A/N: Hey guys, I'm back with another story. This one is basically the end of season six, but with Shiro and Keith's roles reversed. Now, one thing I want to set straight is that I debated a lot whether or not to keep this as a sequel. That's because the only thing that is really gained by reading them in order is understanding of a few references here and there. With that said, I do recommend reading my story "The Price of Failure" first, however, the references aren't super neccessary to enjoy this story if you choose not to. That's all for now. Enjoy!

"Do you think Allura's gonna be okay?"

Lance had already asked that question about five times, but no one complained. It felt like the only action they could take to ease their restlessness.

Shiro turned toward Lance and stared out the window at the same point as Lance.

"I understand why you're worried, Lance, but we're just gonna have to trust Lotor. At the very least he hasn't given us any reason not to."

Lance was comforted by Shiro's support, but couldn't stop himself from muttering.

"Not yet."

Shiro put his hand on Lance's shoulder. He was going to say something, but was interrupted by the castle's alarm.

"It would appear that an aircraft entered the castle while we were preoccupied."

Shiro activated his Galra arm and everyone else followed suit with their weapons.

"They're coming toward the bridge, be ready to strike at the first sign of hostility."

The doors to the bridge slid open... and Lance fired, narrowly missing the intruder's head.

"What the literal quiznak, Lance!?"

The voice that rang out from the door was clearly annoyed, but it's owner still couldn't keep the smile out of it.

"I thought you were an intruder! Wait... Keith?"

All the paladins lowered their weapons at the sight of their former red paladin.

"What are you doing here? Not that's it's not good to see you, but... what are you doing here?!"

"No time to explain. Where's Lotor?"

Shiro took a step toward Keith.

"He left with Allura. Why?"

"Because Lotor has been lying to you all, and we need to stop him. Is there anyway to get that ship back?"

At this point everyone was pretty confused, so Pidge spoke up.

"That doesn't make any sense. Lotor's only goal is to help the Galra and restore the universe. Plus we've been watching him this whole time, he doesn't seem that bad."

"I'm telling you guys, he's up to no good. I'm talking off the charts bad. As in harboring colonies of Alteans, bad."

Shiro was a little thrown off by Keith's sudden appearance, so he approached the situation with caution and as much neutrality as he could muster.

"Keith, this is pretty sudden. Do you have any proof?"

"I came here with an Altean from one of the colonies. She's gathering some supplies from the ship I came in, along with someone else. If I go and get her would you believe me then?"

Keith was clearly speaking to Shiro, but, oddly enough, he hesitated, so Lance spoke up instead.

"We'd certainly keep a closer eye on his royal highness, prince Sleazebag, that's for sure."

Keith gave him and curt nod and his eyes showed a flash of appreciation that was so quick, Lance would have missed it if he had blinked.

"I'll be right back."

Keith ran back toward the place where his ship had entered.

"Does anyone else find this a bit weird, like- like really weird?"

No one had an answer or a chance to formulate one for Hunk's question. It seemed they would just have to wait. Wait... and pray that they hadn't made a massive mistake.

Only a few minutes later Keith reentered the room.

On Keith's left was a clearly Galra woman, sporting hair that was purple in the front and pink in the back. She was also wearing a Marmoran suit and looked an awful lot like Keith.

On his right was a girl that seemed to be much closer to his age. She had long blond hair and markings on her face that were reminiscent of Coran and Allura's markings. That told them that this must've been the Altean.

Shiro and the others moved forward to greet them.

"Guys, this is Krolia and Romelle. Romelle is one of the Alteans that lived in Lotor's colony. She definitely has a lot to say."

Everyone else was slightly confused by the appearance of Keith's group, but Shiro seemed unfazed.

"I don't know what this girl has been telling you, but how do you even know it's true?"

Keith seemed taken aback. Of all people he hadn't expected Shiro to be the one to almost shoot him down.

"Come on Shiro, just listen to what she has to say. Trust me when I say that this isn't the kind if thing you can make up."

"Fine, but don't expect us to be persuaded so easily. Lotor has been here helping us while you've been off on a fun little mommy and me adventure."

Keith's eyes went slightly wide and everyone could see the hurt dancing within them. Romelle used this as an opportunity to tell her story. By the time she finished the paladins, minus Shiro, looked sick. And Keith had finally realized something.

