"So… you are looking for the ritual for the Fountain of Youth?" the man with the orange hair said as they sat down in a living room of sorts. He had said his name at some point but Keith was awestruck at the time. The Alteans had been easy to find. Although they were hesitant at first to let Keith and Shiro in, they were friendly and cheerful after Keith explained what they were here for. The man brought the boys up into the Castle, helping Keith with Shiro by offering a hoverchair. The man asked them questions about themselves. Shiro chatted politely with him, telling the man where they were from and telling him why we were searching for the Fountain of Youth. The man asked if they needed anything before he went to fetch Princess Allura. The owner of the castle. They replied they were fine.

Princess Allura was a regal looking woman. She stood decently taller than Keith. Her platinum white hair cascaded down her back, with strands from the front pulled together at the back. Her dress was a sky blue. Her posture conveyed confidence. Even though Keith was not into girls, he could still recognize an attractive woman. Princess Allura didn't just look confident. She radiated an energy that made you want to listen to her. She politely demanded attention to be paid toward her, and Keith would gladly give it to her.

"Hello," she greeted warmly. "Welcome to Arusa, our landed planet. I'm sure you know of Altea and its history."

Keith recalled the tiny dudes with horns that they encountered after exiting The Red Lion. Altea, he knew, was destroyed by one half of his ancestors. These Alteans obviously escaped the destruction and were co-existing with the Arusians.

"So, why did you all go to the Fountain of Youth?" Shiro asked.

The Alteans exchanged looks. They were, of course, expecting this.

"Coran?" Allura gestured. The man brought out a screen and pulled up a presentation. Keith sighed.

Coran explained that Altea was the hub of access to this substance called Quintessence. The material is in everything; in the rocks, the animals, the air, and in living creatures. Keith tried not to think of it too hard. Coran explained that The Galra were trying to find as much quintessence as possible in order to conquer the universe. In their search, they are also conquering the universe. It's why they attacked Altea; but the Alteans destroyed themselves so that the most popular access point was destroyed. The Alteans had the ability to create rifts and manipulate this force.

To ask what brought Coran and Allura to the Fountain of Youth would be inaccurate. It is an assumption. Coran said that they created the Fountain of Youth. It was for those deemed worthy of healing, those only who had pure hearts. Pure intentions. They do not want the Galran Empire to access it. Coran explains that because of this, and because of past experiences, they want Keith and Shiro to take a heritage test. Apparently the Galra have disguised themselves to look like other aliens in order to get into the Castle.

If the Galra found the Fountain of Youth, Allura pressed, the whole universe would lose. They would not only use the Fountain but they would drain the quintessence from it. They would stay young and healthy.

Keith noticed both Coran and Allura hesitated every time they said fountain. Just as the others did.

"Once we know you are not Galra scum, we will teach you the dance."

"Dance?" The two boys said in unison, Shiro as a smirk and Keith with surprise and dread.

"The, er, um, keeper of the Fountain requires a passcode. That passcode is a dance. The dance and the ritual will be taught to you after the test!" Allura said.

Coran gestured first then to follow him.

"Come with me to the med bay!"

Keith walked alongside Shiro and this Altean chair. This one Shiro was able to control himself. Coran was beside Keith, using a tablet. He asked Keith and Shiro what Shiro's affliction was. Shiro told him his story. About the attack and coming to Keith. Coran asked about Shiro's arm and he explained his old arm was Galran, but his new one was from the Galactic Union Hospital. Shiro wasn't sure the origin of the technology but it worked like a flesh arm. They luckily got to the med bay before Coran could ask Keith any questions.

The med bay was large for two people. Granted, the Castle likely used to house more than just Coran and Allura. There were many panels labelled in a language Keith couldn't read. Big panels, little panels. On the far side of the room from the door were 5 cylinders connected to the floor and a screen to the right of each pod. Noticing Keith's interest in the pods, Coran explained their use. Apparently the Castle has a wide database of creatures and the pods can heal a variety of wounds. He said that once the two adventurers were cleared, Shiro could pop into one in order to heal him enough for the rest of the trip. The pods couldn't completely cure Shiro, but get him to a more stable point.

Coran went to one of the panels, a big one, opened it, revealing multiple tables and chairs inside. Medical tables and chairs. He brought two chairs out, both with straps.

"Woah woah woah-" Keith started but Coran interrupted.

"The straps are in case you are not who you say you are. I'm sorry but, again, we have had many come through seeking the…. Fountain... " there it was, that pause, "and some have attacked us. Some have been Galra."

Coran was sincere in his condolences; he really did sound as if this treatment of the two boys was not preferred.

Keith swallowed hard while approaching the chair. Perhaps being part human would outshine the Galra?

Shiro was strapped in first, and then Keith. There were restraints on his ankles, wrists, and one around his chest. Shiro unfortunately due to the robotic arm had more straps around him. Keith counted six on the arm. Shiro was in a weakened state, but that did not mean his non-flesh arm was affected.

Coran produced a cylindrical device that reminded Keith of a pen. He took Shiro's DNA first; Coran placed the open end of the metal cylinder to Shiro's fingertip. Shiro hissed. The DNA sample was swift. Coran shook the cylinder after removing it from Shiro's finger. He looked at a little screen on the device, smiling after a few seconds.

