The Third Sphere Part I: Keith's Redemption
Author's Notes: Apologies for not posting last week. I had babysitting duties, so I wasn't able to write. Thank you very much for all the reviews and following the story. It's really warms the heart to read your comments. ^_^
Personalities and character description will also be loosely based on the Voltron Force TV series (Keith's and Allura's eye color, Lance's physique, etc.) as well as some of their techs (e.g. Voltcoms and Lion upgrades). Back story of the Voltron Force were taken from Dynamite's comic Voltron: Year One.
Disclaimer: I do not own Voltron and its characters. I'm just a fan of the universe.
-oo-
The rest of the Voltron Force stood around two bodies that sat opposite each other…
When Keith's body suddenly went slack, Allura rushed forward. Amidst energy surges and balls of electricity surrounding Keith, Allura reached out and held his face.
"I need to get in there!" she exclaimed, seemingly not affected by what's been happening around Keith.
"Woah! Hold up, Princess!" Lance exclaimed as he reached out to her. "You said so yourself that Keith wouldn't last with two consciousness residing in his body. You getting in there might do him in!"
"I would have to agree, Allura," Sven added. "One alien consciousness is already taking its toll on Keith, adding you to the mix might have a serious long term effect on him."
"I won't be directly inside his consciousness," she reasoned. "I would still be in my own body. I would just be in the fringes of his mind but enough to be able to find Sigis and flush him out."
"I can't allow you to get in there, Princess," Lance said.
"Is that a direct order, Commander?" Allura remarked defiantly as she stood in front of Keith. "I am willing to face a court martial if that's the case."
Lance and Sven exchanged looks. A silent communication started between the two. Lance looked at Sven for help. Even after all these years, he still looked up to his former commander. His advice and guidance were something Lance took to heart.
Sven looked at the determined face of Allura. He knew that she would do whatever it took for her to get her way. A woman would do anything for the man she loves. He remembered another woman who stood her ground and was shot before his eyes. He closed his eyes to shut out that memory. It wouldn't do any good with the current situation if he started remembering Romelle. He sighed loudly as he rubbed a hand to his temples.
"You said you can get inside his consciousness without you leaving your body?" Sven asked.
"Yes," she answered. "I can enter his consciousness without me leaving my body. I will only be able to be in the fringes of his mind but I know I'll be able to find them."
"Sven?"
Sven looked back at Lance and gave a slight nod. Lance sighed but shook his head and asked, "are you sure about this? One wrong move and we'll lose Keith forever."
"It's riskier to let Sigis stay in Keith's body," Sven answered. "If Princess Allura has a chance, however minutely to find them inside Keith's consciousness, I think it's worth it."
He then turned to Princess Allura who was still standing by Keith.
"If anything happens to Keith," he said. "I will be holding you responsible, Allura."
Allura's gaze didn't falter as she stared back at Sven. She was determined to get Keith back as much as anyone. She will not fail in this mission.
"The only thing that will happen to Keith is his freedom from Alexander," answered Allura. "I promise you that."
Sven just nodded and Hunk brought a chair and situated it on front of Keith. Allura sat and she came face to face with her beloved once more. Electric current and orbs of light still surrounded the commander. Pain was shown on Keith's face and Allura ached for him. She should have known that something was bothering him the moment they returned with Voltron. The distance between them was apparent even to the whole team, but she only thought it was the anxiety that Keith was feeling when Lotor came to the Galaxy Alliance with talk of peace. She should have known that there was something deeper there.
"Come back to me, my love," Allura whispered. "Please come back to me."
With that, she closed her eyes and concentrated. She tapped into her magic and let her consciousness drift towards Keith...
"How long has it been?" Hunk asked as he sat on the couch that was within striking distance from his two teammates.
"One hour, ten minutes and twenty-six seconds and counting," Pidge answered beside him. He has a console on his lap, tapping some keys to monitor his two teammates. So far, he hasn't found anything wrong with them. "And it has been fifteen minutes and thirty seven seconds since you've last asked me."
Lance and Sven paced around the room. Both were looking back every so often at Keith and Allura who have been immobile for some time.
"Are you sure we did the right thing?" Lance asked Sven as he the look of worry didn't leave his face.
"As much as we didn't have a choice in the matter, Lance," Sven answered. "We should trust Allura. She has more at stake at this than any of us."
"They've been in there for an hour," stated Lance. He approached his two teammates, careful not to touch them, and just observe. "We let her in there without any kind of back-up."
"Keith fought Sigis for a whole day," Sven explained. "It has only been an hour. Besides, what could we have done to help them? We can't use magic. We'll be more of a liability to the both of them than help."
"I just don't like the idea of standing by and doing nothing," Lance retorted as he walked towards the sofa where Hunk and Pidge were sitting. He sat down, crossed his arms, and gave a heavy sigh of resignation.
Sven gave a soft chuckle and replied, "You were always the hot-head, Lance."
"That's why Keith bypassed you for Commander," added Hunk with a short laugh.
"Don't remind me of the dark days," Lance remarked with a smirk.
"Keith has been the better choice of Commander," Pidge added. "You have to admit that."
"Hey," Lance exclaimed. "I'm right here! Let's keep the insults to a minimum, shall we?"
As the rest of the members settled down with throwing light insults at each other, the atmosphere surrounding Keith started to change. The air fizzled and the distortions slowly took shape. As the distortion formed, the rest of the Voltron Force gathered around their two team mates, creating a protective arc around them. Finally, the shape finally took the form of a humanoid male and Alexander Sigis stood before them. The Arusian was translucent, but even in spirit form he was every inch a Knight of Arus. Sigis stood before them, but the formidable Knight, even in spirit form, looked defeated.
"Sigis."
"Commander Holgersson," replied Sigis. "Commander Mc Clain."
"I like the sound of that," remarked Lance. "Commander Mc Clain. It really has a nice ring to it."
"You can keep the position," said a rough voice behind him. "But I will be taking my command back."
