Open secrets

Life has a way of taking you through twists and turns. I didn't have my parents guiding me when I needed them most. Although I hated Zarkon for taking them away from me, I know that they taught me as much as possible to survive.

And I have. But that doesn't mean I don't need them, especially in the affairs of the heart. I made many mistakes and my mistakes in the past following my heart, and it cost the lives of countless blades.

This time, it could have cost Lance's life. My feelings always seem to get me in trouble. I can't help but think this is my fault.

"What happened to him?!" Allura entered the castle meeting room after seeing Lance in the medbay. Her heart was thumping in her ears so loudly it was deafening. Keith hot on her heels.

"I don't know," Hunk shook his head, wiping his brow. Beads of sweat trickled down his temples from carrying Lance. "He came out of his lion and collapsed."

"We need to find out." Keith retorted. "Mom, we need to take your ship and head over with the rest of the blades now."

"I already notified Kolivan. He's been scanning the moon and discovered that the factory has a lot of activity. The transmission is unclear, but I'm sure we can get a lock on who's roaming around and get answers."

"I knew I should've gone after him," Pidge shouted. "I knew it!"

Hunk rubbed her shoulders. "It's not your fault Pidge." Hunk said reassuringly. "Lance goes off on his own all the time. You're not psychic."

"But I should have known!" Pidge slammed her hands on the table, causing Coran to jump. Her voice cracked under stress.

"Blaming ourselves isn't going to get us anywhere," Keith concluded.

"I've scanned that moon over and over and didn't see anything," Coran said, raking his hair. "I'm not sure why we couldn't get a read."

"Kolivan thinks they have some tech jamming outsiders' ability to track their activities. We could see a little bit of movement, but it looks like the red lion scorched a lot of ground. There's a building that's burned out, but we suspect some went underground."

Allura rubbed her temples. "Pidge, were you able to figure out what those devices were exactly?"

"They were listening devices, except for the device Kira had," Pidge said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We tried to get info from her to no avail."

"Kira?" Allura shrieked. "What did she have to do with this?!"

"I found her snooping by your room with what I thought was a listening device, Allura," Krolia said matter of factly. "When we questioned her, we noticed that she had one of those neck devices. I cut it off her, and she lost consciousness. She's in lockup in a cryo chamber."

"I assume the device looked like this?" Allura pulled a device out of her pocket.

"No, this is a listening device," Pidge stepped in to examine Allura's equipment. "What Kira had was a scrambler. What happened to this?"

"The mice destroyed it." Allura chuckled.

"All right," Hunk exclaimed. "They rock!"

Allura beamed. "They are vital members of the team."

"The thing is," Pidge cut in. "Nothing is kept locally on the devices. The information seems to be transmitted outside of here, but I'm unable to trace it."

"Pidge, may I see the necklace Krolia spoke of?" Allura asked.

Pidge handed it over to Allura, and she held it up for a closer look. "It's quite crude." Allura ran her fingers across it. "It appears that whoever made this knows sorcery and technology well."

"Based on their methods, they aren't as powerful as Honerva." Coran surmised.

"I fear this individual was an apprentice to Honerva." Allura decided. "Which means they're quite dangerous."

"We need to track down who did this," Keith said impatiently. "Now."

"Keith, don't you want to know what you are heading into?" Allura countered.

Keith's eyes fell on Allura, lingering on her longer than he should. Allura felt her cheeks burn under his stare. "It doesn't matter," Keith softened his tone. "We have a threat, Allura, and we need to take care of it."

Allura crossed her arms. "No, it's too risky. Lance is incapacitated, so we cannot form Voltron if we need to. My handmaid has gone mad, and we don't know what other threats lie within the castle. We cannot go outside these walls without a plan of attack."

"Allura, we can always split up," Keith interjected.

"And risk something happening to you?" Allura retorted. "Absolutely Not."

"I'll be fine," Keith said reassuringly.

"You're not invincible, you know." Allura huffed.

"Allura, I think Keith can defend himself," Krolia added. "The rest of the team will be there ready to neutralize threats."

"You make a valid point, Krolia." Allura sighed. "However, I sense we're in immediate danger here. Pidge and Hunk, can you do an audit on the castle to make sure there aren't any additional threats?"

"I tried that." Pidge rubbed her eyes. "I haven't found anything. But then again, I'm tired; I hit a wall. I think I need a break."

"Yeah, the nights here on Arus," Hunk stretched his arms out in a yawn. "They're double compared to earth."

