Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

This really sucks.

Lance laid in a cold dark cell on a Galra ship. He was looking at the ceiling with his brows furrowed. He was alone here, but it was worth saving those prisoners from the Galra. However, now with Lance here as a prisoner it means the Paladins can't form Voltron. 

Shiro will come for you.

Lance nods to himself.

He hadn't known the oldest Paladin long but after listening to Pidge talk highly of him as well as Matt, he knew that Shiro was a true leader and would never leave a man behind. Hell, they went back to save Allura when she got captured. So, Lance wasn't too worried about a recuse mission. If anything, Lance was worried about what his captors were planning with him.

Lance heard some noises coming from outside of his cell.

He rolls his head to the side to look at the door.

It's too soon to be a recuse mission, so this must be the torture.

Lance slowly sits up. His back resting against the wall.

The door opens revealing two Galra soldiers. Mean looking fellows. Lance was quickly grabbed forcefully and yanked out of his cell without a second thought. It didn't matter if Lance shouted that they were being too forceful, because they were not here for Lance's feelings.

Lance was hauled down a corridor where he was dragged to a door, which opened revealing an empty room.

Great. I go from one empty room to another one.

One of the soldiers tightens Lance's cuffs, which were killing his wrists and shoved Lance into the room. Lance stumbled and collapsed onto the floor. The door hissed shut behind him.

I. Hate. The. Galra.

Lance's face was still laying on the floor as he struggled to get up. He tried to get up a few times, only to fall straight on his face again. Groaning in frustration, Lance tried to roll over which he was successful at. Now the Blue Paladin laid on his back staring at the ceiling.

The door hissed opened.

Lance closes his eyes.

Great this is where the hurt comes in.

Footsteps echoed in the empty room, until they stopped. The door shut behind the new person and then nothing. Lance doesn't move and doesn't open his eyes. He just wanted to enjoy what precious moments of not being tortured.

"Where is Voltron? Where is the Castle?" A voice spoke.

Lance chuckles.

"I am not telling you that, Galra scum." Lance grins.

Then he felt it.

A quick and hard kick to the stomach, and Lance reacted. He opened his eyes and began to cough violently as he had the wind knocked out of him. Lance managed to roll over, now on his hands and knees, before he looked up at the man asking questions.

"Wait- You're human! What are you doing working for the Empire?" Lance shouts.

"I'm not human!" The black mullet teen spoke.

The person in front of him wore Galra armor, and yet he appeared to be human. He has a fair skin complexion to Lance. He looked a little shorter than Lance, but yet he still looked human.

"Yes, you are! You look just like me!" Lance yelled.

This person shakes his head.

"I am a soldier of the Galra Empire. I am nothing like you." He said sounding annoyed.

Lance furrows his brows.

"What?" The teen spoke.

"I- I just thought Matt and Shiro were the only humans the Galra got their hands on." Lance spoke out loud, "I guess we were wrong. Does that mean the Galra know where Earth is?"

Lance realized he said his thoughts out loud and quickly shook his head. Meanwhile, the "Galra" but not "Galra" looked rather annoyed at Lance and really thought about kicking him again.

"You mean the Champion and his little shadow. They survived, huh." He spoke sounding cold, "I'd expect much of the Champion but not so much of his shadow. He was the weaker one."

Lance managed to force himself off his knees and stand up, and yeah he was an inch or so taller than this soldier. Lance locked eyes with the teen. Sure he appeared human, but his eye color wasn't something he had ever seen before. 

Violet.

"Hey, those are my friends you're talking about." Lance said.

The teen crosses his arms on his chest.

"I don't care." He said.

Lance glares.

"Look I know you're probably some human under some weird magical mind control by the Galra but I'm a Paladin of Voltron-," Lance was cut off.

Lance was then punched in the stomach, causing Lance to fall forward and then the teen grabbed a hold of Lance's shoulders and flipped him over, laying hard on Lance's back.

"I know exactly who you are, Paladin." He said, "And there is no magical mind control infecting my judgement. I serve the Empire. I serve my grandfather."

Lance winces in pain.

Lance then opens his eyes once he processes what the teen had said. Lance sat up nearly headbutting with his attacker, who had to jump back. Lance looked so shocked, that even his current company looked confused.

"Wait- Wait- Wait! Grandfather? Are you saying that you- and uh-?" Lance couldn't finish it.

The teen looked extra annoyed at Lance, and Lance wasn't even sure why now but maybe it was because Lance wasn't exactly the kind of prisoner that this person had hoped for.

The teen crosses his arms on his chest yet again.

"Yes." He said quickly, "Emperor Zarkon is my grandfather."

Lance furrowed his brows again.

"But you look- and he looks-," Lance goes to say more but is cut off.

Lance is then grabbed by his shoulders and yanked up against the wall. The teen wearing the Galra armor looks at Lance with such hate and irritation. Lance winced at the pain of being thrown against the wall.

"Okay, done with the small talk. You tell me what I want to know." He said, "Where is Voltron and where is the Castle?"

Lance chuckles.

"I am not telling you anything." Lance grins.

Lance didn't like it when the mullet teen grins back.

"I respect the loyalty, Paladin. Having loyalty for a cause is rare." He said, "Either you tell me what I need to know or we wait until Voltron shows up to save you and we take it by force."

Lance flinched at that thought.

"We know that Voltron cannot form without all Paladins, so it's a matter of time before they come looking for you and when they do," He smirks, "You get to watch as the Empire claims what was truly ours."

Lance goes to charge forward despite being cuffed.

Lance is then punched in the face.

Lance is thrown back against the wall by the force of the hit and then slides down the wall.

The door opens.

Lance's eyes stay on his captor. This Earth teenager who is out here claims to be the grandson of the most evil dude in the galaxy. He might be a bit shorter and not nearly as scary as the Galra that Lance has seen, but somehow this guy intimidates Lance.

"Commander Khov?" The mullet asks.

"You are needed on the bridge, Prince Keith." The voice outside the room said.

This boy named Keith, because of course the guy refusing to be called human has an Earth name, nods at the commander speaking to him. Lance hears footsteps walk away and just left the two in there.

Lance watches as this Keith look down at him.

"I'll be back later to see if you'll be more cooperative." Keith said and stepped out.

Lance watches as the door shut and then he lowers his head into his chest.

-

Upon reaching the bridge, he is notified he has a call from his mother. He ordered his men out to speak to his mother in privacy. Within moments after the last solider left the bridge, an image of his mother appeared full on screen.

"Mother," Keith addressed standing stiff and with respect.

"Keith," She said with no real emotion behind her voice, "I understand you and your men have captured the Blue Paladin."

Keith nods.

"Yes, the Paladins were on X-95-Vox trying to stop us from mining it for QUintessence." Keith spoke, "The others managed to evade us but we were able to capture the Blue Paladin alive."

"And the Blue Lion?" Krolia asks.

