Chapter – 32 Fight!

I don't own Voltron Legendary Defender. I'm taking the characters out for a spin.

Everyone was gathered in the cargo hold of the Black Lion. Hunk gazed at Allura. "Is he gonna be okay?"

Allura replied as she gazed down at the healing pod. "Only time will tell if this body will accept Shiro's consciousness."

Lance gazed behind him at Adam, who lay on a cot behind him and Allura. He turned to look back at the Princess. "Is there anything we can do to help?"

Pidge frowned. "I've tried contacting the Voltron Coalition, but I can't get through to anyone. It doesn't make any sense. There might be some distortions I'm not picking up on. Maybe we need to get into the upper atmosphere for a better signal."

Hunk gazed over at Pidge. "The lions aren't going anywhere without recharging their power cores."

Allura gazed at the healing pod. "The battle with Lotor severely depleted them. If we had the Castle of Lions, we could recharge them, but—" her voice trailed off as she gazed at Coran.

Pidge asked, "Is there another way to recharge them?"

Coran folded his arms across his body. "They can recharge naturally given enough time and ambient energy- but that might take phoebs."

Keith raised his gaze from the healing pod to Allura. "There's got to be something we can do."

Coran tapped his fingers on his arm. "We are on the Dalterian Belt, home to the element faunatonium. We may be able to use it as a temporary solution."

Lance turned his head to gaze at Coran. "Faunatonium? How will that charge the power cores?"

Coran placed his hands on his hips. "Well, you see, it involves gluon field fluctuations—"

Lance cut him off. "You know what? Never mind. Magic or something? Sure."

Coran's eyes brightened. "Your not far off. We're going to use the element to expand the energy particles within the cores. But first, we need a yalmor."

Hunk's eyes grew. "Wait, there are yalmors on this planet?"

Coran turned to Hunk. "How you think we find the faunatonium? Yalmors have a nose for the stuff."

Keith made his decision. "Okay. You guys find a yalmor and get this faunatonium. I'll stay with Shiro."

Allura gazed at Keith. "I'll stay as well. I may have exhausted the limits of what I learned on Oriande, but I still might be able to help in some way."

Coran turned as he spoke, "All right, then, we'll get started."

Romelle held her hands together in front of her body as she tried to wrap her head around this new concept. "Wait, you just fought Lotor, defeated him, stopped an explosion that could have destroyed reality, took your friends consciousness from the Black Lion of Voltron, and put it inside his clone, and now we're simply moving on?"

Hunk replied, "Trust me. I'm always saying the same thing, but these guys like to move on."

Romelle shook her head. But she hurried after the others as they began leaving the Black Lion.

Allura gazed at the Black Paladin. "He's going to be okay, Keith."

Keith raised his head to gaze at her across the healing pod. "I hope so." He lowered his head to look back down toward Shiro. "You can't imagine all he's done for me."

Adam smiled as he gazed up at the ceiling of the cargo bay inside the Black Lion. He knew everything that Takashi had done for Keith. Those two made up his world, and he didn't want to lose either of them.

Adam didn't realize he'd dozed off until Allura's voice brought him to awareness. "His levels are getting dangerously low."

Keith leaned over the pod. "Fight. I won't give up on you."

Adam nodded with Keith's words. "You better fight, Takashi," he mumbled to himself. "I can't lose you again."

Allura frowned as she gazed down at the pod. "I'm afraid the clone body is rejecting Shiro's consciousness."

Keith turned his gaze up to Allura. "There must be some way you can help!"

Allura closed her eyes. "There's nothing I can do."

Adam groaned as he started to sit up from the cot.

Allura spun around, "Adam, you need to rest."

Adam shook his head, "That's all I've been doing." He reached his hand out to her. Help me up."

Allura sighed. "I do this under protest." She grabbed his hand and pulled him up to his feet.

Adam groaned, but he moved to stand beside the healing pod. He placed his hands on it, hoping Takashi would know he was there too.

Keith slammed his fist down on the surface. "Shiro, please. Fight!"

Adam gazed down at Shiro. "Takashi!" he yelled. "Come back to me. I need you, Takashi, please."

Keith sobbed. "You can't do this to me again. You can't do this to Adam. We need you!"

The humanoid symbol glowed yellow as the lid disappeared. Shiro coughed several times.

Keith leaned over the pod. "Shiro!"