"Oh dear, you're right," Allura said sheepishly. Hunk was rubbing his eyes, Pidge's eyes were puffy, and Coran was leaning back in his chair, his eyes drooping.

Allura rubbed circles in-between her eyebrows. "Maybe we should turn in to get some rest. I'm sure if the castle falls under attack, we can respond. We always do."

"Allura, I agree the team needs to rest, but I don't." Keith folded his arms. "The red lion did substantial damage, and we need to strike before they have a chance to relocate and regroup."

"Keith, while I don't doubt you are-" Keith's eyes bore into Allura, causing her to lose her train of thought. "Ahem, energized, can't Kolivan do this with the rest of the blades?"

Keith sighed. "You all can stay, but I need to go with the team."

"Ever the lone wolf," James said, waltzing in. "Well, not this time, pal. If you roll out tonight, I'm going with you."

Keith grit his teeth. "Sure."

Pidge threw her head back in surprise. "I thought you needed rest?"

"No, I think I got enough," James shot Pidge an icy stare. "Besides, I need some air and space."

"Well," Pidge's lower lip trembled. "I'm going to make myself useful elsewhere. Good night." Pidge stormed off before anyone could stop her.

Sensing the tension between Pidge and James, the group fell into an uncomfortable silence.

"Ahem!" Hunk cleared his throat. "Well, if it's all the same to you, I am getting some shut-eye." He kneaded his neck. "Don't page me unless this place is on fire or someone is dying."

"Of course, Hunk," Allura said, cracking a weak smile.

"I am going to the bridge, on the ready." Coran pressed his hand over his mouth to hide his yawn. "I'll be sharp as a sword after..." Coran trailed off. "After, I get something to drink!"

"Thank you, Coran," The corners of Allura's eyes crinkled. Coran bowed and departed, leaving Keith, Allura, Krolia, and James.

"Keith?" Allura played with the tips of her hair. "Are you sure you want to do this tonight? I would feel much better if you stayed and we figured this out tomorrow."

"Allura, we can't let them get away after what they did to Lance. We may not get another chance. I need to go."

Allura frowned. "Do you have a plan at least?"

"You won't like it," Keith said begrudgingly.

"You're probably right." Allura pouted. "All the more reason why we should hash this out when we've all slept."

"Allura, I'm not arguing about this," Keith said sternly.

"Sounds like you are." James snickered.

Keith shot him a dirty look.

"Don't mind me." James laughed, leaning against the wall.

"Come on, James," Krolia smirked. "Let's get the ship ready before you lose your tongue."

James shook his head and filed out with Krolia, leaving Keith and Allura alone.

"Didn't you see Lance?" Allura paced back and forth. "What if something happened to you?"

"I'll be fine, Allura." Keith took her hands in his and kissed them, awakening the butterflies in her stomach. "You know that."

"It's my fault, you know." Allura hung her head. "I should have investigated."

Keith tilted Allura's face toward his, only to see tears threaten the corners of her eyes. "You had no way of knowing Allura."

The air crackled with electricity. Allura wrapped her arms around Keith's neck, burying her face in his chest. The rhythm of his heart allowed her to release the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"We're patching Lance up already," Allura whispered. Her body shuddered as hot tears streamed down her face. "We don't want to have to do the same for you."

Keith whispered in Allura's ear. "I noticed you always say we when you mean you, Princess."

His statement made Allura look up at Keith once more, only to be greeted with a half-smile.

It's the same half-smile she saw when she assigned him the red lion. That was the moment she knew she was in love with Keith.

"I don't want you hurt." She said softly.

Keith leaned in to steal a kiss. In a flash, their passion ignited, devouring each other in seconds. Allura wasn't sure how she went from feelings of guilt to desire within nanoticks. But the instant Keith touched her she felt her knees turn to jelly.

Keith pressed Allura against the wall, feeding the fire ignited from earlier that night. His hands roamed from her shoulders to her thighs before pulling away, leaving a trail of heat behind.

"I have to go." His forehead brushed hers. Allura's nose tickled from Keith's minty breath.

Allura pursed her lips. "Fine." She gazed into his dark eyes again, knowing she'd get lost in them. Those purple flecks in his eyes always crippled her. "Just be careful, Keith," she traced her hand down his cheek. "You're irreplaceable." With that, Allura walked away.

Keith heard a low whistle from behind. He swung around to see James standing there with a smirk.

"What are you doing back here?" Keith barked.