Keith hesitates.

Krolia can see the hesitation on her son's face. A bit of disappointment is visible as day to her that it was just a body and not the lion in her son's custody.

"I see," Krolia says.

Keith clenches his hands into fists.

"We are expecting the Paladins to try and recuse him. We will be ready for any assault that they may try at us." Keith said.

Krolia doesn't seem too convinced.

"My son," Krolia said, "Meet up with General Branko's ship. They are close to you and will provide the necessary amount of support to deal with the pests."

Keith takes a step forward.

"Mother, I can-." He is cut off.

"No, you listen to me. You were unable to capture the Blue Lion their home world. You were unable to properly aid in your people to keep the Red Lion under our control and you expect me, and you expect the Emperor, to have faith that you alone can handle Voltron?" Krolia asks.

Keith frowns.

"That's what I thought." Krolia said.

And with that the communication ended there.

Keith stood there, stiff, staring at where his mother's face once was. He tightened his jaw and squeezed his fists tighter. He pressed a button on the bridge to notify the crew members to return to the bridge.

One by one, Galra soldiers arrived and looked upon their leader on what the next move was. As quick as his anger had appeared after his talk with his mother, it vanished into a calm composure.

"Set our course with General Branko's fleet." Keith orders, "Commander Valu, contact General Branko of our arrival. We will be wanting his fleet when Voltron decides to come for their own."

The men do no question his orders.

Keith doesn't add more.

He just marches out of the bridge.

Clenching his fists, tightening his jaw. Keith stomped his feet down the corridors, echoing in the distance. Keith halts upon reaching a far enough distance from the bridge.

I am going to prove to her. I am going to prove to them that I am worthy of the Empire.

Chapter Text

"My dear sister has been troubling you,"

Keith sat in his quarters.

His ship was on course to General Branko's fleet. 

Keith glanced at the screen in front of him. On the small communication screen was his uncle, Lotor. Despite the fact that Lotor is much older than Keith, the Galra appears to look no older than a few years than Keith, but Keith knew that not to be true.

"She doesn't think I am capable of getting the Lions." Keith said gritting his teeth.

Lotor just nods.

Lotor always had a softer spot for his nephew, unlike his sister towards her own blood. Lotor and his Krolia faced discrimination for being half Galra, but that didn't stop Krolia from becoming one of the most feared Generals in the Empire. Lotor had a difficult time growing up in the shadows of his father and his sister, he knew that Keith struggled with the same maybe even having a harder time. 

Lotor trained Keith. He bonded with Keith. The pair may be nephew and uncle, but they behaved more like brothers. To Lotor he wished he had someone in his corner the way he is for Keith, and he knew that Keith really appreciated having the relationship that they have together. Having someone who believes in him. Having someone who sees what he can do.

"She might worry you could waver your loyalty due to having a human on board." Lotor said.

"Paladin of Voltron," Keith corrects, "And why would I waver?"

Lotor tilts his head as he looks into the camera.

"Because despite the fact you refuse to acknowledge your full lineage, you are part human just as you are part Galra." Lotor said, "Krolia could worry that you may seek out this Paladin and try to connect with a part of you that you've denied." 

Keith sighs and looks away.

"And what do you think?" Keith asks.

Lotor had a sad smile.

"You just want to be accepted." Lotor said, "You don't have to prove anything to them. You have proven enough to me, and that should be more than enough for you, Keith."

Keith let his shoulders slump a bit.

"I just," Keith tries to find the words.

A clap gets Keith's attention back to the communication.

"Look, after you meet up with General Branko, I want you to leave." Lotor said, "I'll send word that I am taking you for special assignment."

Keith furrows his brows.

"Mother will be angry. Zarkon would be-," Keith didn't dare finished the sentence.

Lotor merely nods.

"Dear old Father cannot get to me nor you in his current state. Plus, if you leave and plans go bad, Krolia cannot blame the failure on you." Lotor said.

Keith scoffs.

"Oh, she'll find a way to blame me." Keith said.

Lotor sighs at his nephew.

"Keith, I've gathered others like me- like us. Those who are not full Galra. They trust me. They fight side by side with me. We are- We are a family and I wish for you to be a part of it." Lotor said.

Keith doesn't answer.

Lotor sighs again.

"When you reach General Branko, contact me and let me know if you wish to join me or not." Lotor said.

Keith looks at Lotor.

"You wish to take the throne from her while Zarkon is-," Keith halts.

Lotor just merely nods.

Keith looks away and nods.

"I'm in," Keith said.

-

How long have I been here? A varga? Quintant? Honestly don't know.

Lance rested his head against the wall and winced a little. That Keith guy had man handled him roughly.

Keith, huh. That's his name.

Lance was still questioning how Emperor Zarkon has a grandson who looked so human. Does that mean Galra has been to Earth? Well, how else would that explain the existence of this Keith person.

Lance hears the door open and then footsteps enter.

"I'm not telling you anything about the Castle or Voltron," Lance spoke out.

"Kinda figured."

Lance turns.

Standing in the room with the door shut behind him was the Keith person. Keith held a tray with some food, alien Galra food, on it. Keith knelt down and placed the tray in front of Lance.

Lance watched as Keith stood back up and crossed his arms on his chest.

"Okay, what's the catch?" Lance asks.

Keith furrows his brows.

"What?" Keith asks.

"What do I have to give to eat this uh- what is it?" Lance asks.

Keith looks frustrated.

"It's food, Paladin." Keith said.

Lance shrugs, "I don't know. It looks like something moldy." He said.

Keith rolls his eyes.

"If you don't want it then don't eat it." Keith said and moves to leave the room.

Lance then moves a bit.

"Wait-!" Lance called out.

Keith halted.

Keith wasn't sure why, but he stopped.

"Why did you bring me food?" Lance asks, "Most Galra don't feed prisoners."

Keith turns.

"Can't have the Paladin of Voltron dying on my watch." Keith said.

Lance chuckles.

"Oh, so you are concerned about me." Lance said.

Keith scoffs.

"You wish, Paladin." Keith said crossing his arms tighter against his chest.

A quiet pause filled the room.

"Lance," Lance found himself saying.

Keith blinked in confusion and then stared directly at the tanned human prisoner.

"Wh- What?" Keith asks.

Lance had a grin on his face, "My name. You don't have to call me Paladin. My name is Lance." Lance said.

Keith still looked confused.

"Uh- um," Lance stammered, "Well earlier when what's his face came for you, he said your name."

Keith blinks.

"I figured since I'm stuck with you until my friends bust me out, I might as well be called by my name and not by Paladin." Lance grins.

Keith glares.

"First of all, Paladin, your friends are not going to save you. We are heading to a large Galra fleet that is going to stop your precious friends from even getting through to you." Keith said, "And secondly, we are not friends so I do not need to know your name."

Lance chuckles.

