Voltron: Dark Universe

Chapter 10:

"Hope"

"Say that again!" Asked Pidge.

Shiro thought it would be better to talk with others about what Allura thought in the morning. It would be better to sleep and rest a bit, before shaking everyone again. However, Shiro couldn't sleep that night, his mind was spinning about the matter. It was possible that Allura was just refusing to accept the incident, and was fooling herself. That she just wanted to believe that Lance was coming back safe and sound. But, what if she was right? What if all this time he was still alive?

In the morning he and Allura gathered them all in the room, and told them. Shiro and Allura were standing, next to her, Coran, Pidge and Hunk sitting on the couch, and Keith leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Allura sighed. "I have reasons, though not enough, to believe that Lance is not dead. His Lion, unlike ...the last time." She looked at Shiro. "It has not been deactivated, it's only in stasis. With the shields activated it's impossible for anyone to become its Paladin." She looked down. "I think this is because he's still alive, and the Red Lion knows it."

"But," Hunk said, "It doesn't make much sense. Do not get me wrong, I want to believe what you're saying, but if Lance is really alive, shouldn't the Red Lion have tried to rescue him already? I mean, we all remember how many times it went to the aid of Keith, why would Lance be different?

"Hunk is right." Said Coran. "The link with the Lion should be strong enough. The Lion could have done something."

Shiro spoke. "On the other hand, when we met the Lions for the first time, their shields were activated. Maybe it's automatic. Maybe it does not mean anything after all."

"And what if it does?" Asked Pidge. "What if the Lion really knows he's alive, but can't go help him? What if he was captured by the Galra?"

Hunk supported her. "That could explain why he hadn't contacted us yet, and why we didn't find him after the explosion."

"But if he's not there," said Coran, "then he could be anywhere. It would be much more difficult to find him. Only The Blade of Marmora could locate him.

"We must go back to the planet!" Said Pidge. "Maybe he's there, we could follow his trail, and the Red Lion could guide us!"

"Pidge, I do not think it's that easy." Said Shiro.

"It is! We just have to-" She stopped. She relaxed a little and settled into the chair. "Maybe you're right. I'm sorry."

"I think," said Hunk, looking at her, "that we could go to the planet to take a look. Just that. At least that's how we would know if he really is still there or not."

Allura looked at Shiro, and then she looked at Keith, who was still with his arms crossed, head down and his eyes closed.

"Keith, you haven't expressed your opinion, and I would like to hear it." She said, as pleading.

Keith looked up and looked at everyone. He had to ponder his response, after all, it was him, who suggested moving forward without Lance. He asked a question that nobody had asked.

"Lance was there. I heard him, he talked to me just before the explosion, I ... I couldn't help him. I'm sure he didn't get out of there. Now, let's say you're right, and he's alive, how? We know that he didn't board a cruise ship, nor did one arrive later. We stayed there all day. So, what saved his life, Allura?"

Allura clasped her hands and looked down.

"The Dark Quintescence."

"What?" Pidge asked, startled.

"Since Lance mentioned it the first time, I've been looking for information about that. Most of our history was erased along with my father's memory, and it has been difficult, but I have found something. It seems that the Dark Quintescence has its origin in an ancient "Dark Planet". There is little I could find, but it seems that this Quintescence is the same that allowed Zarkon to resuscitate, and it is what has kept him alive so long. Unfortunately, I still do not get all the missing pieces, and all these are just random ideas.

"So," Keith said. "If Lance were alive, there would be a risk that he would be ..."

"What I mean is that, he was in a lot of contact with the Dark Quintessence, maybe enough to keep him safe. If we find him in time, I can heal him."

Keith thought it over. He couldn't deny that he wanted Lance to come back, Keith wanted at least to say that he regretted having failed him. If he was still alive, he could amend it. But what Allura said was also a risk. They didn't know the Dark Quintessence at all, so nobody could know the side effects of a resurrection, or if it was possible. It was not even accurate what they were assuming.

"I think..." He stopped a few seconds. "I say we must go back. It's true, all this is just a theory. We have no idea what Dark Quintessence is capable of doing. But if there is at least a chance to find out what happened to Lance, I'll take it, no matter how minimal it may be. Voltron has brought hope to the Universe, how could we continue to do so, if we don't believe in ourselves?

Without realizing it, a tear had left his eyes. No other word was said. It seemed that everyone agreed with him.

"Coran, let's go back to Orion Prime."

"Right away Princess." Coran immediately retired.

...

Keith stopped in front of the Red Lion. Indeed, the shield was active. He placed his hand on the shield and closed his eyes. Nothing. Keith closed his eyes more tightly.

"Come on, Red. You and I were connected. If you know something... please..."

Keith stayed that way for a while, but finally gave up. He looked up at the Lion. The shield was still active.

"Do you believe it, that he is alive?" Keith asked suddenly, without turning back. Allura approached him.

"I want to believe it."

Keith withdrew his hand. "Do you think we are doing the right thing?"

The princess thought she understood what he meant, since when did they follow a simple hunch? Making that trip not only made them vulnerable to any Galra attack, it also proved that Voltron's greatest strength was his greatest weakness. Allura suffered the death of his father, and the loss of the first Voltron Paladins, but this new sensation was different. She not only considered Lance a great friend, and a good Paladin, she also considered him a family. That was their greatest strength, they all worked as one, took care of themselves and gave their best for everyone.

"I was about to ask you the same thing."

"Everyone on this ship count on me. In us, not only as a team leader, but also as a friend. They had never trusted me so much before, and that's why I fear now. And if we are wrong? What if I fail everyone?" Keith turned to her. Allura thought for a few seconds. Finally she smiled

"My heart tells me that he is there." She placed her hand on her chest. "It also tells me not to give up. And for me, that's the right thing. What does your heart say Keith?"

Keith looked down, as if expecting to see his heart come out of his chest and talk to him. Then he looked at her again. He saw her smile and understood that she trusted him, that she believed like him, and that she would not abandon him.

"I've never been good at listening, you know? But this time…"

"Yes?"

"I know we're going to find him." Keith smiled determinedly. Trusted.

"That is called hope."

She gave him a hug. Finally they returned to the bridge.