"Relax, Keith." James cracked a smile. "I forgot my transmitter."

Keith shot James a suspicious look while smoothing out his flight suit. "See you on the ship," He grumbled, walking out.

"Keith, the exit is this way," James called after him, but Keith kept walking in the opposite direction.

James muttered to himself. "This guy."

The rooms were sterile and chrome, with blue lights illuminating the walls. Typical of an altean ship. Lance was on one side of the med bay in a private room, but Kira was in an area where prisoners are held in the castle. It wasn't a section that Allura wanted, but Coran thought that kind of area was necessary, especially since they've had castle breaches before.

In Lance's room, Pidge kneeled next to his bed. Hot tears rolled down her face. Nurse bots that Pidge created tended to those who need care. She fashioned the bots after Beezer. The bots were made so there were constant eyes on the injured, and they can alert the team if something was wrong.

The bot read the report on Lance, and it was not good.

Internal bleeding with multiple blows to the head. His face was a bruised mess. His hair matted with blood.

Pidge sighed. The med bay is advanced as it's always been but cannot perform miracles.

She sobbed silently by Lance's side. Pidge wasn't a crier, but she can't help but feel personally responsible for his affliction. Deep down, she sensed Lance could be in danger but ignored her gut. The guilt Pidge feels is unbearable.

"I can't lose you, Lance." She wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I can't bear it." Tears streamed down her cheeks as fast as she wiped them away. "I know you must think I hate you; I don't." A lump rose in her throat as she laid her shaky hands on his face. "I'm sorry, I know you said you loved me. I- I love you too."

"But," Pidge took a heavy breath. "I couldn't be with you that night, and I can't be with you now. It's too late for us. I'm with James, and whether you realize it or not," Pidge stroked Lance's hair. "Allura's got you in a chokehold."

As if on cue, Pidge looked up to see Allura standing in the doorway with her hands folded in front of her.

Pidge's eyes grew wide. "How long were you standing there?"

"Long enough," Allura said quietly.

"Well, I didn't find anything else." Pidge stood up abruptly, dabbing her eyes.

"It's okay, Pidge."

"I still think something is off. I want to check the database and do-"

"Pidge," Allura was cutting her off. "I heard what you said to Lance."

"I guess the cat's out of the bag." Pidge threw her arms up and flopped in the chair nearest to Lance. "I guess you hate me."

"Why don't you join me in my lounge?" Allura asked kindly.

"Sure, it's your castle," Pidge said, deflated.

Keith met Krolia and James on Krolia's loaner ship.

"What took you so long?" Krolia placed her hands on her hips. "I thought you wanted to leave right away?"

"I had to do some research," Keith said flatly. "Mom, can you scan the west side of the moon?"

"Scanning." Krolia tapped her board feverishly.

"We need to send this ship in first and parachute out." Keith surmised.

James snapped his head around to look at Keith. "Wait, whoa, why?"

Keith squared his shoulders. "Just trust me."

"Yeah, that's not going to fly." James crossed his arms. "I need reasons."

"Since you invited yourself," Keith said dryly. "You have no choice."

"Hate to interrupt you two, but the west side seems to have a small weakness every four ticks," Krolia said. "The force field circulates openly and then closes."

"Well, if this moon is so heavily armored, how did Lance get in?" James asked.

"It's not typically armored, but since Lance made it out of there alive, they are anticipating us."

"Then why are we going?" James folded his arms.

"Because if a lion easily took them out, that means they are not as armored as we think."

James raised his eyebrow. "Keith, you act as if you have inside intel."

Keith shrugged his shoulders. "I tried speaking with Kira, but she's out of it."

"Could she tell you who was behind this?" James twisted his mouth into a frown. "Because we kind of need that info."

"Not necessarily," Keith said, staring into space.

"Well, what did she say?" James pressed.

"She couldn't remember much of anything." Keith shrugged. "She's not together. It makes me think that when the chain was cut, her memory was wiped."

"I guess we're on our own." James leaned back in his chair.

"The moon seems to be reeking with dark energy," Krolia said suspiciously.

Keith pulled up his hologram. "Coran, come in."

"Yes, Keith, I'm here!" Coran said in his usual cheerful tone.

"I know you are having trouble visualizing the moon, but can you train your scans to pick up dark energy?"

"Right away!"

A few ticks later. "I wouldn't classify it as dark energy in the Honerva sense," Coran said. "But there is an energy-based on some quintessence, yes."