"You're funny, Prince Keith." Lance officially says his captors name out loud, "My friends are coming to get me whether you like it or not and I can't wait to see the look on your face when they destroy your ships."

Keith holds his glare.

"I'd like to see you pathetic humans try." Keith said.

Lance narrows his eyes.

"Says the alien part human." Lance said.

Keith clenched his jaw tight for a moment.

Struck a nerve, huh.

Keith goes to leave yet again, but Lance decided to push his luck.

"So how did a human looking Galra end up here?" Lance asks.

Keith finds himself stopping again.

Lance grins.

"I mean I ended up in space by finding the Blue Lion which opened a wormhole sending my friends and I to space." Lance said, "I've never heard of a part human part Galra before. You're a first."

Keith slowly turns his head to look at Lance.

"I've never been to Earth. I- My mom had a moment of weakness and that's where I came in-," Keith then shakes his head, "Why am I even telling you this?"

Lance finds himself grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh so mommy hooked up with one of us," Lance said, "Cool."

Keith's motions were quick and smooth. Keith unsheathed his knife and swiftly tackled Lance down, pinning his knife to Lance's throat. Lance winced by the pain hitting the floor, but also swallowing back as he felt the tip of the cool blade on his throat.

"Enough, Paladin." Keith said, "Or today will be your last."

Lance finds that he cannot stop grinning.

"I doubt it. You need me. At least for now." Lance said, "So you can't kill me."

Keith tightened his hold on his knife in his right hand and his left hand gripped onto Lance's shoulder. Lance tried his best to compose himself from the pain of his captor, but he wasn't one to handle pain well.

Keith's face was inches from Lance's.

The mullet Galra human teen was basically sitting on top of Lance.

Keith stares into Lance's blue eyes.

Keith then shakes his head.

Keith pulls his knife away from Lance's throat and aggressively releases his hold on Lance, who hits his head off the floor. Keith stands and places his knife in his sheath.

Keith marches to the door.

The door opens.

Lance watches as Keith walked out and the door shuts behind him.

He wasn't entirely sure what just happened right there. Lance finds himself laying fully on the floor and staring at the ceiling. He just pictures the image of Keith mere moments ago. How close his face was from Lance's. How vibrant Keith's violet eyes were. 

And his lips.

Oh man, do I have the hots for the enemy? Not cool.

-

Keith walks down the corridor and then halts. Keith rests his hand on the wall and places another hand on his face. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but things felt weird.

After talking to this Lance person, Keith just felt overwhelmed by feelings he's never felt before or if Keith had even felt them he pushed them down to his core.

He thought of Earth.

He thought of his mother.

He thought of his father.

"Your father was nothing but a traitor to the Empire. He tried to manipulate your mother from the cause. He had to be eliminated."

Keith closes his eyes.

He has no memory of his father so the idea of missing someone he never knew felt stupid. He was told by his grandfather when he was only five that his father was killed because he was an enemy to the Empire. Keith's father tried to kidnap him, he tried to convince his mother to turn against her people.

Keith opens his eyes.

"You may share his looks, but you do not have his heart. You will serve the Empire. You will serve me. You will be a great warrior."

Keith pushes his hand off the wall and then continues walking down alone.

Footsteps echoing.

Zarkon took away his father, and Keith never got the chance to ever know him. Zarkon banished his uncle when Keith needed him the most. Zarkon made his mother into the cold and still woman she is.

The only person in Keith's corner he could ever count on is Lotor. Keith would do anything for his uncle, for his love and respect. Keith knew that once he joins up with Lotor, he wouldn't be welcomed back by Krolia, but at this point he didn't care of it.

Krolia stopped being a mother when Keith was two and he was passed off to the plenty of sitters, tutors, mentors that Keith was stuck with in his youth. Now he didn't care what happened, as long as he had his uncle he had a purpose.

Keith stopped walking for a moment.

And yet, the thought of going to Earth. Seeing the planet. Searching if he still had family sounded so tempting.

But Keith burned that dream down years ago.

He was never going to see Earth. He was never going to explore that side of him. 

Keith continued walking until he reached a window, he could see General Branko's fleet in the distance. He had to make contact and then take a smaller vessel off to meet up with Lotor, and then he can begin a new chapter in his life.

Chapter Text

Footsteps echoed down a corridor, but these footsteps were going at a face speed. Sounds of blasters firing off behind these people. They were charging towards a location.

"Take the next left!" Ordered Pidge.

"On it, Pidge!" Shiro said.

It was Shiro and Pidge paired together while the Red and Yellow Paladins were handling the fleet in their lions. Shiro and Pidge were dealing with the rescue, saving Lance.

They rounded a corner and then down another corridor, until Pidge shouted.

"Here-!"

Shiro and Pidge halted by a door. Shiro held his bayard tight ready to attack while Pidge knelt down by the controls. Pidge used her highly smart skills in hacking to override the systems, thus opening the door.

The door opened revealing a slightly bruised and hurt Lance, who was still cuffed.

"Finally, it took you long enough." Lance said.

Shiro smiles, "Lance."

Pidge stands up and runs over.

Pidge pulled out her universal key, that she made herself. The cuffs quickly fell off the Paladin's wrist. Lance rubbed his wrist a bit, they were hurting but he could handle it.

"Where are Hunk and Matt?" Lance asks.

"Distracting the fleet while we came for you." Shiro said, "We better hurry before they realize we're here."

Lance nods.

The three began running down the hall.

"Yeah, but I'd love to see the look on Prince Keith's face when he realized I've been rescued." Lance grins.

Pidge looks at Lance with a confused look.

"Prince who now?" Pidge asks.

They rounded a corner but continued running.

"Oh yeah, I met Zarkon's grandson." Lance said.

Shiro's eyes widen.

"Zarkon's grandson?" Shiro yells.

Lance nods.

"Apparently he's part human part Galra, but man does he have an attitude." Lance said.

They were then ambushed by soldiers, which left Pidge and Shiro to attack with their bayards while Lance took cover. He didn't have the means to defend himself at that moment.

Lance saw through the window in the corridor that one of the Galra fleets exploded. A little part of him was happy but another part was sad, he wondered if Keith is still here or will he go down with the ship.

"Lance-!" Shiro yelled.

"Come on!" Pidge yells.

Lance turns over and noticed the soldiers down, and Lance follows after his teammates. 

He isn't important. He's the enemy and we cannot trust the grandson of Zarkon.

-

Upon getting out of the pod, the princess and Coran wanted to have a debriefing over everything. Over what went wrong that led Lance to getting captured and if any information got into the hands of the Galra while Lance was a prisoner.

"Lance wouldn't betray us." Shiro said.

Allura looks at her Paladins.

"I'm not saying he did. I'm just- I- He mentioned Zarkon's grandson," Allura's voice trailed off.

Matt scratches his head.

