The tip of Keith's brushed against Pidge's side. They were only waiting for the signal from the others, so there they stood facing each other. Keith had his blade in his hand, his free arm placed on Pidge's shoulder. Pidge held her right hand atop Keith's, her left arm hanging lose by her side.

"Keith," Pidge she said in hopes to give him encouragement. She knew that he could do this.

"Don't" he replied, his eyes not quite meeting hers. He adjusted his grip around the handle sighing.

Behind them was the healing pod, opened and ready to be filled by a new occupant. If everything went according to plan then Pidge would be out in only a few hours.

Having grown accustomed to the silence and the sound of the Air conditioning kicking on; they both jumped from the sound of the radio crackling to life. Reaching to his belt Keith pulled the radio from it just as Allura began to speak.

"Guys were in position. Proceed with phase one."

"Roger that." Keith said before clipping the radio back onto his belt. He returned to his previous position with his hand on her shoulder. He glanced at her. She was looking at him, her face neutral. She gave her a slight nod of her head before closing her eyes.

Taking a deep breath he placed the tip once again against her side. He paused for a second, before making a deep slice. Pidge gripped his hand doing, attempting to muffle her cries of pain as her green and white shirt became a crimson.

Keith dropped his blade and scooped her up, placing her in the pod. Once the pod began the healing process he pulled the radio from his belt.

"She's in the pod. Ready whenever you are."

Nothing.

"Guys? Ready for phase two," he said. He released the button only to be met with static.

Without warning the lights flickered before going out. The only light was the soft blue glow emanating from the pod. Keith searched for his blade, only to accidentally send it sliding across the floor when his foot found it before his hand.

There was a crash and then the lights came back on. He spotted his blade over by the wall and went to retrieve it. When he turned around he was met with Allura, Shiro, and Hunk all passed out on the floor in front of the pod. The pod itself had several cracks running through the glass as if someone threw something at it.

He ran up to the others checking each of their pulses. He was relieved to find all of them with stable breathing. Sound at the door to the medical bay captured his attention. He cautiously made his way over his blade ready to strike at a moments notice.

Just as he was about three feet from the door they opened. Someone hit his chest and before he knew it he was flat on his back. Opening his eyes he found Lance just moaning in pain on his chest. Slowly he sat up allowing Lance to do the same.

Lance was gripping his head smearing the blood the began to decorate his temple and darken pieces of his hair.

"Lance what happened?" Keith asked softly rubbing small circles on the younger boy's back. He had Keith's jacket tied around his waist.

In response Lance simply shook his head. Sucking in a breath of air when his head began pulsing with pain when he tried to stand.

"Easy there," Keith commented as he helped Lance to his feet. Keith led him over to lean against the pod while he went and found some bandages.

He had only turned his back for a few seconds before the door opened again and Lance let out a shriek. A shriek so startling it caused Keith to drop everything he was carrying and run over to see what was going on.

The same creature from before was standing in the doorway a crooked grin on his face. Keith drew his blade his eyes narrowed.

"Glad to finally see us all in one place." the creature said folding his hands together in absolute pleasure.

"Stop right there." Keith growled.

The creature stopped where he was lowering his hands. He frowned his face growing darker as he glared at the red paladin. "I'm going to make that green paladin pay if it's the last thing I do. She thought that she could get away with tricking me, but you should know that I'm too smart for that."

"Not if I have anything to say about it. " Keith said. His entire team was knocked out, except for Lance who was too frozen with fear to do anything at the moment, and Keith wasn't blaming him. This creature was capable of a lot of things, but Keith wasn't going to allow him to be successful with hurting his friends and getting away with it.

"Suit yourself," the creature mumbled before lunging at Keith. Keith dodged just in time for him to fly right past him. The creature then turned and lunged for him again. Keith was about to dodge once again, but he slipped landing on ice that appeared out of nowhere.

The creature then began to land a series of punches to his face and chest before backing off, wanting him to stand up to finish him for good.

Groaning he clambered to his feet, head spinning. He swiped his blade at the creature in attempt to get him to back off. Only he grabbed the blade tearing it from Keith's hand. He gasped as the creature wrapped his hand around his neck and drew him close.

"Check mate." The creature whispered. He then smiled as he tossed Keith into a cabinet that housed all the bandages and gauze as well as the sedatives.

Once he gathered his bearings he looked up to see the creature approaching the pod. He grit his teeth as his blood began to boil. Just in front of him a sedative rolled in front of him ready to use. he grabbed it before rising to his feet.

His body was bruised he can tell that much. He wrapped an arm around his waist as he approached. The creature was too caught up in what he was doing to even notice that Keith was almost on top of him.

Raising his arm he came down. The needle embedded itself in the creatures neck. Keith backed away leaving the syringe in the creatures neck.

The creature froze raising his hand and pulling out the syringe as he turned around to face him. He smirked before tossing it to the side, "Oh you're good." he said his voice showing that he was not impressed, "Just not that good." He began walking towards Keith who was backing away.

Then all at once the creature froze. He dropped to his knees swaying as he glared at Keith. "well done," the creature mumbled as he slipped into unconsciousness. Slowly his body began to melt until all that was left was a puddle of mud.

Keith sank to the floor in relief and pain. He took a deep breath only gasp as pain flooded his rib cage. He sensed someone by his side, he looked up to find Lance kneeling next to him, concern and fear in his eyes.

"I'm fi- ah-shit," He grumbled. He was going to need a healing pod, if he was going to survive this.

Lance helped him to his feet after a lot of grumbling and cursing. Leading him over to another healing pod Lance helped him into it. As soon as the door slid shut he succumbed to sleep.