Reflecting

Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron Force, new or old

So, this is my new story and first Voltron story, and there's a lot of flash backs in this chapter, but it's explaining everything. Be kind. Enjoy.

The sun was setting on Arus, the sky stained pink and purple. While the other members of the Voltron Force talked in the castle, Daniel stood on the east balcony reflecting on how his life had changed in the almost three years he'd been on this planet and been a part of the Force, and the major turning point in his life. He had been commander of the Voltron Force for over a year, but he would've been commander, and black lion, sooner had it not been for certain conditions.

Flash back

"What happened out there Daniel? One minute you're running ahead of the pride and then the next you turn around and start going crazy and attacking us. What gives?" Lance asked frantically. Daniel was still in a haze.

"Wait? I did what?" Daniel asked. Keith grabbed him by his shoulder.

"You mean to tell us that you don't remember nearly damaging each lion to near irreparable?" Keith shouted. Daniel cringed at his tone.

"I don't. I don't remember anything other than the seat changing and running ahead of everyone." Daniel said quietly. This struck the team as odd; Daniel was never quiet or shy. Vince was trying his hardest to keep his mouth shut and Daniel felt bad that he had begged Vince and Larmina keep such a secret…wait, where was Larmina?

"Where's Larmina?" Daniel asked, concealing the depth of his concern.

"She was trying to stop you. She's in the med wing healing, but you might be able to go see what damage you've done when you tell us what happened back there." Keith said angrily. Daniel was in a tight spot.

Flash back break

Daniel lowered his head, he still had never forgiven himself for that, keeping the secret from everyone and putting Vince through that all. He smiled to himself though, even though I was mad at him after wards, I knew it was for the better, Daniel thought.

Flash back continuation

"Just tell them already Daniel." Vince pleaded. Daniel looked at him, shocked and angered.

"What are you talking about Vince?" Allura asked softly. Daniel shook his head while no one looked.

"If you don't, I will." Vince threatened meekly. Vince knew that Daniel could take him in a fight, but he knew that if Daniel jumped, the others would stop him and see what he meant. Vince could already see that Daniel was starting to lose it.

"Daniel, what is he talking about? Why is this all so secretive, I thought we were all pals?" Hunk said sadly.

"It's nothing." Daniel struggled to say through gritted teeth. He was fighting the Haggarium that raced through his system.

"Stop lying Daniel! I know you're lying, we have a telepathic connection remember!" Vince shouted. The team was surprised by this, but continued watching the two fifteen year old boys argue.

"Vince, shut up already!" Daniel said, his purple eyes flashing for just a second, too short for anyone to catch.

"No! They need to know. You made me and Larmina keep your secret, even when we became members of the Force. We thought it was minor until today! Tell them!" Vince shouted.

"Tell us what Daniel?" Keith and Lance asked in unison. Daniel was no longer paying attention to anyone else but Vince, and soon he started seeing red and then he fell to the ground in pain. Everyone could see the glowing eyes. Allura was frightened for him, Pidge and Hunk were shocked, and Keith and Lance were in awe.

"He's infected with Haggarium…yet Black accepted him, even when he acted out…he's meant to be the leader, but he can't…not yet. Pidge, is there a way to heal him?" Allura asked frightened. Daniel screamed out in pain and then slipped into unconsciousness.

Flashback Break

Daniel thought about how he felt even more ousted from the Force. He hated that feeling, more than the pain of the Haggarium that had coursed through his veins.

Flashback Continuation

Daniel woke up in the med wing, three rooms down from Larmina's room. He looked around, saw he had been left in his cadet outfit, but placed in the bed. Vince walked in hesitantly.

"Hey buddy. Good to see you're up." Vince said quietly. Daniel was still drowsy.

"How did I get here?" Daniel asked.

"Lance and Keith carried you here. We haven't even started trying to pinpoint the Haggarium in you system until you were stable and awake. Sorry about that earlier man, but you had to tell." Vince said. Daniel hung his head.