"And he's part human. Does that mean the Galra have been to Earth, Coran?" Matt asks.

Coran strokes his mustache, "It's possible. Although, if they had, why they haven't tried to conquer your planet is very unlike them." He said.

Pidge frowns.

Hunk looks sad.

"I- I don't like the idea of the Galra knowing about Earth." Hunk said.

Lance looks away.

"He said he's never been to Earth. Could it be- Could it be that maybe, whoever this guy's father is- maybe he was captured like Shiro and Matt?" Lance spoke.

Shiro shakes his head.

"The Kerberos Mission was the first time humans traveled so distantly through our solar system. No one had ever green lit another project before that." Shiro said.

Matt looks at Shiro.

"Not entirely true." Matt said.

All eyes on Matt.

"Matt-?" Pidge spoke.

Matt looks from his sister to the others.

"I remember dad being offered a trip to Charon." Matt said.

Allura furrows her brows.

"What is Charon?" She asks.

Shiro looks to the princess, "A moon for a planet called Pluto in our solar system." He said and turns to Matt, "Who approached your father?"

Matt shakes his head.

"I don't really know. He was some weird guy who lived out in the middle of the desert. He kept saying he was hearing voices or something. At the time, he sounded crazy but- but I can't be certain but I think he lived around where we found Blue." Matt said.

Lance looked shocked.

"Wait- Really?" Lance asks.

"When did this happen?" Shiro asks.

Matt frowns.

"About seventeen years ago. I only found out cause I hacked into dad's stuff while prepping for Kerberos." Matt said.

Shiro looked stunned.

"All this time," Pidge said, "And you never told me?"

Matt looks at his sister.

"I genuinely thought it was the words of a mad man, but now- now I think he knew of the Blue Lion and wanted to find out where it came from. Why Charon, I can't tell you but- um sorry." Matt said.

Shiro placed a hand on Matt's shoulder.

"It's okay. It's not your fault." Shiro said.

Hunk turns to the princess.

"Do you know anything about this grandson?" Hunk asks.

Allura shakes her head.

"I don't know a whole lot. He wasn't around when my father and Zarkon were friends, and he wasn't around before the fall of Altea. He- He had to have been created afterwards." Allura said.

Coran then moved to a screen. He typed in something and then two images popped up for the Paladins to see, one of them was Prince Lotor and the other was Princess Krolia.

"It is likely that whoever this mystery man from your home world might be the father of this kid," Coran said.

Lance crosses his arms on his chest.

"He may be shorter than me but he is no kid." Lance said, "He had to be the same age as me."

"Either way, that would mean his mother is Princess Krolia." Coran said.

"Wait- The same Princess Krolia taking the reign of the Empire?" Hunk asks.

Coran nods.

Allura frowns.

"I remember Krolia from our childhood." Allura said, "She was a little bit older than me but-,"

Coran watched the expression harden on the princess.

"But she is nothing more than a killer, as is her entire family." Allura said.

Eyes look to the princess.

"Our mission is to stop the Galra and that includes anyone related to Zarkon." Allura said.

-

"You made the right choice."

Keith found himself staring out the window, just staring at the never ending void of space. He was leaning his head against the cool glass, but could see the reflection of his uncle behind him.

"I hear that the Paladins rescued the Blue Paladin," Keith said.

Keith turns around and faces Lotor.

Lotor nods.

"The failure is not on your shoulders." Lotor said, "And it doesn't matter anymore. Now, now you and I will work together with my generals to take what is rightfully mine."

Keith crosses his arms on his chest.

"How though?" Keith asks, "My mother is the eldest and the current heir to the throne."

Lotor tilts his head.

"You can challenge it, sure, but she is technically next in line." Keith said.

"Unless," Lotor starts.

Keith stares at his uncle with a bewildered expression.

"You want to kill her?" Keith asks.

Lotor walks over to his nephew. Keith feels the hands of the man who was there for him, the only member of his messed up family to care about him. Lotor looks at Keith with a sympathetic look.

"Krolia only cares about two things," Lotor said, "Power and pleasing our ungrateful father. She doesn't care for you. She never will."

Keith frowns and looks away.

Keith hears Lotor sigh.

"But if you wish for it, I won't kill her." Lotor said, "Instead we can send her to an Outpost so far off in the universe that no one can ever find her."

Keith looks back at Lotor.

"Why?" Keith asks, "Why would you do that for me even when her existing threatens your chance at the throne?"

Lotor has a small smile on his face.

"Because, my dear nephew, as much as I hate my sister, she is family. You might still care for her somewhere in that heart of yours, so I have to respect that." Lotor said.

Keith nods quietly.

Lotor nods to himself.

"We don't have to answer any of that now. How about you get introduced to the others." Lotor said.

Keith raises his eyebrows.

"They are dying to meet you." Lotor said.

Lotor gestures to Keith to follow his lead and the younger teen follows with ease. Keith follows besides Lotor as they walked down a corridor in the direction of what felt like a training deck on the ship they were on.

The doors hissed opened revealing four individuals and a cat like alien creature.

"Everyone," Lotor commands with ease, "I'd like you to meet my nephew, Keith."

The tallest female turns to them.

"He's your nephew?" She spoke, "I don't see the resemblance."

Lotor chuckles, "Come now, Zethrid. The family resemblance is obvious once you see it. After all, we have the same eyes and jawline, wouldn't you say?"

Keith looks from this Zethrid and then to his uncle.

"Keith these are my generals; Zethrid, Ezor, Acxa, and Narti." Lotor introduces.

Keith stood awkwardly.

"Uh, hi." Keith said.

Ezor jumps in front with a big grin.

"Oh, now that I get closer I can totally see it! He could pass for your brother, well if you two shared the same skin color and maybe hair color and maybe a little taller and-." Ezor was cut off.

Axca elbowed Ezor to shut her up.

"Enough, Ezor." Axca said.

Axca turns from Ezor to Keith.

"So you prefer swords or guns?" She asks.

Keith pulls out a knife from his sheath.

"Knife, but I can handle anything." Keith said with a small smirk.

Axca scoffs.

"Cocky, huh? Yeah, he's Lotor's nephew." Axca said.

Axca then motions for Keith to follow her.

"Come on, prince, let's train." Axca said.

Keith glanced back at Lotor for a moment, he saw his uncle nod at him. Keith then goes and follows Axca. Zethrid and Ezor follow to witness the training.

Lotor meanwhile, excuses himself. He walks out of the training deck, pleased that the introductions went well for Keith. He needed his nephew to be on board with his generals. He needs Keith's support.

Once he was outside of the training deck, he was met with a soldier who was loyal to him and his cause.

"Prince Lotor," The Galra said.

Lotor looks at the man.

"I want you to go find someone who is willing to assassinate the heir to the Galra throne." Lotor said.

The soldier seemed baffled by this request.

"Wh- What?" He spoke.

Lotor's eyes narrowed.