"I never said anything about my mother."

Shiro seemed to panic ever so slightly.

"She... just looks a lot like you."

"I never said anything about adventures either."

Shiro's eyes started darting around looking for any exit points. Before he could find anything Keith tackled him.

"Who are you and what have you done with Shiro?!"

The other paladins would've rushed to choose sides, but Lotor and Allura came in at that very moment.

"What is going on here?!"

Keith yelled at Allura while he wrestles with Shiro.

"Allura, get away from Lotor! Krolia!"

Krolia immediately jumped to action and kicked Lotor square in the chest. Afterward everyone took a few steps back and the room fell still. Even Shiro had suddenly passed out. Allura on the other hand was simply confused and slightly angry.

"What is going on?!"

"That sorry excuse for a man is deceiving you all!"

Lotor turned to Allura.

"Don't listen to her. She's simply trying to get in your head and throw dirt on my name."

Romelle scoffed.

"Are you kidding me? Your name would be better off if I put dirt on it! You know why? Because you're the quiznaking piece of trash that held a colony of Alteans against their will and mercilessly killed them off!"

"What? Is that... an Altean? Lotor is-is this true?"

Lotor grabbed Allura's hands and looked her in the eyes.

"Allura, please. You know how much I care about you. We could rule the universe if we wanted to."

"Rule... the universe?"

Allura pulled her hands away and Lotor's eyes went wide.

"No, that was an accident. I misspoke!"

"No. It wasn't any coincidence that you used those particular words, nor was it a coincidence that you turned out to be a lying scumbag!"

Allura grabbed Lotor and threw him onto his back.

Romelle stood at Allura's side.

"Good choice, princess."

"It's the first good one I've made all day."

Lotor wiped the corner of his mouth and slowly stood up. Anger and hurt flashed across his eyes.

"If that's how you want to be, then I suppose I'll just have to take you all on... not by myself of course."

The moment Lotor finished small canisters rolled in through the door behind them and went off, filling the room with smoke.

"I can't see anything!"

"Don't talk too much it could be toxic."

"If that's true then we're doomed already-"

Pidge's voice was cut off by the sound of someone getting hit.

"Pidge! Hunk! Allura!"

Lance called out to his teammates, but got no reply. The sound of bodies falling was, however, getting louder.

Lance turned around just in time to see the primary attacker.

"Shiro-"

The world faded to black and went silent.

Keith had suspected something was up from the moment he had seen Shiro, but he hadn't expected this.

Now he was stuck in a smoke filled room with the sound of imminent doom getting closer and closer. He felt like he was in one of those movies where someone is dead in the water with a giant shark slowly swimming toward them.

Person after person was getting hit, but Keith couldn't tell where. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing on edge, just like he was. He sensed something coming from behind him and struck. There was nothing there, but he felt more paranoid than ever.

Is this his plan? To make me so paranoid that I end up defeating myself somehow?

To Keith it sounded like a stupid plan, but everytime he struck the air it seemed to make more sense. He heard lighter fighting sounds, then one last powerful blow. The shark went silent.

Finally Keith could see that the smoke was starting to get thinner. He braced himself, but didn't expect what came next.

He swung his sword, but it was somehow intercepted by someone and when the smoke cleared completely he realized why he had heard noises from all over the place.

Shiro and Lotor hadn't been alone, Zethrid and Ezor were here too. And right now, Keith was surrounded by all of them. He decided that the best option was to try and buy some time.

"What do you want Lotor?"

"I'm here to make good on a promise I made quite some time ago."

He tried to fight and get away, but he didn't get very far before he felt himself getting hit from multiple sides. He took one particular blow that left him dazed and Lotor's generals didn't miss the opening. Before he know it Keith's arms were forcefully jerked behind his back by Zethrid. He choked back a cry of pain.

He managed to look around and noticed that everyone else was knocked out, but seemed relatively fine.

"You leave them alone. Don't even think about touching them."

"You're in no position to make demands. Even so, I wouldn't dream of hurting them. After all, I wouldn't want them to miss the main event. Now, good night, little paladin."

Lotor stepped aside allowing someone else access to Keith. The last thing he saw was a silver Galra arm, hurtling towards him. Then, there was nothing.