"Keith," Krolia placed Coran on a brief hold. "I don't want another repeat war with Droids. Maybe Allura was right. We don't know what we are getting into."

As the moon came into focus, Keith's jaw tightened, strengthening his resolve.

"There is only one way to find out."

Allura's lounge was an area where she entertained personal guests. It was up at the top of the castle, where there is a skylight. Allura loved to take tea there with Romelle and gaze over Arus.

"Wow," Pidge mused. "You never brought me up here."

"When you are here, you're usually busy." Allura gathered some tea. "Would you like some?"

"No thanks," Pidge said silently.

Allura motioned Pidge to her plush pink bench. "I feel closer to my father in this room," Allura said wistfully, looking out her window. "I am at peace here."

"If you're going to kill me, it's the perfect place to do it." Pidge folded her hands, looking down at her lap.

Allura paused to gather her thoughts. "Pidge-"

"I know; I'm a horrible friend," Pidge said sorrowfully. "I'm sorry, Allura. Lance kissed me a while back, and then tonight, he said-"

"Pidge," Allura cut her off with a wave of her hand. "It's quite alright." Allura bit the inside of her cheek. "I should have known."

"I'm sorry," Pidge shuttered. Her freckled face was a bright shade of crimson. "When Lance asked you out, I resigned myself that he didn't want or care for me. I let it go, but then he-" Pidge looked up at Allura with glassy eyes. "Oh God, Allura, I am so sorry."

Allura grabbed Pidge by the shoulders. "I wish you would have told me; I would have let him go in an instant."

"But you love him, Allura," Pidge reasoned.

"I do," Allura said quietly. "But I didn't at the time he asked me out." Allura smiled wistfully. "And not in the way I love Keith."

The statement thunderstruck Pidge. Her eyes grew wide with shock and then realization. "I KNEW IT!"

Romelle paged in. "Allura, come downstairs! Lance seems to be in trouble." Both Pidge and Allura looked at each other in horror and darted downstairs.

"Pidge! I need you to wait out here with Romelle!"

"But Allura-"

"Just wait here," Allura ordered. "Please!"

Allura ran inside, closing the door behind her.

Upon arrival, Lance was seizing. Allura touched Lance's temples with her fingertips, hoping to calm him or at least bring him back. He's more battered than he was when she saved him in space. Knowing how Pidge feels about Lance, if he died, she wouldn't want Pidge to witness that, especially since she's unsure if she can save him.

"I'm so sorry, Lance," she whispered, touching his temples. "I should have tried this earlier, but I wanted to give the chamber some time to restore you." Allura closed her eyes, putting herself in a trance-like state. "Come back. We- we need you."

Upon her touch, his body lit up. Lance stopped seizing immediately. His heartbeat stabilized. But without warning, Allura's senses started brimming over with Lance's memories, an unexpected side effect. Allura removed her hands. A tear ran down her cheek.

I know it's an intrusion, but maybe I can learn who did this to you. Allura reasoned within herself. Deciding it was worth the risk, Allura closed her eyes and touched his temples again.

Lance, please forgive me.

Allura's head is throbbing as fast as her heart. It was too much at once, and she couldn't slow the images down to understand everything.

His first kiss… His family dinners… His Birthdays… The first time she met him… Lance kissing Pidge…

Allura felt a pit in her stomach upon seeing that memory. The sheer emotion that Lance felt when he kissed Pidge... She wasn't sure if it was because she still cared for him or because they were together when that occurred. All she knows is that memory stings. Pushing her negative feelings aside, Allura refocuses, and under her fingertips, she feels Lance relax.

His feelings of jealousy… His partying… Wait?! "Oh, my-! I know her!"

Allura snatched her hands back as if she touched a hot iron. She clasped her hands over her mouth in shock. Allura saw a woman who stuck out in Lance's memories.

"I know who hurt you, Lance," Allura shuttered." Backing out slowly, she turned and ran out of the room. Bleary-eyed from her tears, Allura almost ran over Romelle in her haste.

"Allura! Hey! What is going on?" Romelle looked over Allura's shoulder at Lance's room. "Is Lance okay?!"

"Yes, Romelle!" She cried. "He's okay." Allura held her head. "Oh, my ancients!"

Romelle grabbed Allura's shoulders. "What's wrong, Allura?"

"We have to notify Keith, now!" Allura yelled.

Pidge walking nearby, stopped in her tracks. "Tell Keith what?"

"Yulexa, my wedding planner! The one that Lance hired! She's Zuza!" Allura shrieked.