"Did I stutter?" Lotor asks, "Krolia is in my way in creating a better universe."

 The soldier only nods.

"Oh- Oh, okay. Where- Where should I go?" He asks the prince.

Lotor scoffs.

"I don't know. Find some mercenaries for hire. Pay them off. I don't care. I need her gone." Lotor said.

Lotor begins to walk away leaving the soldier but stops.

"Oh, and this stays between us. If word gets out on this ship of this request, I will label you a traitor and have you killed." Lotor said.

The soldier nods.

"Of- Of course, Prince Lotor." He said.

Lotor grins.

"That's what I like to hear." Lotor said.

Chapter Text

"Hey, are you okay?"

Matt grunted.

He was hurt. He did in fact hurt a lot.

He rubs his head and then looks to the person talking to him. It was a prisoner of the Empire that he and his friends were helping rescue, well not just this one person but a whole camp of prisoners. 

Matt takes in the prisoner's appearance. He appeared to be a few years or so older that Katie, so there was this sort of urge to protect this kid, even if he looks like he's seen some things. They've all seen some things in war. Although, the more Matt looked at the younger teen, is the moment he released he was sitting in front of a fellow human.

"Wa- Wait?" Matt shakes his head, "You're human?"

The teen furrows his brows.

"Uh- yeah," He says casually, "And so are you."

Matt frowns.

"How are you here?" Matt asks.

The teen looks annoyed.

"Kidnapped by aliens," He answered, "What did you think I'd actually want to be a prisoner?"

Matt shakes his head.

"No- No, it's just-." Matt was confused.

He knew of only himself, Shiro, and his dad being the only humans into space. That would mean that this kid had to be Zarkon's grandson.

"Are- Are you?" Matt didn't finish his thought.

Matt stood up and pointed his bayard at the "prisoner" in front of him. The "prisoner" raised his eyebrows, but not in shock instead looking annoyed.

"Who are you?" Matt asks.

"Wow," He rolls his eyes, "Paranoid much?"

Matt shakes his head.

"Answer the question," Matt said.

The "prisoner" raised his hands up to show Matt he was no threat, but still looked more annoyed than anything during this whole ordeal. The teen stands up and keeps his eyes directed on Matt.

"My name is Fin," He said.

Matt doesn't seem satified.

This "Fin" sighs.

"My name is Fin Kogane." He said, "I was born in Austin, Texas but has been in space ever since I was a baby. My uncle had a crazy idea about some weird space ship, and somehow got his hands on a craft to explore some planet to find some Blue Lion's origin."

Matt looks at this "Fin" with interest.

"Kogane?" Matt asks, "Where is your family then?"

"Fin" lowers his hands and looks off to the side.

"My dad is dead. I- I don't know exactly what happened to him, and I haven't seen my mom in a very long time." He said, "I- Our craft was detected by the Galra and- and well I've been bouncing around whatever prison camps they wanna toss me at."

Matt lowered his bayard until it vanished from his hands. Matt looks at the teen with awe, but also with guilt and worry. He understood this "Fin" person. He knew what it was like to have his family pulled apart by the Galra. He knew exactly what this teen must be feeling.

"And your uncle?" Matt asks.

"Fin" looks at Matt.

"I reunited him briefly, before I ended up here." He said.

Matt frowns briefly before he then smiles softly.

"Well, you are lucky. You're with a Paladin of Voltron and I'm certain you'll find your uncle." Matt said.

"Fin" had a small smile.

"I know I will," He said.

-

"Undercover?" Axca asks.

Lotor stood before his generals and Keith in the bridge. He had went over into every detail about setting Keith to the camp as Voltron went to rescue the prisoners to get some intel. Lotor had given Keith information for his cover, a cover he was unaware had some truth to his own existence.

"Yes," Lotor said, "Why? Do you have a better idea?"

Axca frowns.

"Think he can handle it?" Zethrid asks.

Keith, arms crossed, eyes Zethrid.

"I mean sure he is a great fighter, but can he even act?" Zethrid asks, "How do we know he won't blow it?"

Lotor looks from his generals then to Keith.

"One thing you learn at an early age is to say whatever you need to survive in our family," Lotor said, "Am I right, Keith?"

Keith feels the eyes of his new allies on him.

"Yes," Keith said.

Ezor looks from Keith then to Lotor.

"Okay, but wouldn't we have to worry about that Blue Paladin-?" Ezor asks.

"Lance," Keith says.

Eyes back on Keith before turning to Lotor.

"Yes, yes. The fact one Paladin knows what Keith looks like is troubling, but Keith will just have to make sure he picks the right Paladin to end up with." Lotor said, "When they attack, we'll also attack them causing chaos and the Paladins to be separate. This will give Keith a chance to try and gather as much information we may need."

Heads nod.

Lotor turns back to Keith, "You ready?"

Keith nods, "Yes."

-

Keith, pretending to be called Fin, was sitting down on a rock. He was listening to Matt try and reach his comrades through a com link that is either out of frequency or busted. Either way, Keith was just bored sitting there as Matt paced back and forth. 

"Shouldn't we go?" Keith asks.

Matt stops.

"I need to find my team." Matt said, "I- I haven't heard from them since the attack."

Keith rolls his eyes but Matt didn't see.

"Wouldn't it be smart to find your ship and then try and find them in it?" Keith asks, "It beats sitting around in case more Galra come looking for us."

Matt turns and looks at Keith.

"We left our Lions near the camp." Matt said, "The Galra might be trying to steal them."

Keith kept his face away from Matt, but looked just as annoyed as before.

"Who's bright idea was it to land in front of the enemy?" Keith asks.

"Our leader," Matt said, "Shiro the Paladin of the Black Lion."

Keith turns his head and looks at Matt.

"Black Lion, hm." Keith said.

Matt looks at Keith with confusion.

"What?" Matt asks.

Keith shrugs.

"I recall hearing some of the guards talking about taking the Black Lion to the Empress." Keith said, "She wants to use it, but for what not sure. The guards don't talk much about their plans, but we pick up on some things."

Matt looks worried and then went back to trying to contact his team. Matt paced back and forth trying to contact them, but still got nothing.

Finally Keith stood up.

"Look, if you want to help your friends you need to get to your lion." Keith said, "We need to go back to the camp."

"We?" Matt asks, "It's too dangerous."

Keith crosses his arms on his chest, "I know these parts better than you," He said, "I'm your best shot at getting there without being noticed."

Matt was hesitate about this but then looks back at Keith.

Matt nods, "Alright, lead the way."

-

"When this is all over, you can stay with us in the Castle as we try and find your uncle-," Matt goes on.

Keith looked annoyed and thankfully since he was leading Matt as they walked, didn't have to hide his expression from the Paladin.