Lotor picked Keith up and gave him to Zethrid, who slung him over her shoulder. All the movement made Keith flop around like a rag-doll. Lotor sighed and walked over to where Allura was lying on the ground, unconscious like everyone else.

"I'm sorry it had to be this way, but I'll save the universe. You'll see. I'll bring everything we wanted to fruition, and though I can't do it with you... I know we'll be together again, someday."

He kissed two of his fingers and pressed them to Allura's cheek. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he stood and addressed his generals.

"Come on then. We've got things to do."

Ezor, Zethrid, and Shiro all followed Lotor out of the bridge. As they walked, Shiro suddenly dropped to his knees. He had his eyes squeezed shut and he looked like he was struggling not to scream.

"Uh... should we... help him?"

Lotor ignored Ezor's question and took a knee in order to look closely at Shiro's face.

"Don't bother we don't have the time. And besides, anything that harms the witches plans is fine by me. Especially since mine are already in motion."

Ezor shrugged her shoulders at Lotor's vague response and followed Zethrid and Lotor into a ship.

I can heal you paladin, but you must give something in return. Something neither of us truly wishes for.

"I'll give anything. I just don't want to hurt them anymore."

You are a true leader to your team. Because of this I will break the rule and allow you to fly with me once more. Use it wisely.

"Thank you. I couldn't have led this well without you by my side."

Shiro woke up shortly after everyone else had. His head was pounding right alongside his heart. He remembered they gotten attacked, but any detail about the recent event completely escaped him.

Wait... attacked? Attacked!

Shiro shot to his feet and rapidly looked around the room. He didn't find any sign of immediate danger, but he did regret the action as he fell sideways and the floor moved closer to his face.

Before he hit the ground Shiro felt someone, he imagined it was Keith, rush to his side to help him stay upright.

"You alright?"

Shiro was too busy trying not to throw up to look at the person next to him, but even in this state he knew that that voice wasn't Keith's. The only thing that confused him more than that, was how tense and stiff the person under him had become, almost as if they were afraid.

"What... happened?"

To one answered, leaving a tense silence to fall on the room. Shiro finally tore his gaze away from the wall he'd been staring at in order to look at his fellow paladins.

"Are you going to attack us again?"

Pidge spoke from behind Hunk. Only half of her body was visible as if she was hiding behind him, hiding from Shiro. Not only that, but he noticed that Allura wouldn't meet his gaze and there was a new person he didn't recognize.

"What are you talking about?"

Shiro figured that something, be it his tone or facial expression, must've been pretty convincing, (mostly because they were real) because his teammates faced softened and they finally approached him. Allura specifically came over to help Lance support Shiro's weight.

"Do you really not remember anything?"

Shiro could only shake his head as shame and guilt slowly settled on him. There were a lot of things that haunted him, but the way his team had looked at him, the way they were still looking at him... It had to be one of the worst. Shiro was vaguely away of someone entering the room as he spoke.

"You guys are supposed to be able to trust me. I don't know what happened or what I did, but I betrayed that trust. I'm so sorry."

Before anyone could respond to his apology, Shiro was ripped from Allura and Lance and pushed against the wall behind him by the figure who had entered the room earlier.

"You think "sorry" is good enough?! Do you really think "sorry" will fix what you've done?!"

Pure shock had been the only thing keeping them from jumping to help Shiro, but now that they had gotten over it (mostly thanks to Krolia's yelling) they immediately went into action.

Hunk and Romelle moved behind Krolia and tried to pry her off of Shiro and Allura and Lance once again moved to to Shiro's side to support him.

"Krolia, please! Shiro was his friend, he wouldn't want this!"

The others didn't really understand what Romelle was talking about, but it must have meant something to Krolia. Her death grip on Shiro's neck finally loosened, and they were able to move her away from him.

Shiro fell on his hands and knees, gasping for breath. Lance stood at Shiro's side and looked at Krolia.

"What the quiznak is wrong with you? I get that something happened to Shiro, but it's over now, and we're all… okay." Lance's voice leveled out, and whatever he was going to say next was long forgotten. Because of how everyone had been spread out earlier he hadn't seen it, but with everyone huddled around Shiro it was obvious.

Where was Keith?

"Lotor took Keith. Didn't he?" It was barely a whisper, but everybody heard what Lance had said.

Krolia looked away from the Paladins, but answered Lance's question nonetheless.

