A/N: I may post another chapter this Wednesday again. The next chapter needs some editing, I think, so it all depends on whether or not I am pleased with it by Wednesday, and how much progress I get on the rest of the story.
"Are you still getting a signal?" Pidge heard Shiro ask over the com.
"Faintly," Coran answered. "They have disappeared to the other side of the moon."
Pidge gripped the controls, keeping her eyes on the distant Red. Soon after the lion had taken off -apparently on her own- the transmission from the rebels had broken off. The paladins had rushed to aid them, but were having a hard time locking on to their location.
"I think if we follow Red, she'll lead us to them," Pidge said.
"I wonder why?" Hunk mused. "She hasn't budged all this time. Why now?"
"It could be… that one of the resistance fighters is her new paladin," Allura suggested.
"What?!" the paladins exclaimed.
"Red needs a new pilot. Perhaps she has chosen one of the rebels," Allura said, as if the lions chose pilots every day.
Pidge frowned. Yeah, Red needed a pilot, but she didn't think she could handle a stranger taking Keith's place just yet. Especially if it was the one that talked like Keith. Which, actually, would probably be the one Red chose.
"I see smoke!" Lance said.
"A crashed ship?" Hunk guessed.
Pidge watched Red slow near the smoke plume, then move on. She angled Green to follow, while Shiro told Lance to investigate the smoke. A bit further on, Pidge spotted two more lines of smoke. Three crash sites. Three ships.
"We're too late!" Hunk cried, echoing Pidge's thoughts.
"No, wait. Look at Red," Shiro said.
Pidge tore her gaze from the smoke, to Red. She was circling an area that seemed slightly burned. After a moment, she flew between two stone arches and landed.
"Pidge and I will investigate," Shiro said, even as Pidge was moving Green closer. "Hunk, keep an eye out for us."
"Be careful," Hunk fretted, Yellow's head turning back and forth as he doubtlessly worried about Galra sneaking up on them.
Green soon reached landed beside Red, who was crouched with her nose close to the ground. Pidge hopped out of her seat and ran outside, where she noticed something brown in front of Red's muzzle. While Shiro carefully piloted Black through the narrow arches, Pidge trotted over to investigate.
It was a backpack. Normally, Pidge wasn't one to pry, but something had tipped it over and the top flap hadn't been secured. She leaned down, trying to get a good view of what was inside.
A metal box had slid partially out of the pack, revealing a scarf wrapped around a set of handcuffs, something shining, and a loop of rope. Further in the pack was something white that looked like a bit of armor.
"Pidge!"
Pidge jumped at Shiro's call. She turned guiltily, but Shiro was glancing around as if he hadn't noticed the pack.
"Did you see anyone?" Shiro asked as he came up beside Pidge.
Pidge shook her head. "Just this backpack. Red seems interested in it."
Shiro crouched beside the pack, but ignored it. He ran his hand across the rocky ground. His eyes flicked around, then he turned.
"They landed here," Shiro murmured. He stood and walked over to several burned spots. His foot hit something, and a piece of metal clattered across the ground. "They must have been hit, and were getting ready to leave."
"But to where? And why did they leave the pack?" Pidge asked.
Red straightened and turned her head. She rumbled, then launched once again.
"Here we go again!" Pidge said.
While Shiro headed for Black, Pidge grabbed the pack on impulse. She closed up the top and threw it over her shoulder to sprint up to Green and inside.
Pidge and Shiro followed Red into the air. She headed in the direction of the smoke, but hesitated about halfway there. She hovered, large head sweeping back and forth. While Red paused, Blue had caught up.
"Nothing but a crashed Galra fighter," Lance reported. "I didn't see any other Galra around."
"Lance and Hunk, you two check out the other crash sites," Shiro said. "Pidge and I will stick with Red."
Blue and Yellow dipped their heads while their paladins voiced agreement. They peeled off as Red settled on a stone column.
"What's she doing?" Pidge asked, watching Red pace across some arches.
"It looks like she is trying to find a way to the ground," Shiro said.
Shiro was proven correct as Red found a gap in the stone and slipped through. Pidge was quick to follow, but the hole was too small for Black.
"Get on Green," Pidge said, hovering her lion beside the hole.
Black opened her mouth, allowing Shiro to exit. He leaped down and, using his jetpack to slow himself, dropped onto Green's head. He turned to the hatch as Pidge popped it open, and dropped into Green's cockpit. Green then angled down and landed on the ground. She lowered her head and opened her mouth to let the two paladins out.
"There's Red," Pidge said, pointing. Immediately after, she cocked her head and frowned. "What is she doing?"
"You've got me," Shiro commented as the paladins approached.
Red was crouched in front of a pile of stones. The stones formed some sort of cave or tunnel, and Red currently had her whole head hidden. Her tail slowly trailed back-and-forth.
There was a sharp clank, and Red twitched and slightly retracted her head. She gave a rumble, then there was a louder sound of impact. This time, Red fully pulled out her head, rumbling deeply. Before either paladin could speak, there was a shout from the rocks.
"Leave me alone!"