Somehow, the intel Keith was getting was the type of people the Paladins were. Apparently all of them minus Shiro and Matt were teenagers, were a little younger or in this "Pidge's" case even younger than Keith. The princess was still around as was her help. Matt was talking about Hunk cooking alien food and it being great despite it looking gross. He'd talk about the tech and how his sister was somehow smart enough to pick up hacking even into the Galra servers. Matt would talk about training with Shiro. Matt would talk about laughing and joking with Lance.

Lance.

Keith's ear listened a little bit more to Lance.

"- Boy, I am glad I found you and not Lance." Matt chats on.

Keith looks at Matt.

"Why?" Keith asks.

Matt looks at Matt.

"Well, Lance was captured recently and ran into an enemy who looked human but worked with the Galra," Matt then stopped, "Wait, I have a question about you, Fin?"

Keith stopped walking and kept his eyes on Matt.

"You said you came to space with your uncle and parents, right?" Matt asks.

Keith nods.

"I mean sure, I don't entirely remember much since I was a baby but yeah. Why?" Keith asks.

Matt rubs his hand through his hair.

"Well, we were trying to figure out more about this Prince Keith. He is the person Lance ran into." Matt said, "Anyways, we figured out his mother is the Empress and his uncle is Prince Lotor."

Keith does well to not give anything away to Matt.

Keith just nods.

"Anyways, you said your uncle and you were separated? Is it possible that maybe your uncle and Empress Krolia- well you know?" Matt asks.

Keith's expression was more shocked than he wanted it to be. His eyes widened and then looked away.

"He gave me-," Keith mutters before shaking his head, "I-,"

Matt noticed the inner turmoil going on with "Fin". Matt takes this as probably overstepping and walks over to place a hand on his shoulder, only to pause remembering how jumpy Shiro was after they saved him from Haggar's hold before. But that didn't stop Keith from noticing Matt attempting to comfort.

Keith looks at Matt.

"Sorry," Matt said, "It- It's probably hard to think about."

Keith looks away.

"Yeah," He said quietly.

Keith shakes his head angrily.

"Come on," Keith said.

Matt watched as Keith continued walking.

Matt follows after him. 

They continued walking, however, there was a sound from the brushes. Matt pulled out his bayard and readied for an attack. He had moved Keith behind him. Keith, usually used to being armed, wanted to reach for something but had nothing. In this moment, Keith had to play the part of a weak prisoner.

However, instead of an attacker popping out, it was this Black Paladin.

"Shiro-!" Matt exclaims.

Matt ran over and helped Shiro.

Keith noted that Shiro was limping and nearly close to falling over if it hadn't been for Matt. 

Keith takes in the injures. 

Shiro had a hand holding his ribs and he seemed to be favoring his right leg.

"Are you okay?" Matt asks, "What happened?"

Shiro winced.

Matt tries to lower him down to help Shiro rest. Keith stayed back, in order not to draw enough attention to himself.

"After- After the first blasts, I- I got Pidge out. She took off with some prisoners in Green." Shiro said, "I- I'm not sure where Hunk and Lance are. I am hopeful that they are together."

Matt exhales in relief.

Keith eyes Matt during that.

Shiro looks from Matt and then to Keith.

"And you found a friend?" Shiro asks.

Matt nods.

"This is Fin," Matt said, "Fin Kogane. His parents and uncle were captured by the Galra after trying to find the origin of Blue." 

Keith watched as Matt whispers something to Shiro, and he tries not to look annoyed in not hearing this. However, whatever it is said, Shiro doesn't look at Keith like he's the enemy. Shiro looks at Keith like Matt had when Keith told his "backstory".

"Fin," Shiro said, "It seems you managed to haul my friend out of the blasts. Thank you for saving him."

Keith looks at Shiro with furrow brows.

"Huh?" Keith spoke.

Shiro had a smile on his face.

"Thank you." He says again.

-

Matt left to scout ahead, leaving Keith with Shiro. Keith didn't like the idea but also knew he needed to take advantage of this. He knew that he couldn't expect Shiro to be easier to fool like Matt was. That being said, he probably wasn't going to hear about Hunk's cooking like Matt was willing to share.

"So, Fin." Shiro said.

Keith glanced at him.

The pair were both sitting down. Keith on a log and Shiro on the ground with his back against the log.

"How long were you in this camp?" Shiro asks.

Keith sees Shiro looking at him.

"After being shipped from one camp to another it's hard to keep track. I mean time feels like it works differently here than on Earth." Keith then shakes his head, "But Earth feels like a figment. Haven't been there in ages."

Shiro just nods.

Keith wasn't sure if he said too much or not enough, instead Keith looks away.

"Your parents?" Shiro asks.

"Dad is dead." Keith said.

Shiro frowns.

"I- I don't know when or how but- yeah." Keith said.

"And your mom?" Shiro asks.

Keith shrugs.

"Not sure really," Keith wasn't lying here, "I haven't seen her in years."

Shiro kept a frown on his face.

"Sorry," Shiro said, "I'm sorry you were brought into this."

Keith looks at him.

"A war is no place for children." Shiro said.

Keith scoffs.

"And yet your Paladins are my age or younger?" Keith spoke.

Shiro shakes his head.

"That's different." Shiro said.

Keith shakes his head.

"No. It's not." Keith said.

Shiro looks from Keith then to the sky.

"Maybe you're right." Shiro said.

Keith wasn't sure why, but he seemed to like this Shiro character. He didn't seem to talk down to him or belittle him like most adults he knows. There is only one ever person in Keith's corner to treat him like an equal and that was Lotor. If Shiro wasn't on the side of the enemy, maybe they could've been friends.

No, no. They are the enemy. 

Keith looks from Shiro then to his hands. 

He clenched them and then relaxes.

He can't get lost in these feelings about these people. They aren't important to him. They are just means to Lotor's goal. To his goal.

Chapter Text

Matt had been too long for Shiro's liking. Shiro started to stand, only to wince as his body gave out on him. Although, he was caught by Keith. Keith wasn't entirely sure why his body reacted to help, maybe not to blow his cover or maybe because he seemingly didn't dislike this person.

"Thanks, Fin." Shiro said.

Keith just nods.

"Matt isn't back yet." Shiro said, "I don't like this."

Keith looks from Shiro and then towards the forest.

"He might be on his way back." Keith answers.

Shiro frowns.

"We need to move," Shiro said.

Keith looks back at Shiro.

"Please," Shiro said, "I can't let anything happen to my team. My family."

Keith looks away from Shiro.

He was playing the long game. Trying to get some sort of information that was remotely useful for his uncle. Something that he can use to either take Voltron or take the throne for his uncle. 

Keith hauls one of Shiro's arm over his shoulder and helped adjust the older man to stand. 

Shiro grunts a little due to the pain, but didn't complain.

Keith begins walking with Shiro, but says nothing.

And that's how they walked through the forest for a while. Keith would notice Shiro glancing from in front of them then to him.

Keith didn't like that. 