Shiro opened his eyelids, focusing on the Black Paladin. "Keith? I was dreaming." He swallowed. "Keith-you saved me."

Keith grabbed Shiro into a hug. "We saved each other."

As Keith released Shiro, Adam grabbed him and ignored the pain from his abdomen. "Amor, I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, koishiteru." Shiro pulled back and gazed at Adam. "What happened? You have a beard."

"It's a long story."

The door slid open as both Keith and Adam helped Shiro sit up. Lance grinned. "Shiro's looking better. All right!"

Keith asked, "Where were you guys? We couldn't get ahold of you."

Lance rubbed at the back of his head. "Well, we were shrunk by a magic skunk, but we ended up using that sparkly dust to unshrink ourselves. So, ready to charge up the lions?"

Shiro sighed and chuckled. "It's good to be back."

Hunk glanced around at everyone. "If I don't see another yalmor, I'll be happy. Those things are ugly with their three beady eyes."

Pidge shrugged. "I don't know. I thought they cute in a creepy sort of way. Kinda like you, Lance."

Lance glared at her.

"Well, I can't tease Shiro. He just literally returned from the dead, and Adam is out of the question, so that leaves you." Pidge punched Lance in the arm and squeezed her way past Coran and Romelle as her laughter reached them all.

Thace snorted and then burst out in laughter, followed by the others.

Lance gazed the way Pidge had run. "Ha-ha! Very funny, Pidge!"

Adam wiped at his eyes. "Yes, it is. But I think some air would do us some good while Coran does whatever with the faunatonium on the lions."

Shiro smiled as he turned his gaze to Adam. "I think I could use a change of scenery."

Keith and Adam helped Shiro out of the pod. Adam groaned at the pressure on his abdomen but ignored the glances from the others.

Hunk grinned, "Yeah, and we can all use something to eat."

Allura, Hunk, and Lance, with the help of Thace, Romelle, and Krolia, removed some boxes from the lions. Hunk set up a fire and set to work on the food.

Shiro sat on one of the boxes with Adam beside him. Shiro's eyes collected moisture as he remembered nearly touching that sword that had sprouted from his Galra arm to Keith's face. He looked at the younger man. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that to you." He brushed his hand against Keith's cheek. "You should hate me."

Keith reached up and grabbed Shiro's hand. "That wasn't you at all. That was the clone."

Shiro sighed. "I'm having problems separating my memories from the clones."

He turned his head and gazed at Adam as a tear sprang to life and ran down his cheek. "You should hate me most of all." He pressed his hand to the bandage that was showing a little blood. "I hurt you so much and ignored you."

Adam reached out and using his thumbs. He wiped away Shiro's tears. "Listen to me, Takashi Shirogane. That wasn't you, that was the clone. Everyone here understands that. You should too. I love you, and when we get back to Earth, I will be happy to spend the rest of my life with you." He gripped the back of Shiro's head with his hand as he rested the other on Shiro's opposite cheek. He leaned in and pressed his lips to Shiro's.

Shiro's response to Adam was timid at first but grew as they both deepened the kiss. They pulled apart abruptly when they heard whistling and looked up to see Pidge and Lance doing the whistling.

Adam chuckled as he pressed his forehead against Shiro's. "They are a bad influence on each other."

Shiro chuckled. "He's your cousin."

Adam sighed. "I know, but I can't do anything about it right now."

Hunk appeared with a few of the floating trays from the Castle with him. "I made some soup for us all. I figured Shiro could use some kind of comfort food." He brought over the floating tray. "I've also set up this tray for your personal use to compensate for the other arm."

Shiro smiled up at Hunk. "Thanks, Hunk."

Adam nodded. "Yeah, Hunk is a gem."

Hunk blinked, "Oh, Yeah." He spun around and raced over to Coran. "I made you something." He pulled out the diamond of what was left of the Castle of Lions that was fixed to a chain. "I thought you might like to have it since this is all that's left of your grandfathers ship."

Coran took the chain and sniffed as he wiped a gloved finger to his eye. "Thank you, Hunk."

Pidge walked up to the crate where both Shiro and Adam sat. She leaned up against the corner as Shiro turned his gaze to her. "Were you able to contact Earth?"

Pidge frowned as she gazed down at the ground. "No luck. The low power levels are probably affecting our broadcast distance. I'll keep trying as we head for Earth."

Lance's eyes lost focus. "I can't believe we're finally going home."

