Chapter 8-
Lance straightened Red out and turned in time to see the Black Lion engulfed with darkness and hear Keith's scream. Blue and purple light ran down the line to the Galra Ship and the ship disappeared too fast for anyone to stop it.
"KEITH!" Lance found himself scream when his friends line went dead and had Red grab the Black Lion.
"Coran! Get A Cryopod Ready ASAP!" Allura ordered.
The Paladins flew back to the Castle and Red put Black down gently before Lance jumped out of his new Lion, landed on Blacks head, opened the emergency hatch and jumped in.
The boy quickly made his way over to the pilots' seat, hoping Keith was still there, and saw Keith on the chair. A wave of relief flashed through the boy but it got cut off when he saw his friend slumped. The 17-year-old quickly took off the older boys' helmet, Keith's skin was paler than normal and his hair was stuck to his forehead due to sweat and his breathing was too shallow.
Lance quickly picked the boy up and ran out of the Black Lion. The new Red Paladin got to the medbay as fast as he could, ignoring the slight tickle in his chest. The others were already there and the Cryopod was ready.
Lance noticed Keith's breathing was almost gone and ignored Hunk who was holding a Cryopod suit.
"No Time To Change Him!" Lance shouted and placed the barely breathing boy into the healing pod, "He's Barely Breathing!"
The pod closed and began to heal the new Black Paladin. Lance leaned his head against the glass-like substance and closed his eyes.
"How long until he comes out?" Lance asked silently.
"At least" Coran began counting, "10 vargas"
Lance nodded, "and at most?"
"I don't know"
-2 Days Later-
Lance hasn't left Keith's side in two whole days. Hunk brought him food and water. Pidge, Allura and Coran brought him a blanket, a pillow and a mattress.
Today, everyone was gathered around their current leaders' healer pod after getting the alert that he was getting out. Lance was excited and worried. Excited to get his friend back and worried that something went wrong.
The familiar hiss of the Cryopod opening caused Lance to snap out of his thoughts and catch Keith. He placed him on a chair and grabbed his rival's shoulders to stabilize him. The 17-year-old noticed that the 18-year-old hadn't opened his eyes yet.
"Keith?" Lance asked, everyone had gathered around the two, "can you hear me?"
The hybrids face scrunched up and he slowly opened his eyes. Lances eyes widened when he saw dull silver eyes with very small pupils.
"Wh-wha-what's wron-wrong?" Keith groaned out as he laid his head on Lances chest.
"Yo-your eyes" Allura stammered.
"Their silver" Pidge finished for the princess.
Keiths, now silver, eyes widened and he tried to stand but Lance held him down.
"Lance!" Keith yelled in panic, "Let Me Go!"
The boy ignored him and held tighter, "Keith, Calm Down!"
Keith ignored him and slowly his struggles became weaker. With a groan, the hybrid fell unconscious. Lance carefully laid the older boy on the ground with Keiths head on Lances legs.
Coran walked over and placed a white device on Keiths head, "this will tell us what's wrong"
The device made a soft ding a few seconds later and Coran looked at the results.
"Oh no" Coran whispered, fear lacing his voice.
"What? What is it?" Hunk asked nervously.
"The magic took away all of his Quintessence" Coran whispered quietly, "His body is dying, I-I don't think he'll live any longer"
Lance looked at Keith, tears in his eyes, before laying his hand on Keiths chest and burying his head in the crook of the older boys' neck.
"Pl-please stay al-alive K-Kei-Keith" Lance cried, "please do-don-don't giv-give up"
The other Castle occupants stared sadly at this as they silently cried.
"Pl-please don-don't leav-leave me" Lance cried harder and whispered the last part, "I-I lo-love yo-you."
The rise and fall of Keiths chest disappeared.