It felt like Shiro was studying him, and Keith doesn't like to be inspected.

"It's just crazy to think there might be more humans here," Shiro said, "In space."

Keith doesn't say anything.

"I always thought it was just myself, Matt, and Dr. Holt." Shiro said.

Keith frowns.

"I know it might be scary. I can only imagine what you've endured, Fin, but you don't have to be alone anymore." Shiro said, "You can come with us. We can help you."

Keith looks at Shiro.

"You don't know what I've been through." Keith said.

Shiro nods sadly.

"True, but I've had it pretty hard with the Galra." Shiro said, "So whatever you've been dealt with- I- I can understand."

They continue walking through the forest. Keith using his free hand to move a branch from his face, while Shiro just ducked his head a bit.

"No, you don't." Keith said, "God, don't act like you actually get it."

Shiro furrows his brows.

"Then explain it to me," Shiro said.

Keith narrows his eyes.

"My earliest memory of my childhood was getting the crap kicked out of me," Keith said, "No one looked after me. I- I had to take care of myself."

Shiro frowns.

"Was this after you lost your parents?" Shiro asks.

Keith's mind stopped.

This is too dangerous! You are being too honest!

"Y- Yeah," Keith lies.

In all honestly, Keith's earliest memory was in fact that. He recalls being trained in combat as young as three years old. He remembers his instructor beating him down, with bruise and scratches. He remembers crying and then being yelled at by his instructor for showing weakness. He remembered looking to his mother, who was there, for help but she only looked disappointed.

Keith zoned out for a moment, and then shakes his head. He needs to focus. He needs to complete this mission and get something of value to Lotor.

Shiro, however, kept his eyes on this lad. Shiro saw a bit of himself in this teen. He seemed lost and hurt. Whatever it was this kid has been through, he really had internalized it to the point that he doesn't seem to recognize his own trauma. Shiro knows that in a matter of time, that bottled up feelings will surface someday and who knows what will happen to this poor soul.

Snap.

Keith's eyes short forward. 

Shiro activated his bayard.

Stepping out of the shadows was a Galra soldier.

"Well, well. It's my lucky day." He spoke.

Shiro winced as he tried to push himself off of Keith.

"Looks like I found the Black Paladin and the-," The soldier was cut off.

Keith had let go of Shiro quickly and ran forward. He grabbed the arm of the soldier, who was distracted with his discovery, snapped it causing the arm to break.

The soldier yelled.

Keith was quick though. 

He reached for the weapon on the soldier. A blaster.

Keith fired at the solider, hitting him in the stomach.

The soldier fell over.

Keith stepped above the solider, glaring, with the blaster pointed at his head.

"Stop!" Shiro yells.

Keith halts and then turns to Shiro.

Shiro saw the look in Keith's eyes.

A look of a killer. A look of someone who was trained to take down whatever threat was deemed a problem. 

'This kid has been trained since who knows how long to be a killer.' Shiro thought.

"Don't kill him," Shiro said.

Keith, still holding the blaster at the face of the soldier, didn't move.

"Why?" Keith asks, "Why? You hate the Galra. Why do you care if this one is alive or not?"

"Because it isn't right." Shiro said.

Keith scoffs.

"You Paladins blow up Galra fleets. You destroy their bases. You've murdered plenty of soldiers but never batted an eye." Keith said, "But I hold a blaster to one and suddenly you grow a conscious."

Shiro shakes his head.

"It's wrong." Shiro said.

Keith fires the blaster and kills the soldier.

"It's war," Keith said.

Shiro looks from the body and then to the teen.

"Fin-?" Shiro said.

Keith looks from the body and then turns to Shiro.

"No," Keith said.

Shiro furrows his brows.

"Plans are changing." Keith said, "You're taking me to the Black Lion and we're leaving."

Shiro winces as he struggles to stand.

"Wh- Why?" Shiro asks.

Keith points the blaster at Shiro.

"Because I'm bringing you into my uncle's custody." Keith then grins, "I mean I think it's about time you talk one on one with Prince Lotor."

Shiro's eyes widened.

"You're-?" Shiro exclaims.

Keith grabs Shiro roughly and hauls him up, with the blaster pushing against his hurt ribs.

"So, how is Lance doing?" Keith asks.

-

Shiro stumbled forward but still pushed himself forward. He didn't like this one bit. A blaster to his back and his hands cuffed, because Keith snagged the cuffs from the soldier.

Sweat rolled down his face.

"I- I need to take a break." Shiro said.

Keith pushes the blaster harder against his back.

"We aren't stopping." Keith said.

Shiro winces as he turns his head to look at Keith.

"I'm injured and cuffed. Do you think I can do anything?" Shiro asks.

Keith shakes his head.

"Not even going to risk it." Keith said and shoves Shiro forward.

Shiro stumbled a little bit, but caught himself upward.

Shiro groans, "You are exactly how Lance described you."

Keith found himself grinning a little.

"Ah, he spoke of me. How kind of him." Keith said.

Shiro looks at Keith for a moment before continuing onward.

"He told us you brought him food." Shiro said, "You never tortured him, sure you roughed him up a bit but not harmed him to the extreme most prisoners have been by the Galra."

Keith glares.

"I needed him alive." Keith said, "I was only doing what I needed to maintain my hostage."

Shiro shrugs.

"If he was your hostage, how come we never saw you when we came for Lance?" Shiro asks, "It was your fleet after all. Did you abandoned your own men?"

Keith grits his teeth.

"They weren't my men. They weren't loyal to me or Lotor." Keith said.

Shiro raises his eyebrows.

"Those pathetic lives only serve Krolia. They only serve Zarkon." Keith said.

Shiro found himself glancing at Keith with interest.

"You and Lotor aren't on the same sides as Krolia?" Shiro asks.

Keith shoves Shiro forward.

"Do not try and figure out my intentions." Keith said narrowing his eyes, "My choices are made for two reasons: loyalty and survival."

Shiro frowns.

Then the memory Keith mentioned came back to Shiro. The memory of being beaten up so sadly at a young age. 

Shiro knew of the Galra to have a cold demeanor, but would they do harm to their own? Would they cause harm to royalty? After all, Shiro was standing in the presence of the grandson of Zarkon, the son of the Empress of the Galra Empire.

"What did the Galra do to you, Keith?" Shiro asks, "What did they do to your father?"

Keith says nothing.

Shiro felt a hand on his back, gripping the spandex material underneath his armor. Keith picked up his pace, which Shiro dislikes.

-

"Your father was nothing but a traitor to the Empire. He tried to manipulate your mother from the cause. He had to be eliminated."

Keith shakes his head.

He remembers being summoned to his grandfather's chambers that day. He was no older than ten. He was sent to see Zarkon because of his curiosity of humans. He had little to no information of humans, where they came from and if they looked like him.