Hunk smiled as he wrapped his arms around himself and hugged. "I'm gonna hug my parents and never let go."

Pidge smiled. "I can't wait to see how Dad integrated Altean and Earth technologies." Her voice grew in excitement. "I bet he came up with something amazing. And my mom—" realization hit her as her enthusiasm fell. "Oh, she's gonna be so mad at me for running away. I hope I'm not grounded."

Adam smiled at her. "I'm sure it won't be that bad."

Pidge shook her head. "You don't know my mom."

Keith turned his gaze toward Allura and Coran. "How long do you think it'll take us to get home?"

Coran held up his hands as he counted on his fingers. "I was just calculating that now. Without the luxury of a wormhole and with diminished power cores. It's gonna take us approximately one hundred and fifty thousand years."

Everyone gasped.

Keith stared at Coran. "A hundred and fifty thousand years?"

Pidge shook her head. "Coran, I think your finger counting is a little off. It's gonna be one and a half years."

Coran's cheeks flushed a little pink. "Oh right, I didn't carry the three."

Allura gazed down at the ground. "It's going to be a very long and difficult voyage, but it's our only chance to replace the Castle of Lions."

A slight breeze blew and ruffled through Shiro's bangs. He gazed down at the ground. "There were times when I thought I'd never see Earth again. To be able to go back, it seems like a dream."

Adam placed his arm around Shiro's shoulders. "It's okay now. We're going home together."

Shiro raised his head and gazed into Adam's eyes. He leaned forward, and the moment was broken as Lance jumped ahead. "Well, what are we waiting for, guys? Let's hit the space road."

Krolia leaned against a crate. "I suppose we need to figure out who's flying with whom."

Adam gazed around at the others. "Wherever Takashi goes, I go. He still needs time to get reacquainted with his new body."

Shiro blinked at Adam. A slow smile pulled at his lips. "I agree with that."

Coran gazed around at the others. "And what about the animals?"

Pidge asked, "What about them?"

"Well, the wolf can't go with Kaltenecker, wolves eat cows. And the cow can't be in the same area as mice because aren't cows afraid of mice?"

Lance shook his head. "No, elephants are afraid of mice."

Adam groaned as he smacked a hand to his face. "Not another Lance explanation."

Shiro gazed at Adam. "Lance explanation?"

Adam nodded. "Pidge found Matt and brought him back, and Hunk made milkshakes to celebrate. Well, Allura and Coran wanted another one and thought that Kaltenecker made the milk, and well, Lance explained the reasons why Kaltenecker wasn't able to make milkshakes. Let's say it was a huge culture shock for the Alteans."

Shiro chuckled. "I wish I'd been there to see it."

Adam shook his head. "No, you don't. That was a shallow point for me. Truthfully, after you," he couldn't bring himself to say the word died. "I was barely functioning."

Shiro's voice cracked, "I'm sorry."

Adam shook his head. "No, that wasn't your fault. I found other ways to cope. Though the clone looked and acted so much like you, it pretty much avoided me, and if it had been smart, it wouldn't have."

Shiro nodded. "It's a good thing. At least you looked out for the team."

Adam leaned his head over and placed it on Shiro's shoulder. "Someone had to." He straightened up, "But you still have the title of Space Dad."

Shiro blinked. "Huh?"

Adam waved a hand in the air. "I'll explain it later." He turned his attention back to Lance, who'd finished his explanation of elephants.

Allura frowned. "Giants with long grabbing noses? Earth seems so weird."

Adam sighed as he shook his head. "That's not right, and you know it, Lance."

"And I suppose you could do better?"

Adam ignored his cousin's comment. "An Elephant is a four-legged animal. They do use their noses called trunks to grab things with, but that's for foraging for food and using it to bring water up to their mouths. Since they are one of the largest land animals on Earth. They also live in family groups called herds."

Allura smiled at Adam. "Thank you for clearing that up."

Lance leaned over to his cousin as he lowered his voice. "You know I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with Shiro earlier, space daddy."

Adam's eyes flashed as he rose, but he placed a hand to his abdomen as he dropped back down on the crate and groaned. He moved his hand away but pulled the garrison coat over the bandage to try to hide the fact that he was bleeding more profusely.

Keith said, "The wolf is riding with me, but that means Hunk will have to take the cow."

Hunk shook his head. "Me with the cow? Not a good idea."