"After we awoke I noticed that he wasn't here. I searched every inch of the castle, I scanned everything 10 miles around this ship, but there was no sign of him. When I finally checked the castle's surveillance video do you know what I saw? Keith struggling against Lotor in a 4 to 1 battle, only to lose and be knocked out at your hand."

Shiro felt weak in the knees.

There's no way. Keith was taken… because of me?

"Krolia, I...I-"

Krolia cut across Shiro's words. She stood with her back turned, barely looking at him through the corner of her eyes. There was something in her tone that Shiro couldn't quite identify, but somehow it sent more fear though him than having her claws at his throat.

"Keith is in the hands of that slimy, disgusting, excuse for a life form because of you."

Krolia paused, seemingly collecting herself. Everyone looked to Shiro, but he silently told them to wait. Whatever Krolia was going to say, he probably deserved.

"Do you have any idea what Lotor will do to him? He not only has a cherished member of the Blades, but of Voltron and all of its paladins. Keith is going to be tortured physically and mentally, used as leverage, or killed to break you… My son is going to be destroyed, and it's all your fault!"

Krolia left the bridge, but her strangled sobs could be heard throughout the hallways of the castle. There was only one word echoing throughout Shiro's mind, however. That word was son.

"Th-that was… Keith's mother?"

Nobody answered him outright, but the looks on their faces was enough for Shiro.

What have I done?

It was crazy. Shiro couldn't believe it, he refused to believe it. And yet, it was happening right in front of him. Keith had finally come back, he had finally found the mother he always believed just left him without another thought, but none of that mattered if Lotor succeeded in whatever he was planning with Keith. Worst of all there was only one person to blame.

"It's not your fault. We'll make sure that won't happen again." Allura tried her best to comfort Shiro, but nothing they could have said would make him feel better.

Not when Keith had been ripped from his mother's arms.

Not when Keith was on the edge of something horrible.

Not when it was all his fault.

Lance could practically see the light fading from Shiro's eyes. He wanted to say something, but he knew that this wasn't where he was needed. Not now, in any case.

"I'm going after Krolia. Romelle, I would really appreciate if you would start cleaning up around here and... do something about the wolf. Coran and Pidge, you start the search for Lotor and Keith. Allura and Hunk, you guys run a diagnostic on Shiro."

Once he finished directing everyone else, Lance turned to Shiro and switched to his most reassuring voice.
"We just need to make sure that whatever made this happen isn't lingering around."

Shiro gave a light nod, but refused to look anyone in the eye. The sight of their leader broke Lance's heart, but he knew that Shiro would have to come out of it in his own time, so for the time being he turned his attention to finding Krolia. He was pretty sure he had a good idea of where to start.

Lance made his way down the castle's corridor of rooms until he came to the one he wanted. Keith's room, left completely untouched since he had left. He gave a light knock on the door and walked in.

It was so dark that Lance could barely make out Krolia's figure. She, on the other hand, seems to have no problem seeing him.

"What is it you want?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

All things considered it wasn't the great line, but it was the best conversation starter Lance could think of.

"Do I look okay to you?" Krolia's tone was sharp, and made quick work of letting Lance know that he wasn't wanted.

He was determined to stay anyway.

He turned the lights up just so he could see her, and was stunned by what he saw.

Krolia was sitting on Keith's bed clutching his signature red and white jacket in one hand and staring at a picture that was tightly held in her other. (Lance couldn't tell exactly what it was a picture of, but he had an idea.) Her eyes were puffed and a indigo, (Lance assumed it was a Galra thing) a clear sign that she had been crying.

Despite the situation Lance couldn't help but smile a little. When he had first met Krolia she had seemed stiff and emotionless, but she clearly cared a lot about Keith, and Lance was happy that Keith had finally found what he was looking for.

All the more reason why we need to get him back.

Lance slowly walked over and sat next to Krolia on Keith's bed. She stiffened slightly, but otherwise didn't acknowledge Lance's presence. It was almost scary how much like Keith she was.

Lance took a deep breath and released it.

"Look… I can't even begin to comprehend what you're feeling, but maybe you can understand what Shiro is going through. I don't know much about Shiro and Keith's history together, but I know enough. Enough to know that Shiro would never hurt Keith if he had a choice. Enough to know that after Keith's dad died, Shiro practically raised him. Not only would Shiro never hurt Keith, but he would give his life for Keith's in a heartbeat. Shiro has to be hurting just as much as you.
I understand why you're upset, but if you're gonna be angry at anyone… be angry at Lotor."