"I know. I have trust issues." Daniel said.

"You trust me and Larmina." Vince said confused.

"I have trust issues with adults, since both my parents ditched me when I was two and I was later adopted about a year later." Daniel said sadly.

"And we can go over that later, but right now, get into this." Vince said, throwing the hospital shorts and shirt. Vince left and Daniel changed quickly before sitting down on the bed waiting for the rest of the force to enter. A few short moments later they all entered.

"So Daniel, when exactly did you get infected with Haggarium?" Pidge asked.

"Remember when my mind was put into Voltron? And the giant Lotor-Lider cocooned me. That's when." Daniel said, remembering what Vince had told him. It was then that Daniel noticed his voltcom was gone.

"Does this mean I'm off the force?" Daniel asked, fear in his eyes.

"Under normal circumstances, and if we still followed the old ways which Sven was caught under, then yes. But, considering that your case isn't nearly as advanced as Sven's is no. Of course, Queen Allura makes the final call." Pidge said, his eyes flicking to Allura.

"Of course Daniel's still on the force. It's not like he asked for this. But I'm still wondering why he got the contamination while none of us did." Allura said, her voice confused.

"Yeah, we've been exposed to that stuff hundreds of times and never been infected." Hunk said.

"Daniel, I'm going to need a blood sample and some hair for the DNA analysis so I can…" Pidge began.

"So you can do all sorts of science-y stuff that can somehow create a sort of anti-venom to the Haggarium." Daniel said.

"Well, yes." Pidge said chuckling. Daniel stuck out his arm and maybe blinked as the needle went into his vein and drew out some blood. Pidge plucked a few hairs after putting on some gloves and then he and Vince took off to the lab. Daniel was about ready to get up.

"Oh no, you're staying here. Sorry Danny-boy but until you're cured, you're in isolation." Lance said sincerely. Daniel nodded, understanding completely.

Flashback end

Daniel looked to the sky as he remembered spending a month in solitary confinement waiting for Vince and Pidge to find a cure, and then the seven months of double dose daily injections treatments. In his alone time he studied all the fights Voltron had been in, read strategy books of many cultures, and did some serious working out to keep in shape. By the time he was sixteen and a half not only was he fully cured – which Pidge and every doctor went to extreme lengths to make sure of, very awkward and embarrassing lengths – but he was back in the cockpit learning the ropes again of the robotic lion and Voltron. Every mission they had, he went on, and soon enough, at the ripe age of seventeen, he was finally passed down the cockpit of the Black Lion, and the title commander. Of course, Allura had knighted both Daniel and Vince for their strength and courage once Daniel was well again, even though they weren't native to Arus, they lived there now. Shortly after Daniel gained control of Black, Keith and Allura finally got married.

"I never knew my life would turn out to be this crazy, and there are some things I wish never happened, but in a way, that made me a better leader. I don't know if I'll ever be as great as Keith, but I'll do my best." Daniel said to himself.

"Good to hear." The familiar voice of Vince chimed in. Daniel turned to face his friend and fellow team member.

"You heard every bit of that, didn't you?" Daniel asked.

"Pretty much, every thought too." Vince chuckled.

"Why do you have to read my mind? You were there." Daniel chuckled.

"I know. So, why are you out here all alone? You know its dinner time right?" Vince asked.

"Hey, if it isn't my two youngest pals. Dan-man, Vince, what are you guys doing out here?" Lance laughed as he came onto the balcony.

"I came here to get Daniel." Vince said.

"I was just thinking about the past." Daniel said quietly.

"What about it…oh…your past…right, it's the second anniversary of that isn't it?" Lance asked.

"Yeah." Daniel said.

So, I decided to wait till New Years eve to post the first chapter of my new story so i could have a bit of a break. Anyway, my updates will start getting shorter because school starts back up soon. Anyway, constructive criticism is always welcomed. R&R.