Last chapter; this is it guys!

.

It's Lance.

It had to be Lance.

The lions, BOTH OF THEM, roared at it. It's Lance.

Allura took a deep breath.

"Keith, it's-"

"Lance. Yes, I heard that." Keith sounded like he smiled, grinned on the other side of the intercom. Allura was glad to hear that. Or she was happy to think he was glad.

The lions entered the ozone layers, going faster. They followed the capsule, not really caring about the Galra ship behind them that might potentially kill them.

Thanks to Pidges little upgrade, all the lions had an invincible cloak; they were grateful beyond words. The lions shook from the turbulence as they almost caught up with the capsule.

According to Keith, the capsule was heading for Cuba, some place by the ocean. He seemed to be a bit nervous about the blue parts of the planet. Was it poisonous, she wondered?

"Do you think the capsule will float?" he asked her while the lions maneuvered downhill. Allura honestly didn't know. They left it with that.

…

The capsule landed on a beach. A beach only a few meters from the blue liquid. Keith seemed relieved, which put Allura at ease too. Maybe the liquid WAS poisonous.

They landed the lions between a few trees, giving shelter and a good hiding spot in case the beach wasn't deserted. As they stepped out, Keith breathed in the air, and he seemed so. Peaceful.

And she could totally relate; if she could return to her own planet, she would feel happy about breathing in the same air. But that was not important now.

They only breathed in the air for a second before they began running.

They ran towards the capsule that were painfully visible in the sand; the dark material stood out from the light colours of the scenery. Allura swiftly moved her eyes to look around; it was so peaceful here that it seemed as if the world had stopped. The sun layed low on the sky, almost touching the liquids far, far way, painting the sky red and orange. Was it day right now? She didn't know, and now was not the time to ask either.

"Lance!" Keith yelled, running even faster now. Stripes of steam oozed from the pod ahead of them.

The red paladin shoved his sword in between the doors and kicked it open. More steam.

Keith was silent for a second before he jumped into the capsule.

When Allura caught up and swung her head to look inside, she saw Keith with his head close to Lances, mumbling something she couldn't catch.

.

It was him.

.

It was Lance. It certainly was Lance, there was no doubt; he was real, and he was alive.

In the capsule, he was tied up in a seat. However, unconscious. Keith tried to talk him back to consciousness, and it seemed to work. Little by little, Lance seemed to get back to them.

Allura couldn't shake off this uneasiness, no matter how happy she was to finally find her missing paladin. To find him alive, and in one piece. It was hard to believe; something must be wrong.

Lance was wearing the same uniform as in the video with Lotor. Except the fact that this uniform did not have a major cut in the chest. It was the same, but not damaged. No human blood.

"K-keith..?"

"LANCE!" the red paladin smiled and leaped in for a hug. It was obvious that the missing paladin did not see that coming.

"Why are you guys here?" Lance asked. His voice was confused.

It was cold.

Keith pulled out of the hug, and looked at the paladin he finally got to reunite with.

"What do you mean? We are here to get you back!" Keith felt accused.

"No. No, nononono why did you leave the battle? Why are you here, you should be fighting! You don't need me, go back!" Lance untied himself, stood up in the capsule and began walking toward Keith. Keith backed out of the capsule.

"Why are you mad? We are here to save you! We need you to form Volt-"

"NO YOU DON'T."

Keith was silent. Allura held her breath.

Now they were all outside on the beach. The sun was setting. The sky was red.

"I SAW you guys. Even without me, you formed Voltron. Heck, you even formed Voltron MINUTES after you saw me die!"

Lance was screaming. Allura could clearly see the tears falling down his face. It looked like two rivers.

"You KNEW?!" Keith yelled back. He looked furious.

This wouldn't get them anywhere, Allura thought. She had to say something, get this on the right track. She had to say the right words.

"Yes, I knew, 'cause it was MY IDEA. I know Allura don't like the idea of being friends with Galra, or even making a deal with one, but I DID. And my plan worked perfectly." Lance calmed down as he spoke. Something about the way he lowered his voice spoke to Allura as seriousness.

They were hitting a spot.

She had to shut up Keith before he riled him up again.

"What was that plan, exactly? We all was you die; Hunk too. How do you think he felt?" Allura tried to take a step forward. Relax. Be understanding. Don't say you understand him, because you don't. Accept him.

"Even HUNK could form Voltron with that image in mind!" he snapped.

-I made a deal with Lotor.

I said that my team would be so unstable if I died, that they couldn't form Voltron. You see, Lotor cares about the small details. He wanted to bargain with you; trade me for a lion, as you know. He knew you would deny his offer, so we went on with the idea to kill me.

Our deal was clear; if you guys didn't form Voltron, he would send me to Earth. You wouldn't know the difference between me back home or me dead, anyway.

If you guys were able to form Voltron despite me dying, he'd lock me up and pry information out of me."

They were silent.

"It was a moment of truth for me too, actually. It would show if you guys needed me, or if I really was dead weight. My death didn't seem to be important enough for you not to connect.."

Lance bent over to pick up a handful of sand. Although he was wearing gloves, he seemed to get the feel of the texture. His smile was grim.

"If even Hunk can form Voltron minutes after seeing his best friend die, then I am truly without value."

He snorted in disgust.

"So no, I won't be coming home with you. Now go, or the Galra will get you."

Keith and Allura were standing there, speechless. Lance had planned all this? Was this how he saw his own team? Was this really how bad they treated him?

"Lance, we-"

"YOU ABSOLUTE MORON!" it came from Keith. In unison, he and the lions leaped at the blue paladin. Lances eyes went huge as Blue jumped above him, with Red following.

"Why are you like this?!" Keith slammed his right fist next to Lances face. He stared him down, and Lance could only avert his eyes after seconds. His eyes were still red, puffy and wet.

"Lance- I- You fucking.. Dude, I.." Keith lost words. Allura saw him sink down on Lance, his body twitching. Lance didn't try to push him; they were just lying there. With the huge lions trying to stay on top of them.

.

"I'm so sorry you feel this way,"

"We need you- I need you,"

"Damnit Lance, I wish you knew how much I need you in my life,"

"Please come back to the castle,"

"I'm sorry for taking your lion,"

"Lance,"

"I am so sorry you feel this way."

.

Keiths words seemed to hit a button in Lance. The paladin began to sob; his body shaking in sync with the red boy.

It seemed like both Red and Blue were using telepathy with Lance, only making him into a bigger crying mess.

"You are the reason we are in space, don't you ever forget that. You are great with our fans, your sniper skills are great – I saw you train the other day, it was great – you are great with words, I am so thankful for having you to drag me out of danger. Thank you for being my right hand, my-"

Keith kept whining in Lances ear while the Cuban sobbed. Keith nudged his face into Lances throat.

Allura were staying further away, staying sure that no Galra would interrupt this.

To think that Lances short time with Red had already created such a strong bond was amazing. The two lions he'd piloted would go to such lengths to get him!

He truly was priceless.

.

She needed her paladin back.

.

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Also yes, sorry for the shitty ending, I am terrible at good endings.