Lance replied, "Hunk's right. Keith, you're keeping the cow. Someone else is gonna have to take the wolf."

The Paladins began to argue when Lance replied, "Guys, you're all overthinking this. I know exactly where everyone should go."

The others packed up camp as Adam helped Shiro back into the Black Lion. He knew Shiro was tired and helped ease him down on the cot. He clamped his jaws together to keep the sound of the pain he was in from escaping. As he straightened up, the pain hit him in the back of the head. "Ow!" he yelled as he rubbed a hand to the back of his head and turned around to face Krolia.

"You didn't think I was watching you. I knew you'd overdo it."

Thace chuckled from behind her as he set up a second cot next to Shiro's. "Now, you won't have any excuses for being up and about."

She pointed down at the cot. "I need for you to lay down so I can take care of you again. I said Keith wouldn't like it if I let you die, and I'm certain Shiro wouldn't either."

Shiro cringed at her choice of words, but he gazed at Adam. "No, I wouldn't."

Thace removed Adam's Garrison coat. He gazed at the blood-soaked bandages. "You were right again, Krolia."

She nodded as sadness appeared in her eyes. "Keith's father was the same. Selfless to a fault. Keith told me he died a hero." She gazed down at Shiro. "Sorry about that."

"I understand. It's sort of hard for me to accept too."

Adam lay down on the cot.

Krolia leaned over him. "I'm hoping that this time the wound is healed better."

Coran appeared in the Cargo hold. "If I might suggest that you try this. I hadn't thought of this before until we were packing up the Castle. It's a dissolvable ball that goes inside the wound where it activates and helps to heal it from the inside." He passed it over to her.

"Thank you, Coran. I was worried about it not healing from the inside."

"That is a rather gruesome prognosis." He turned his gaze to Adam. "For it to work, since the Black Lion doesn't have enough energy in its power core to run the healing pod we brought, you'll need to stay still."

Shiro winked at Adam. "I think he'll stay still now."

Krolia rolled her eyes but smirked as she turned away. "Lovebirds."

Shiro mumbled in his sleep, Adam woke and gazed over at him. He recognized the next noise that came from the man's mouth. Shiro jerked as his face changed into one of pain, and his breathing increased as if in a blind panic.

Adam reached out and ran his hand through Shiro's hair. "Shh," he whispered. "You're having a nightmare." He continued to run his hand through Shiro's hair. "Your safe Takashi, remember your safe."

Shiro's breathing evened out as he fell into a deeper, more restful sleep.

Shiro woke to find Adam staring at him. He rubbed his hand over his face. "What did I drool in my sleep or something?"

Adam shook his head as he smiled at Shiro. "No, I was looking at your hair."

"Please don't tell me you're going to start with the old man jokes?"

"No," Adam propped himself up on his elbow. "Not at all." He cocked his head at Shiro before a slight smile began to pull at his lips. "I think I like this new you. At least you don't look like a skunk anymore."

"Adam—"

Adam leaned in and cut off his complaint as he kissed Shiro. As they separated, Adam's eyebrow rose. "You were saying?"

"I forgot."

A couple of quintants passed until Krolia knelt by the cots and checked Adam's abdominal wound. "You're healed."

Shiro smiled at her. "I knew he was itching to get out of bed."

"I'm sure Keith will be glad to see the both of you up and around, especially you, Shiro."

Shiro frowned as he sat up, and sadness passed over his face. "I'm sorry for hurting him. I-I'm still trying to process the clone's memories, and it's hard to get past the instances where I hurt-the clone hurt the team."

Krolia placed her hands on the former Black Paladin's shoulders and gazed into his eyes. "I know this is hard for you. That's why you can take the time during this voyage to heal."

Shiro nodded. "I think I need some air."

"We're still flying. But we've had to make one stop already and transfer some passengers."

Adam chuckled. "I knew Lance's plan was all wrong."

Krolia nodded. "Yeah, Coran got on our nerves singing the Altean Alphabet."

Adam changed into his armor and stepped into the cockpit of the Black Lion with Shiro beside him.

Keith craned his head around. "It's good to see you both up and around again."

Shiro nodded. "It's good to be back."

A signal started beeping on the screen of the Black Lion, gaining everyone's attention. Krolia gazed at the screen. "This is the Klii-Nyn System. There's a Blade of Marmora rally point located on a moon here. We should check in with them and get an update on their operations."