Pidge froze. The voice was Blade's, she was sure. Clear of static, it sounded more like Keith than ever. She shook her head, telling herself to stop thinking like that, and looked to Shiro for a cue on what to do.
Shiro had also halted. He was frowning slightly, but cleared his expression and walked up to Red's side. Pidge followed, curious about the stranger.
When the paladins were closer, Red once again lowered her head. Something came flying out of the cave to clang against Red's muzzle, making her jerk away.
Pidge snorted and had to clap a hand to her mouth when she realized what Blade had been doing: throwing rocks at Red. Rocks. At a giant mechanical lion! Whoever Blade was, he was brave, Pidge decided.
"Hello?" Shiro called. "Are you the resistance who was calling for help?"
A slight pause. Then, "Who's asking?"
"I'm Shiro. We're paladins of Voltron."
"Voltron." The voice mumbled to himself for a moment, then said, "I think I have heard of you."
Pidge smiled in relief. It was easier to convince aliens that the paladins where on their side, if they had heard of Voltron.
Shiro waved his hand. "Come on out. We can take you to safety."
At first, there was no sound from in the cave. Pidge started forward, but Shiro halted her with an outstretched arm.
A slow tapping indicated footsteps, then a figure emerged from the darkness.
The stranger was wearing a large tan cloak with the hood drawn up, hiding his features. All Pidge could tell was the figure was humanoid, with armored legs. One arm was drawn defensively across his abdomen, while the other hung loose in the folds of the cloak.
"Blade, right?" Shiro said, using a tone of voice one would use on a frightened animal.
The stranger inclined his head slightly. Whether or not it was in confirmation, Pidge couldn't be sure.
"Where is your companion? Olia?" Shiro asked.
Blade's hand came up from his middle to press against his head. "I… I'm not sure."
Pidge's eyes widened, while Shiro gave a terse command, "Hunk, Lance, we found on of the rebels, but the other is still missing."
"Are you okay?" Pidge asked Blade, noticing that he had started to wobble.
"F-fine," he mumbled unconvincingly.
"He must have been in the crash," Shiro said under his breath.
Pidge couldn't figure out why Shiro sounded so sad, then it clicked. If Blade had been in the crash, but didn't know where Olia was…
Red rumbled and shifted forward. Blade yelped at the movement and leaped away. As he did, he whipped out a familiar-looking knife and the cloak hood fell away.
Shiro made a choking sound. Pidge felt like her breath was stolen away as her legs went wobbly.
Keith glared up at Red without a hint of recognition in his gaze. He steadily backed away as Red moved her head closer. He accidentally backed into Shiro, who snapped out of his daze.
"Keith?"
There was a series of gasps over the coms. Hunk sounded like he was about to be sick, and from the way Lance was coughing, Pidge suspected he must have inhaled some spit or something.
Keith turned his head to Shiro and frowned at him. "Do I.. know you?"
Shiro yanked off his helmet, a desperate light in his eyes. "Keith, it's me! Shiro!"
Keith stared at Shiro for a moment with detached confusion. Then, in a blink, his expression changed. A delighted smile spread across his face and his eyes lit up.
"Shiro, I've been looking everywhere!"
Shiro smiled and was about to reply, when Keith abruptly lifted his arms and grabbed in Shiro in an unexpected hug. Shiro grunted from the force of it.
Pidge blinked. Keith wasn't much of a hugger at any time. And whenever he did, he was so careful about it that you almost couldn't feel the hug. But now, he was holding Shiro like a lifeline, making Pidge wonder what had happened in the last two weeks for him. She took off her helmet to get a better look at her friend.
Keith's gaze found her. His smile grew, which Pidge hadn't realized was even possible. She smiled back, but his next words made her stiffen.
"Matt, when did you get here?"
"I'm not-" Pidge stopped when she noticed Shiro shaking his head over Keith's head. She sighed and finished, "I mean... not long."
"Wait, Matt, too?" Lance's voice came from the coms.
Pidge quickly turned away to whisper to the absent members, "No, Keith is confused and mistaking me for Matt. I think he might still be in shock."
Pidge turned back to the others as Keith suddenly broke off the hug. He turned his head in the direction of the smoke, a frown creasing his brow.
"Matt, did you see the Clunker on your way here? Olia was going to use it as a decoy, but she couldn't get out in time."
"The… the others are checking it out," Pidge said, deciding to leave who the "others" were to Keith's out of order mind.
Keith nodded, satisfied with the answer. "I was headed there myself, but then that-" Keith glared at Red, "came out of nowhere."
Pidge couldn't help but stare. How could Keith remember Shiro and Olia, but not Red? Not to mention the fact he still thought she was Matt!
"Let's just, uh… get back to the Castle," Shiro said, obviously as confused as Pidge. "We'll explain everything there."
Keith frowned and resisted Shiro's attempt to tug him over to Green. His eyes took on the baffled cloudiness Pidge had noticed when the hood first fell off.
"We need to go get Olia," Keith said.
"The others have it taken care of," Pidge said, silently willing Lance and Hunk to remain quiet.