He remembered Zarkon telling him that his father was killed. Killed because he was a traitor to the Empire. He was killed because he tried to sway his mother away from her duty, away from her loyalty. Zarkon didn't say, but it was implied that if Keith swayed his loyalties at any point, he'd end up the same fate as his father.

A man Keith never knew, and deeply wished he could've met.

"You can't be so cold hearted like Zarkon," Shiro said.

Keith sees Shiro turn his head a bit to look at him.

"If you were so heartless, you would've let Matt die. You would've killed me when you had the chance." Shiro said, "You had plenty of chances to steal the Lions and yet here we are."

"I have a blaster to your back," Keith said.

Shiro shrugs.

"Sure, but you haven't fired it yet." Shiro said.

Keith held the blaster tighter.

"Look, we are both from Earth and-," Shiro was cut off.

"I've never set foot on your pathetic planet." Keith snarled.

Shiro sighs.

"We're both humans, even if you're part Galra. You aren't loyal to the Empire and seem to have a heart, a bit of a conscious even if it's misguided." Shiro said, "Why don't you put the blaster down and uncuff me? We can talk about all of this."

Keith scoffs.

"Like I'd trust you." Keith said, "There has only ever been one person in my life I could rely on and you're not him."

Shiro nods.

"I get it, you want to please your family, but have you considered that maybe- maybe you're on the wrong side?" Shiro asks.

Keith shakes his head.

"Have you considered that this isn't a human matter?" Keith asks.

Shiro chuckles, "I did but then I was captured by the Galra. I lost my arm and turned into their Champion."

Keith doesn't say anything.

"I escaped and ended up back here," Shiro said, "Fighting for the people the Galra enslave or try to destroy."

"I made you into the soldier you are today. You owe me for everything I've given you. You will serve the Empire, Keith. You will give yourself honor whereas your traitorous uncle will rot away from us and our goals of success."

Keith made a face.

"Zarkon wasn't a good man." Keith mutters.

Shiro's eyes widen.

"I hated him and I'm glad the Paladins took care of him." Keith said.

Shiro found himself glancing back at Keith.

For a split moment, Shiro saw a child. He saw a child who had endured years and years of neglect and abuse at the hands of people who were supposed to nurture him. The teen's eyes looked dull and lost in another world. He looked so hallow.

"Look, Keith, you seem like you've been through a lot of hardship." Shiro still tried to plead with, "But you don't have to continue to serve the Galra. You can join the Voltron Coalition. There are plenty of people who are wanting to end this reign of tyranny." 

Keith doesn't say anything.

"The Blade of Marmora is apart of the coalition. I'm certain they'd recognize you on your heritage as I know all of us Paladins would welcome you as well." Shiro said.

Keith raises an eyebrow.

"Coalition, huh?" Keith said.

Shiro nods.

Shiro hoped that maybe with the mere mention of other Galra that would get Keith to understand he isn't alone. That maybe, maybe this poor child can have a fresh start. Shiro can see some confliction but also it appears that this teen is only a product of his upbringing. He sees killing as justified, sure Shiro knows the Paladins have done the same, but not cold blooded like Keith.

Shiro senses that Keith feels like his is just a soldier, nothing else.

"What do you say?" Shiro asks.

Just then Shiro was hit hard behind his neck, and his body gave out and passed out.

-

"Shiro- Shiro!"

Shiro opens his eyes and finds Hunk, Lance, Pidge, and Matt knelt in front of him. He sees that they are all by their respected Lions. No threat nearby. No one else but them.

"You okay?" Hunk asks.

"Matt found you unconscious in the forest alone." Pidge said, "What happened?"

"What happened to Fin?" Matt asks.

Lance glanced from Shiro to Matt.

"Who's Fin?" Lance asks.

"He's-," Matt was cut off.

Shiro sits up and winces.

"Keith," Shiro said, "He was actually Prince Keith."

Matt's eyes widen.

"Wha-?" Matt asks.

Lance looked shocked.

Pidge looked worried.

Hunk looked around all scared.

"Are you okay, Shiro?" Lance asks, "Did he do anything to do?"

Shiro shrugs.

"These injures are from the attack. He never harmed me. The only thing he did was cuff me and hold a blaster to my back." Shiro said.

Matt looked shocked.

"Where did he get a weapon? He didn't carry anything when we were travelling!" Matt yells.

Pidge looks at her brother.

"What were you doing travelling with the enemy?" She asks.

"I- I didn't- He told me-." Matt was cut off.

Shiro grunts.

"He had a convincing story. The kid has been raised to lie, and-" Shiro pauses.

"And what?" Hunk asks.

Shiro looks at them.

"I don't exactly think he's bad." Shiro said.

Pidge shakes her head.

"No, no! Shiro, he had a blaster to your back! He had Lance captured!" She yells.

Shiro shakes his head, "Sure, but- but he seemed conflicted. I don't know, I just have this feeling he doesn't really want to do what he's doing." He said.

Pidge shakes her head.

Matt looks from Pidge to Shiro.

"Are you sure?" Matt asks.

Lance crosses his arms on his chest.

"I spent some time with Prince Mullet," Lance said, "He seemed a bit arrogant, sure but he didn't hurt me like the Galra did to Matt and Shiro. He actually fed me, even if it was weird possible moldy goo."

Pidge mutters something along the lines of not believing either Lance or Shiro.

Lance meets Shiro's eyes.

It seemed like both Shiro and Lance were at an understanding that there was more to this Keith than this. They weren't sure why they believed better for Keith, was it because he was part human or that he didn't try to kill them like most Galra they've come across. There was just a feeling.

-

"The Blade of Marmora, huh?" Lotor said.

Both Lotor and Keith stood in a private quarters back on their ship. The other generals were commanding the fleet to take off to their next location. Meanwhile, Keith gave a report to Lotor. Keith felt like a disappointment since he couldn't get much from the Paladins.

"I'm sorry it wasn't enough." Keith said.

Lotor shakes his head.

"Nonsense, it was enough." Lotor said.

Lotor noticed Keith didn't seemed convinced.

"Is there something else?" Lotor asks.

Keith frowns.

"Shiro, the leader, seemingly wanted me to join them. He was determined to get me to switch sides." Keith said.

Lotor's interest was peaked.

"Really?" Lotor asks.

Keith nods.

"Hmm, interesting." Lotor said.

Keith raises his eye brow.

"Interesting how?" Keith said.

Lotor shakes his head with a smile.

"Another time," Lotor placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, "You should wash up. We are dinning in 3 vargas."

Keith nods.

"You did well, Keith. I'm proud of you." Lotor said.

Keith's frown turns to a small smile.

"Yeah?" He asks.

Lotor nods.

"Yes." Lotor said.

Keith was ushered out of the room to bathe, and Keith did. Once the door shut behind Keith, Lotor marched over to a window to look out into the darkness of space.

"This can be useless, yes." Lotor said grinning.