Keith opened communications with the other lions. "Team, we're going to make a quick stop. Everyone follow me."

As they neared the moon, Krolia opened the communications channel for the base. "Hailing Zilox Station. Please Respond. Repeat Zilox Station, please respond."

The lions landed, and only the Paladins, Krolia, and Thace left to investigate the base.

Adam caught Shiro's expression as he glanced around the cockpit of the Black Lion. Shiro reached up and brushed his hand across the roof, but his face fell even more.

"Takashi, what's wrong?"

Shiro gazed at Adam. "I can't hear him anymore." A tear raced it's way down his cheek.

You can't hear who?"

"The Black Lion. I'm cut off from him. It's almost like being deaf or losing a limb." Shiro dropped down as he lowered his head and began to cry.

Adam wrapped his arms around the man he loved and rocked him back and forth. "It's okay, Takashi. It's okay." He held on tight and let Shiro cry himself out.

Coran's voice came over the Black Lion's communication system that was also linked to the Paladins helmet comms. "Enemy ship coming in!"

Shiro sucked in a shaky breath as he wiped at his eyes with his hand. He pulled away as he turned his red-rimmed dark gray eyes up to Adams. His voice cracked. "Thank you."

A gentle smile pulled at Adam's lips. "I'm here for you whenever you need me. Always."

The Paladins, along with Thace and Krolia, returned to their lions. Keith dropped down into his seat in the Black Lion's cockpit. If Krolia or Keith noticed Shiro's tear-stained face, neither said anything.

As the lions flew away from the moon, Keith gazed at his scanner. "It looks like a small fleet. Mostly Galra fighters."

Lance replied, "That's good. We should be able to take them out pretty easily."

Pidge said, "Yeah, but remember, we're not flying at full power."

Keith replied, "Pidge is right. Everyone stay sharp."

Adam leaned over to Shiro, "You taught him well."

"I guess I did."

Lance said, "Keep an eye out. Where there are fighters, there's usually a cruiser nearby."

Shiro leaned over to Adam. "Lance has grown to be a good right hand of Voltron."

Adam nodded, "Yes, but he's also still Lance."

Shiro chuckled, and he gazed into Adam's eyes. "He wouldn't be Lance if he changed completely."

Adam groaned. "Don't I know it."

As the paladins tried to evade the fighters, Keith said, "We need to get out of here."

Hunk said, "Guys, they got me. I can't move."

Keith replied, "Hang on, Hunk. I'm gonna get you out of there."

Shiro and Adam found themselves pressed against the wall of the cockpit as Keith increased the speed of the lion. They were both surprised to find Coran there as well. The last they knew, Coran was in the Green Lion with Pidge and Romelle.

Hunk replied, "Thanks, Keith."

Lance said, "We're getting our quiznacks handed to us. We need to do something. We need to form Voltron."

Keith replied. "Okay. Everyone in formation."

Lance said, "It's not working."

Allura yelled, "The Lions can't take much more of this."

Keith yelled, "Abort."

Lance said, "What the heck just happened?"

Pidge replied, "I'm guessing the lions didn't have enough power to form Voltron."

Hunk asked, "So now what?"

Keith replied, "We run."

The lions began running into something explosive, but the paladins couldn't see what it was.

Lance asked, "Is everyone okay?"

Pidge and Allura both replied to the affirmative. Hunk asked, "What did we hit?"

Coran pressed a button, and a display appeared on one of the Black Lion's control panels. "Xanthorium crystals. They've been cloaked."

Hunk said, "I've never seen the Galra use weapons like these before."

Allura replied, "And they're not using standard Galra battle formations."

Hunk asked, "How are we going to get away?"

Keith said, "They're trying to trap us by chasing us through this tunnel of crystals."

Pidge replied, "He's right. Look, there are more crystals ahead."

Hunk said, "They're corralling us like we're space cattle."

Lance replied, "They backed us in a corner."

Keith said, "We have no choice. Everyone into the cyclone. Hunk, that means you and I are gonna have to punch a hole through the storm and create a path for the team. You ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Adam wrapped an arm around Shiro's waist while he gripped the back of Keith's chair.

Lance said, "Guys, we can't take much more of this."

Keith replied, "Everyone scan the area for anything we can use for cover. We need to go somewhere where we have the advantage."

Pidge said, "There's a volcanic ice planet nearby. It has geysers, steam vents, ice tunnels, extreme changes in temperature, and an unstable core. It's super dangerous. It's perfect."

