounded by glowing crystals. The air here is noticeably warmer, and I feel some of the tension leave my body as I approach the pool.
I kneel by the water’s edge, hesitating for a moment before cupping my hands and bringing the liquid to my lips. It’s cold but refreshing, and I can feel the energy returning to my limbs with each sip.
As I drink, I catch my reflection in the water—a pale, gaunt face framed by messy hair. My eyes stare back at me. For a moment, I see someone else there—Emperor Zarkon. My father.
I shake my head, splashing the water with my hands.
No. Not him. Never him. I don’t look anything like him.
I step away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. My hands tremble as I open the bag slung to my side. I look through it, digging through the scarce materials I brought with me. I grab my journal and a pen that is beginning to run low on ink, feeling grateful that there is some scarce light in this cavern.
Journal Entry: #12
Day: Unknown
Topic: Starvation
I’ve just awoken from my frozen state. I don't know how much time has passed. The stars are different from how I last remembered them. And this planet is so damn cold. I fell through the ice and I nearly died. Some tundra creature attacked me and I nearly died. Hopefully, a third near-death is not in my future.
From what I can see, the planet I currently occupy is empty, save for the creature. I don’t think there is any civilization here.
Planet Solitare, the temporary name I have given this planet, seems to have it out for me. I did manage to find a water source, so hopefully, I will survive long enough to make it off of this cursed planet.
I am so, so hungry. I might venture back and grab that creature and cook it over a fire. Oh, wait. I have no means of starting a fire.
I've been sleeping in my healing cyropod for the stars know how many years. Physically and mentally, I am still eighteen years old. That’s the beauty of frozen sleep—you remain completely frozen. It is as though I had a dreamless sleep.
Hopefully, I have been asleep for no more than three years. I was heading to Earth to see where I come from. My birth mother was apparently human—that’s what my brother Lotor told me. I’ve never met an Earthling before. I wonder how much they would look like me.
What languages do they speak? What is their religion? What food and customs do they have?
Earth is an anomaly for the Galra Empire. They are primitive creatures and so, Emperor Zarkon has no use for conquering the planet. If I somehow make it there, I should be safe.
It’s strange, isn’t it? To long for a home I’ve never known. To wonder if there’s a place among them for someone like me—a Galra, tainted by the Empire’s cruelty. But I’m not like my father.
Am I?
Sometimes I don’t know what to believe anymore.
I wonder if Lotor is still alive. He was always cunning, always one step ahead of Father, but the Empire is relentless. If Emperor Zarkon knew about his defiance...
No. Lotor’s smart. He’ll be fine.
And if I make it to Earth, maybe I’ll find a way to reach him. Maybe I’ll find allies.
My entire ship is destroyed, including my distress beacon. Given the circumstances of my departure, it is unlikely I would have used it. I did also manage to disable the tracking system, but one can never know with the Empire. There could be something I missed.
I fear I may lose my mind if I don’t find a way off this planet soon.
I hope my journey to Earth is successful. I’d love to see where I come from.
(Y/N).
My right/left-hand trembles as I set the pen down. I gently close the notebook and put everything back in my bag.
"(Y/N)," a voice calls as I stand.
My heart skips a beat.
"What...?" I whisper, stumbling back. My back collides with an icy wall.
Am I hallucinating? I have officially lost my mind. That didn't take long at all.
"Come to me."
“Come to you?” I ask, confused. My head whips around the cavern. “ Who are you?”
The voice pauses. “Walk down the hallway of the cavern. Follow the glowing purple crystals.”
I blink, turning my attention to the path the voice tells me of. “Why?”
The voice sighs. “Stars above, (Y/N), just walk.”
Pursing my lips, I huff as I follow its instructions.
I better not get killed.
I whisper a short prayer, asking the goddess Ara for a safe passage.
My mouth hangs open as I stare at the end of the path. A ginormous robot in a purple dome stands before me. I blink several times and rub my eyes.
Still there.
A light violet force field surrounds the Purple Lion. With only slight hesitation, I reach out and touch the dome. It immediately dissolves. I slowly walk towards the giant robot, and it opens its mouth, gesturing for me to come inside.
I stumble back at the sight of its mouth opening wide. A pathway lights up.
“Are you going to eat me?” I ask.
“No.”
I slowly enter the beast, and it takes off at a fast speed.
I throw myself into the pilot’s chair and clutch onto the armrests. My breathing quickens, but I try to steady myself.
"Welcome (Y/N)," the lion greets.
I raise my eyebrows and look around. "Um, hello," I respond cautiously.
"No need to be afraid," the feminine voice calmly states. I can sense a slight smile in her words. "I am the Purple Lion, the Lost Lion of Voltron. You are now my Paladin."
I blink. “What?”
“I said that—”
“I heard you just fine,” I interrupt, watching as we soar through Planet Solitaire’s atmosphere. “Wait, where are we going?”
"We are making our way to our new home: Planet Arus. As for my name, you can call me Violet."
I shake my head, frowning. "You couldn’t have done this later? I was getting ready to eat." My stomach grumbles.
I could really go for some food right about now.
Violet laughs softly. "We have a long journey ahead of us. I suggest you rest."