"No, I have to go check on her," Keith insisted.
"Keith," Shiro said with a sigh.
In the next moment, there was a sharp gasp over the coms. Keith flinched at the sound, jerking his arm free of Shiro.
"What is it?" Keith asked, staring at Shiro's helmet.
"Nothing," Hunk piped in, too quickly.
"That's it, I'm going," Keith said, stalking away.
"No, no! Leave it to Lance and I. The ship's totaled, but-"
"Hunk!" Pidge hissed as Keith froze.
"There… there was time for her to get out, right?" Hunk said weakly.
Pidge ran to Keith's side, ignoring Hunk. She was concerned by the disturbed gleam in his eyes.
"It'll be fine," Pidge tried to assure Keith. "Come on. Hunk and Lance have it taken care of."
Pidge put a hand on Keith's arm, but he jerked away. His frame wobbled, and Shiro came up to steady him.
"I can't," Keith mumbled.
"Can't what?" Shiro asked, drawing Keith's arm over his shoulders.
"I need to check for myself," Keith answered.
"Keith-" Pidge started, but stopped herself when Keith whipped his gaze to her.
"Matt, what if it was Katie?!"
Pidge flinched, inhaling sharply. Shiro looked at her in confusion, which turned to realization when Hunk spoke up.
"Who's Katie?"
"Matt's girlfriend in the picture you found," Lance said with a laugh that sounded slightly forced.
Shiro frowned. "Pidge, you never told the others your real name?"
"Wait, I thought Pidge's name was Pidge?" Hunk said, confused.
"I never did," Pidge choked out.
"And I didn't mention it…"
Shiro and Pidge looked at Keith, whose eyes had become distant. He frowned and lowered his head briefly, before meeting Pidge's gaze.
"Pidge… she's gone." Keith's face contorted. "Olia's gone, isn't she?"
"W-we can't give up hope," Pidge stammered, confused by Keith's sudden clarity of who she was. "She could still have gotten clear in time."
Keith shook his head, his eyes abruptly clearing to an almost feverish brightness. He pulled himself away from Shiro and turned to take two steady steps toward Red.
And then he collapsed.
Before Keith had even hit the ground, Red let out a massive roar that shook the stone columns. She lunged upright to put her open mouth beside her motionless paladin as Shiro and Pidge rushed over.
"Red will get us to the Castle the fastest," Shiro said.
Shiro handed off his helmet to Pidge, then scooped up Keith. The boy stirred, opening his too-bright eyes once again.
"Sh-shiro?"
Shiro shushed him as he hurried into Red's mouth. Pidge stood to follow, then a gleam in the grass caught her eye. Keith's Marmoran blade had fallen from his grasp.
"Pidge!" Shiro called.
Pidge grabbed the knife and darted into Red's mouth with Shiro and Keith. Red's mouth closed, then there was a brief sinking sensation as Red launched into the air. Shiro gently laid Keith across his lap, and began to feel his limbs and head. Pidge knelt beside them.
"I-I'm sorry," Keith whispered.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Shiro grimaced as he checked Keith's head. "You've got some bump back here. Just lay still until we get you into a cryo-pod. Coran?"
"Already prepping one," Coran said in an unusually terse tone.
"I… a-abandoned the… t-team," Keith went on as if he hadn't heard Shiro.
"I don't know what happened this last two weeks, but I'm sure it isn't your fault," Shiro said.
Keith sighed, eyes drooping. Pidge watched him worriedly. This wasn't just shock anymore; something was really wrong with Keith. She opened her mouth to tell Shiro her concerns, then saw her own fear in his eyes.
Suddenly, Keith tensed. His eyes squeezed shut as he let out a groan of pain. A rumble ran through Red at the sound.
"Keith? Keith, talk to me," Shiro said, hurriedly leaning forward. "What hurts?"
"M-my head," Keith mumbled. "H-hit it."
Shiro touched the back of Keith's head, making him yelp.
"Sorry!"
Keith softly shook his head, he reached up with his left hand -he had barely used the right one since they found him- and grabbed Shiro's hand. Shiro wrapped his other hand around Keith's and squeezed it, while Pidge put her free hand on his shoulder.
"Everything will be fine," Shiro whispered, an undertone of desperation in his voice.
Keith gave a smile, but Pidge frowned. Was it her imagination, or had Keith gotten significantly paler in the last minute?
Time seemed to slow as Keith's eyes slipped shut. Shiro whispered his name, giving his arm a gentle shake. But Keith was unresponsive.
Then everything sped into a blur.
Shiro was shouting, Red was shaking, and Keith wasn't moving. Pidge's hand formed a fist as she stared at him intently, watching each weak rise and fall of his chest. One thought pounded over and over in her mind as she squeezed the handle of his blade.
Don't let him die.
A/N: Hunk's response to Pidge's real name is based on his commentary in the Paladin Handbook.
Believe it or not, I'm not just being dramatic with Keith. He's hit his head quite a few times by now... I did my best with the symptoms.
Over 8,000 views! I love you guys!