Keith nodded. "Okay, team, let's do this. All right, everybody, stay in formation and follow me."

Hunk yelled, "Geyser, Geyser!"

Adam swallowed hard as Keith guided the Black Lion through the water coming from the geysers.

Shiro leaned forward. "Watch out for the falling ice."

Keith said, "A cave. That gives me an idea. Lance, bring up the rear. When everyone's through the tunnel, fire above the cave opening. Red should be fast enough to get in before the avalanche completely blocks the way."

Adam's eyes grew. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He tried to swallow but found his mouth was parched.

Lance said, "Roger, that, team leader."

Keith replied, "We'll see each other on the other side."

Adam closed his eyelids. He opened them when Lance said, "Uh-oh! Some of them made it through."

Keith replied, "Split up. We need to thin our attackers."

Shiro gazed at the screen as an alarm beeped. "There's someone on the Black Lion. He's trying to break in. I'll take care of him."

Krolia shook her head. "No, you're still recovering. I'll do it!"

Adam tightened his grip on Shiro's waist.

Shiro frowned as his eyes shifted between Adam and Krolia. He sighed. "All right."

Adam whispered. "She's right."

As Krolia turned to leave, Keith yelled, "Wait!"

He pulled out his knife. "Take this!"

Krolia took the knife and ran past Coran, who chased after her. "I'll help."

Keith grunted. "Hang on!" She spun the Black Lion, which crashed into some ice, but he powered the lion through the obstacle.

As Krolia returned, Keith asked, "Is everyone okay?"

Hunk said, "Clear."

Allura replied, "Me too, thanks to Romelle."

Lance's voice rose, "Well, Pidge and I need help."

"Yeah, we can't shake these guys, and we don't have any room to maneuver."

Keith replied, "I see your location. We're headed your way."

Pidge's voice came through a few minutes later. "I think the wolf saved us."

The Lions flew out of the cave but were slammed down against the ground by a repulsor beam.

Adam stood next to Shiro in the cell. "I know your tired Takashi. You can lean on me."

Shiro shook his head. "I'm fine."

Adam sighed. "You're not fine. I can see it in your eyes."

Keith stood in the opposite corner. He glanced up at Shiro. "Adam's right, you know."

Shiro frowned. "How can I get better if I don't force myself?"

Allura gazed up at him from her place on the floor. "You need to conserve your strength for when we do get out of here."

Lance pressed his head against the wall. "I'm working on that."

Hunk whispered from where he sat between Pidge and Allura. "What are you doing?"

"I'm feeling for a secret passage."

Keith looked up. "You've watched too many movies, Lance. There's no secret passage."

Lance frowned as he glared at the Black Paladin.

Krolia glanced back at the others. "Only one guard is patrolling out there. If we can get this door open, we can overpower him."

Hunk blinked as he looked around. "What happened to Coran?"

Krolia turned her gaze to the Yellow Paladin. "He must have managed to hide when we were captured."

Allura gazed at Krolia. "At least we have one ally out there still able to fight for us."

Pidge turned her head to gaze past Hunk at Allura. "Are you saying our fate rests in Coran's hands?" She turned her head to stare at Lance. "I will help you look for that passage."

Krolia listened and turned to the others. "Someone's coming, move away from the door."

Thace stared at his sister. "But you just said—"

"I know what I did, but it sounds like four or five are coming."

Lance moved over by Adam and Shiro as Thace positioned himself by Allura, and Krolia stood near Keith.

The door unlocked, and two guards entered the cell. The paladins' eyes grew to see who followed the guards.

Ezor smiled. "Look who's here. It's Voltron."

Zethrid punched her fist into the open palm of her hand. "We're going to have a little chat."

Lance gazed at them before he remembered who they were. "Hey, you're the guys Lotor shot into space."

Pidge glared at them. "And the ones that were trying to kill us."

Hunk nodded. "Yeah, sure, but we're all friends now, right? I, for one, am glad you survived."

Shiro frowned as he struggled with memories that weren't his own. He leaned over to Adam and whispered, "Who are they, and who's Lotor?"

"Lotor was Zarkon's son, and they were two of his generals."

Ezor smiled back at him. "I'm glad you survived, too." She leaned over him. "It's no fun torturing a corpse."

Hunk's face fell. "Oh. So maybe not?"

