Allura felt uneasiness like a heavy weight in the pit of her stomach that morning as she faced another day of training. Starting with more blaster practice, she hoped it would be a better day with all of what was in store, but that hope sooned diminished the moment her blaster wouldn't fire.

Closing her eyes,she heard Keith's words in her mind like a mantra you're on the safe side. Taking a deep breath, she then fired the blaster successfully, but missed her target again and again. Feeling a warm flush at her cheeks, she tried not to get upset with herself even though she could feel Lance's eyes mocking her. Ignoring him, she continued to practice her shooting, then finally hit the target over in the far left corner.

"Wow. It only took you how many times?" Lance scoffed while he shot at his target making a perfect bullseye. "Damn, I'm good," he sneered as he took off his shirt to reveal his muscular abs.

"Knock it off Lance!" Keith snapped as he glared at him in repulsion. He nodded his approval at Allura's attempts and gave her a gentle pat on the back. "It'll get better Princess. Just keep at it." She managed a slight smile, but was still disappointed in how she performed.

"I've got to be successful," she replied shaking her head.

"It's time for some combat training Princess. Why don't you and Lance get started in the gym and I'll catch up to you. Coran needed to talk with me for a few minutes," Keith stated as he began a steady walk to the castle.

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Allura was now dreading the hand to hand combat, especially with Lance. Her breaths were shallow as she arrived in the castle's gymnasium where she faced him waiting eagerly for her.

"Alright Blondie, let's see what you're made of," Lance once again in his trademark sarcastic tone as he walked around Allura in a circle.

Allura remained as composed, her face expressionless as she fought back internally the emotions of fear, hurt and anger that were eating at her like a hungry wolf. She held her fighting stance and as she struck blows with Lance, concentrated on maintaining her balance. Her eyes never left his, but before she realized it, she was lying flat on the floor. He had kicked her feet from underneath her.

"Get up!" he ordered unaware that Keith had entered the gym where they were. Lance stood chuckling softly at Allura on the floor as he paraded around her, sheer cockiness in his expression. Keith could see Allura had been taken by surprise, her cheeks pink with embarrassment and as she caught sight of him, she gazed at him with a pleading, helpless look.

Keith was also shocked at Lance's gloating attitude and with fury in his voice yelled out, "That's enough Lance! What the hell is wrong with you?"

Lance ignoring Keith continued to heckle Allura putting her in a chokehold while demanding she get up to her feet and fight with him, but her emotional dam had suddenly burst.

"No!" she cried. Tears began to flow like torrential rains down her cheeks. "I've had enough! Why do you have to be so mean? You want me to fail!" Her words were becoming incoherent as she choked on her sobs. "If you want me to be good, then teach me!"

She nearly stumbled as she got up to her feet and quickly rushed from the room, her wailing and footsteps heard in the hallway for several seconds and then it was eerily quiet with Lance and Keith left in the gym.

"You've pushed her too far Lance," Keith spoke gritting his teeth. "I'll deal with you later," he added as he turned around to face Lance at the doorway, his tone low and serious, his eyes dark as coal.

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Keith walked at a brisk pace down one of the lengthy castle corridors thinking Allura was headed to her father's tomb. He stopped abruptly when he heard faint crying and then saw a glimpse of pink in one of the empty conference rooms. There she sat, head down in her arms while slumped over in a chair. Cautiously, he made his way towards her and placing his hand to her shoulder, he spoke, "Hey, I thought you'd have gone to talk your father."

There was a moment of awkward silence, only her snifling before she responded, "I, I'm so exhausted. I, I ha.. had to sit down," she managed to stammer out between sobs while still with her head hanging low.

As Keith pulled out a nearby chair, he reached into the pocket of his red flight suit and pulled out a handkerchief sliding it towards her. He wanted to take her in his arms, hold her, comfort her and then go back to the gym and punch Lance into oblivion. The man in him wanted to console her, but the soldier in him yelled Let her find her strength! Instead, he took her hand gently. Silently, he sat next to her trying to think of what to say, but the words wouldn't come. While he nervously ran his other hand through his raven hair, Allura spoke.

"I'm no good. I shouldn't have tried to be part of the team. I'm not Sven and I won't be as good as him." she murmured not lifting her head, but rocking back and forth in her chair and weeping.

Keith continued to sit still, just listening to her and still holding her hand.

"What would my father think of me? I'll never be like him." She shook her head. " I just wanted to defend my planet, stand up for my people, be more than just a princess in a gown and a prize for Lotor," she continued to choke out. After dabbing at her tear-soaked eyes, she quietly blew her nose with the handkerchief.

"Allura, I know Lance was tough on you. It caught me by surprise. We've been trying to train you so you can handle the Drules, handle Lotor, but Lance," Keith shook his head in disgust, "He crossed the line."

"He hates me. He thinks I'm worthless. He's changed, Keith and I don't know him anymore." She balled the handkerchief in her fist tightly and nervously she began to pick out the loose pins in her blonde hair causing it to tumble down.

"I wouldn't go to that assumption Princess. He's tough, strong-willed and competitive with an overly-inflated ego. Prove him wrong Princess. I know you can." Keith stated feeling more confident in his ability to get her to calm from her meltdown. Words and inspiration then continued to flow.

"Look Princess, you can do this. I remember that broken and scared girl on the stairs and look how far you have come. You've already been handling the blue lion like a trained, experienced pilot." A smile curved Keith's lips and he continued on. "And comparing yourself to Sven? Look, I know those were some big shoes to fill, but I believe in you. You've got this."

She finally looked up, her red-rimmed blue eyes looking into his warm, brown eyes as he took her quivering chin in his hand.

"I mean it Allura. I believe in you. Now, believe in yourself." He got to his feet as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Thank you Keith," she whispered softly as she stood up and gave him a warm embrace.

He held her close for a moment and then purposely, he headed towards the entryway and stopped. She hadn't turned around, but she could hear his footsteps near the door and then heard him turn around.

"Oh, and Princess? You're father is proud of you. I know it." he said.

She managed a smile and nodded slowly. Taking a deep breath, she stated out loud, "Tomorrow will be a better day. I know it."