Lance waited for Krolia to reacted or say something, but the room remained silent. With a sigh Lance got up and walked to the door. He already had one foot out the door when he heard Krolia speak.

"I never wanted to leave him. Galra, human, it didn't matter to me. From the moment I looked at him I knew that he was always going to be my beautiful little boy… Unfortunately the rest of the Galra did not share my sentiments. If I didn't make my return, if I didn't take their attention off of Earth he would have been taken, and as long as he looked human they wouldn't care about anything else. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and that includes fighting an empire that has stood for 10,000 years."

Lance turned around to look at Krolia. He could already feel the tears in his eyes, but stayed silent, knowing that she had more to say.

"Right now my anger at your friend may be misdirected, but if my son doesn't come out of this alive… there will be Hell to pay."

Krolia bumped one of her shoulders with one of Lance's on her way out of the room. Lance stared after her until she was gone, and then returned to his own room.

Thankfully, he had some time before Shiro was done with his arm dianetics, he needed to cool down before trying to approach their leader.

"I take it things didn't go well with Krolia?"

It must have still been written all over his face, if that was the first thing Shiro asked when Lance walked into his room.

Allura, alongside Pidge and Hunk, had worked on Shiro's arm for the past few hours in an attempt to make sure that all traces of what they had figured out to be the witch, Haggar, were gone. She had informed Lance that it went well, but that didn't seem to have put Shiro in any better spirits.

"No, it didn't."

"Can't say I blame her. After all, thanks to me her son is as good as dead."

Lance's head snapped up to look at Shiro and he felt something flare up in his chest, but it wasn't the warmth or the sadness he had felt when talking to Krolia. It wasn't the sympathy he'd had for Shiro. No, this was something else entirely. This was anger, annoyance, disappointment, all combined to make a weird mixture that spurred Lance to action.

"You're kidding me right?"

"Obviously not, Lance. You heard Krolia, Lotor's not exactly going to go easy on Keith-"

"Who gives a crap about that?! Keith isn't dead yet-"

"We don't know that-"

"Shut up! Just shut up, Shiro!"

Shiro flinched at Lance's tone and sudden raise of voice. As much as Lance hated to use it, hated to see his leader like this, it was clear to him that something had to be done. And it was up to him to do it.

"Stop acting like Keith is already dead! Stop throwing yourself this disgusting little pity party! The Shiro I know would never give up on Keith like that! And don't give me that "the Shiro you knew is gone" crap, because he's not gone he's right front of me! He's almost unrecognizable, but he's there. He's being pulled in by darkness, but I won't let him fall victim to it, not again. The Shiro I know always said that believing in yourself was the only way to get others to believe in you. Well right now… I don't, but you know who does? Keith. Even when he's trapped and alone in the hands of the enemy… he would never stop believing in you. But none of that means anything… if you don't believe in yourself."

By the time he finished Lance was huffing, panting for breath, and the room fell completely silent.

It hurt. It hurt to see Shiro, the man he had once idolized, reduced to nothing more than a shell of his old self. It was unnatural to have to be the one picking Shiro up, the one who was always there ready to support. It hurt, and Lance had released all of those emotions at once, all directed at Shiro, whether or not they were originally meant to be.

Everything Lance had said, Shiro had needed to hear, he still couldn't help but wonder if he went a little overboard.

Without saying anything Shiro stood and walked out of the room, and Lance lost any thought of having said too much.

"Are you going to another pity party?"

Shiro didn't even turn to look at Lance as he answered.

"Don't be absurd Lance… that can wait until after we find Keith."

Shiro finally turned to Lance. There was determination in his voice and a raging fire in his eyes.

Needless to say, Shiro, their Shiro, was back.

"Thank you, Lance, for reminding me of who I am. I'm sorry I let down."

Lance pulled Shiro into a hug.

"My dad used to say: "you could never let me down, not as long as you keep getting back up." That's how I feel right now. Welcome back Shiro."

They pulled apart, but Shiro kept a hand on Lance's shoulder.

"It's great to be back. Now, let's go save Keith. "