Zethrid glared at them with her one good eye. "Where have you been all this time? And happened to Lotor?"

Shiro gazed at the pair of half-Galran females. "What are you talking about?"

Ezor replied. "We're talking about your little disappearing act."

Zethrid glared. "Answer the question! How did you survive the explosion?"

Hunk gazed up at her. "Don't you know? You were there?"

Ezor placed her hands on her hips. "I think there's a little confusion about how we ask questions. You give us answers, scenario works."

Zethrid balled her hands into fists at her sides. "Enough of your games. Where is Lotor?"

Keith glared back at her. "Lotor's dead. We left him in the Quintessence Field."

Ezor shook her head. "Yeah, that doesn't add up. Why aren't you dead?"

Hunk shrugged. "Because of the power of teamwork?"

Zethrid glared. "I'm going to ask you one more time, and then we're going to have to take a more extreme approach."

Ezor grinned as she cocked her head. "The fun part."

Zethrid stared at them. "I'm tired of asking the same question over and over again. What happened to Lotor, and where have you been all this time?" She sighed. "Fine. Since you insist on maintaining this charade of ignorance, you leave us no choice but to apply pressure."

Ezor laughed. "Finally. Who's our first victim?"

Zethrid pointed at Pidge. "You. I'd bet half my fleet this group of heroes has a soft spot for the small one."

Ezor walked forward when Lance charged. "Don't you touch her!" Ezor kicked out, knocking the Red Paladin to the floor.

One of the guards pointed his weapon at Lance. Zethrid snorted. "Your defiance is adorable and so very misguided."

Pidge glared at them. "Leave us alone."

Ezor stepped forward one more step as Adam, Shiro, and Thace stepped forward to try to stop her from grabbing the smallest Paladin. "You were right, Zethrid. They do have a soft spot for this one. But you won't stop us." She swung her head, and the tentacle at the back of her head reached out and grabbed the Green Paladin.

Hunk yelled, "Pidge."

Ezor held the human up in the air by the top of her chest armor.

Keith yelled, "Let her go!"

Zethrid glared at him. "Tell us what we want to know!"

Ezor slammed Pidge into the wall. The back of her head impacted with the metal surface as Ezor's eyes narrowed. "Answers!"

Keith replied, "We told you, he's—"

An explosion rocked the ship as alarms blared.

Ezor dropped Pidge as she along with Zethrid, and the two guards ran out of the cell.

Adam hovered over Pidge. He did his best to check her over with his wrists cuffed together in front of him. "I think you'll be okay, but you're going to have a headache. How do you feel?"

"Like I want to kick the shit out of them."

Shiro heard her. "Pidge," he sighed.

As Pidge stood up, she gazed at him. "What? Don't tell me you haven't thought about it before."

Shiro nodded. "Yeah, I have. But I never gave voice to my desires."

Pidge put her hand on her hip. "Well, I'm not you." She stuck her tongue out at him.

Adam sighed, but he turned his head as everyone heard noises and a scream from outside the door. The door slid open, and they found the mice sitting on the incapacitated guard laid out of the deck.

They squeaked up at everyone.

Allura knelt by them. "Hello, little friends."

The mice squeaked up at her.

"What? Where?"

Hunk asked, "What? What are they saying?"

"Coran's trying to rescue us. And he's got help. Acxa."

Keith gazed down at her. "What?"

The mice squeaked again, and Platt held up the key to their cuffs. He freed Allura, who, in turn, released everyone else.

They found Coran and Allura used her power to grow in size and punch the pirate in the full suit of metal armor in the back of the head, knocking him out.

Lance and Keith helped Coran up to his feet. Keith gazed at the Altean. "Coran, where's Acxa?"

"I don't know. Where am I?"

Shiro asked, "Are you okay?"

Coran tried to focus on him but swayed on his feet. "Never better. Now let's get our belmards and hayards."

Adam gazed at Allura. "I'll check him out once we get off of this ship."

They crept through the ship as a group but found the alcove where their helmets and bayards were being kept in the ship's armory. But they also found two pirates examining their equipment.

Lance sighed. "They have weapons, and we don't. Any suggestions?"

Coran shouted, "Unhand those bayards, you scallywags!"

Keith closed his eyes and concentrated. His bayard appeared in his hand. He jumped up and charged down the hall toward the alcove and made short work of the two guards. He put his helmet on his head. "Lance, lead the way. Keep the team together."