Right then, the castle shut down on the mention of the name. All lights turned red, signaling the castle was in emergency mode. A sinister voice cut through the air.

"You called, Empress?" Yulexa's voice bounced off on her walls.

"Coran," Allura paged. "Can we get the power back on?"

"Working on it now, Empress!"

"I'm going to help Coran!" Pidge took off running before Allura could utter another word.

"Are you going to ignore me, Empress?" Yulexa taunted. "That is insulting. How about I show you what happened to your precious commander?"

Allura stepped onto the bridge where a hologram of Yulexa was waiting for her. Yulexa was sporting all-white, blazing red hair, large green eyes, and pale alabaster skin. Her blue Altean marks outlined her eyes. She was a beauty, but her evil nature spoiled her appearance.

Yulexa flashed images of Galra ships being shot down out of the air. Allura's heart sank.

Yulexa returned to the screen with a smug expression.

"I know he isn't dead." Allura grit her teeth at Yulexa.

"Do you?" Yulexa mocked her. "Aw, maybe you do with your special connection and all."

Allura pursed her lips, ignoring her comment. She didn't know for sure. But if Keith passed, she would feel it, wouldn't she? No, he isn't dead. She's bluffing.

All of a sudden, Allura heard Pidge transmit a private signal through her earrings. "Allura? Please don't say anything; it's Pidge calling from the rear control room with Coran, Hunk, and Romelle. I secured a private transmission. Cough if you hear me."

Allura let out a light cough.

"We broke through her firewall. She placed a virus throughout our system. It was evading the program I installed. It was only activated in the event anyone said her name. I am working on disabling it now. Try to stall her. Coran is working on transmitting her exact location to Kolivan."

Allura balled her fist in an attempt to control her anger. "What do you want, Yulexa?"

"Ha! Now you want to know what I want? You knew we did not want to be ruled, but you ignored us. We were free with Lotor. We didn't follow outdated, archaic rules with Honerva. She gave us POWER. Now you think that after all these years, you can waltz in and TAKE OVER?"

"Alteans always had leadership, Yulexa. Honerva controlled you, and now you're controlling others."

"They are a part of the cause!" Yulexa shouted. "We are willing to do whatever necessary to stop you. And that means becoming one!"

"Allura," Pidge spoke in her earrings again. "Coran said the Black Lion left after Keith did, but no one can reach him. Krolia and James got separated from him and Kosmo. They're fighting quite a bit of mind-controlled Alteans."

Allura didn't know whether to be happy or to be upset. Keith could be in trouble, or he could have summoned the Lion. She wished Keith shared his plan beforehand.

"Listen, Yulexa," The rage bubbled inside Allura. "You are not doing anything but hurting our people. This isn't the way to solve problems."

"And you are? You murdered our leaders! You rule alongside someone who isn't of our kind and can't even make up your mind to marry him! What kind of leader is that?"

"If you are speaking of Lotor, he killed thousands of Alteans. And Honerva killed countless more. I've restored peace in our universe, and you're causing chaos."

"I am restoring the freedom we had." Yulexa's green eyes blazed with fury through the screen. "Step down or be stepped on."

"You will do nothing of the sort." Allura scoffed. "You will pay for hurting those I care about."

"You speak if you have authority. But the fact is, you're weak. There are so many Alteans in my cause; how do you think that I have control over your home right now?"

"You mean Kira?" Allura said with her eyebrow raised.

"Who? My sister?" Yulexa sniffed. "She would never knowingly betray you. Poor fool, she's in love with Coran." She shook her head. "No, I had to make her see my vision."

"In love with me?" Coran exclaimed, almost busting Allura's eardrum. "She's just a child!"

"And your hot body Coran!" Romelle gigged.

"EW!" Hunk exclaimed. "Really, Romelle?"

"Someone's got daddy issues." Pidge quipped.

Allura cleared her throat, signaling the crew to shut up. "You'd control your sister?"

"You'd control your sister?" Yulexa mocked Allura. "Your self-righteousness is your downfall. Today you'll perish, Empress, and we will be free."

"Kolivan locked her location," Pidge murmured. "Just a few more ticks on the virus…."

"You're a coward, unwilling to face me," Allura said viciously. "I like to see you try to assassinate me."

Yulexa laughed venomously. "Your wish is my command, Empress."

Just then, a hissing sound came from every vent. "Allura, take cover!" Coran exclaimed. "She released a chemical!"

Allura slammed an emergency panel as she felt the room spin...