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Acxa saved us. I'm not gonna leave her behind. I'll meet up with you guys soon." He ran off as Lance stared after him.

Adam helped Shiro get his helmet on as Coran and Romelle found and put on a couple of spacesuits. Adam slipped his helmet on and slipped his energy pistol into its holster.

Lance gazed at everyone. "Let's get to the lions and stay together."

They ran down a hall to the airlock. Hunk opened it. They all flew out in space toward the lions, but a group of pirates gave chase firing at them. Lance and Pidge turned to fight back.

Hunk flew up behind one of the pirates and grabbed his scarf and yanked it over the pirate's face. He launched him into the group of pirates and pulled out his bayard and fired it into the group of pirates, causing them to scatter.

Adam turned and fired on a pirate. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye as a pirate flew forward and tackled Shiro. "Takashi!" He aimed carefully, but Shiro struggled to fight off the pirate.

He saw a flash of metal off a blade as the pirate raised his arm above his head. "Takashi!" he screamed as the blade started making a downward plunge.

A bolt of energy zipped past and struck the pirate. Adam turned around, and Lance flashed him a thumbs up.

Adam sighed. "Thanks, Lance."

"It's nothing. Get to Red. Hurry!"

Keith's voice came over the helmets. "Guys! Zero in on my location and fire on the ship."

Allura asked, "Are you sure?"

Keith yelled, "Just do it!"

All four of the lions fired on the ship.

The Black Lion flew forward and sucked Keith and Acxa up.

Hunk stepped into the cave where Acxa was living. He carried an armload of firewood. "I just looked at the lions, and they're in worse shape than ever."

Shiro gazed at her from where he stood next to Adam. "We should probably give them some time to recharge before we head back on our way."

Lance gazed at Acxa. "Wow, a lot of things have changed in the past few weeks."

Acxa sat up straight. "Weeks? What are you talking about?"

Allura gazed at her. "The last time we saw you. You were fighting us alongside Lotor."

"That was three deca-phoebs ago. No one has seen you since your fight with Lotor."

Keith gazed at her. "That's impossible."

"It's true. After Lotor jettisoned us, we managed to make it to a small meteoroid. There we saw both Voltron and Lotor disappear. Eventually, Voltron re-emerged-alone. But then there was an explosion and after that-nothing. That was three deca-phoebs ago."

Lance gazed at her. "Whoa." Adam placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder as the implication of what the former general said struck home.

Allura gazed at her. "So as far as everyone else in the universe is concerned, Voltron has been gone for three deca-phoebs?"

Hunk dropped half his load of firewood as he gaped.

Pidge gazed into the fire. "That explains the discrepancies in the star charts in the lions. I thought they were off because of our inter-dimensional jumping. I guess they were in a way. Because when you think about it, that must have been the cause of the time-slippage between our experience and that of the rest of the universe."

Keith gazed at Acxa. "So, how did you end up here, helping us?"

"Zethrid, Ezor, and I were marooned on the meteoroid for days. Finally, a Galra ship came to investigate Lotor's last known whereabouts. We took it over. With Lotor gone, it was clear that there was a power vacuum in the Galra Empire. Zethrid and Ezor wanted to exploit that for their gain, but I knew I had to find my path. And it led me to you."

Keith replied, "Thank you for saving us."

"I hope that this makes up, in some way, for the wrongs I've done. I realize now that Lotor wasn't the man I thought he was. He preached unity, but in the end, he sought only power."

Allura replied, "I understand how you feel. I fell for Lotor's lies as well."

Thace placed his hand on the Princess's shoulder in support.

Acxa gazed at them. "I'll do everything I can out there to help the Voltron Coalition."

Adam gazed at the others. "I know how you all feel. I feel the same way, but I need someone to keep an eye on Takashi while I set up a cot. He's been through a lot, and even though he's trying to up this stoic front, he's exhausted."

Coran jumped up from his box. "Here, take my seat, Shiro."

Krolia went off and brought back the cot. She set it up to the rear of the cave.

Shiro gazed at Adam. "Would you stop fussing over me?"

"Not on your life."

Pidge chuckled. "Oooh!"

Adam rolled his eyes as he helped Shiro over to the cot. "Rest now," he said as he ran his fingers through Takashi's hair.

Shiro's eyelids closed as he drifted off to sleep as the others continued to murmur amongst themselves.