"Welcome aboard Human Shiro!" Coran said. He emptied the contents and then came over to Keith. It was at this point that the Princess entered.

"How's it going?" she asked warily.

"It's swell Princess! Shiro is confirmed to be human. We are now going to test Keith."

Keith swallowed again. When did it get so hot in the castle? Coran pricked Keith's finger; the sting surprised Keith but it was a short-lived pain.

Keith, despite his general lack of ability to understand social situations, noticed when Coran's demeanor changed. The device lit up with the result; Coran's smile and general cheerfulness faltered. He turned around to face away from Keith, walked swiftly towards the Princess, and showed her the result. Her eyes levelled on Keith in such a way that, if looks could kill, he would be dead eight times over.

"Half human… half Galra." Allura said in such a calm fashion that Keith was scared. He was strapped down to this chair, unable to move, to escape.

Coran sighed.

"What should we do Princess?" Coran asked.

"Can you give Keith a chance to explain?" Shiro piped up. "I swear, we are not here to get the quincense-"

"Quintessence" Keith corrected him. Shiro shot a look at Keith. He cursed himself.

"I am sick and dying and I need the Fountain. I want to get back to my husband. Sure, Keith's part Galra. But what does being Galra have to do with anything? They are the only KNOWN race seeking quintessence. Haven't there been other races that have come along as well?"

He paused, waiting for an answer that never came.

"Besides, Keith was raised on Earth. He only found out he was part Galra when he came to space and started exploring. He has never worked under Zarkon or Haggar."

Princess Allura's cold glare at Keith wavered at Shiro's words.

"We will allow you to heal up Shiro." She decided. "You can heal as much as you can. We will help send you back to your husband so that you can be with him…" her voice cracked and she turned away.

"Listen," Keith said, surprising himself with how calm he was. "Do whatever you want to me. As long as one of you goes to the fountain with him. Just heal him."

Allura crossed her arms, bowing her head down. She turned back around to face Keith and Shiro. She was trying to mask her emotions but her body conveyed a different tone than she was giving. A sadness broke through the Princess' voice.

"We can't… If you were not Galra, I could tell you why. What the ritual calls for."

Coran approached another cupboard. He pulled out a vial and poured the contents into the cylinder from earlier. He went over to Shiro.

"Anything you want to say to Keith before I put you in the pod?" He asked.

"What are you doing to him?" Shiro demanded. Allura sighed.

"Coran and I shall discuss this. You need to get healing though."

Coran gave Shiro whatever was inside the vial and Shiro started slumping in the chair. His eyes were betraying him; they wanted to close. Keith could see Shiro fighting against it.

"Keith…" he breathed. "Please…"

He looked through droopy eyelids at Coran.

"You touch a hair on his head the wrong way and I swear…" he growled "I may be dying but I WILL protect my brother. Or avenge him, if it comes down to it."

And with his proclamation, Shiro passed out. Keith watched as the Alteans took him from the chair and placed him into one of the pods. They touched a few buttons on the panel screen and soon Shiro was floating in the tank. He looked peaceful. The Alteans took his robot arm off and placed it into a secured cabinet. They returned to Keith. Keith challenged them to make eye contact.

"What are you going to do, kill me?" Keith asked.

"If you try to kill us, yes. Otherwise, no. The Alteans are a peaceful people. We kill to protect ourselves or others." Allura answered. Relief swept over Keith's body.

"Why not let me go then? You did not give me the ritual" Keith reasoned. "If you send Shiro away, can't I go with him? Make sure he makes it back?"

Coran and Allura left to discuss the issue. Keith waited impatiently. He examined his restraints; the ones around his ankles were some type of metal. Around his chest was a firm rope and leathery material around his wrists. He could barely move.

Coran re-entered. Keith looked at him expectantly. The older man approached Keith, got close to him. Keith felt a pinch and sting in his right shoulder.

"Ah!" Keith exclaimed with a curse.

"I'm sorry my boy. Quintessence is too valuable." He said sincerely. Keith felt his body relax, betraying him. His eyelids became lead, his head feeling like cotton. Keith fought it at first but figured they gave him the same drug as Shiro. However, Keith remained conscious. He wasn't able to move his body but he could open his eyes for brief stints of time periodically.

Coran placed him in Shiro's chair and pushed him out of the med bay. He watched, defenseless, as the Altean pushed him through the Castle. Down the halls. Everything was metallic and shiny. Everything seemed so surreal. Keith had been captured before. With the Blade, he was once captured by an opposing force. That time, he was strapped to a chair and his captures asked him questions. Their main tactics were depriving him of food and then offering treats for information, and making sure he was uncomfortable. Keith lasted the whole week before the rescue team saved them. This was different.

Somehow, this was less and more intense. He did NOT like being drugged. But he felt like the worst it would get with the Alteans was boredom. They seemed too nice to actually starve him. Keith was worried about hygiene. He wasn't exactly a fan of being dirty due to lack of washing. This time, no one would be coming for him. He wasn't a part of the Blades. Shiro was being sent off to die with his husband. Unless Shiro got Curtis to promise to rescue him, Keith could see no future of being free.

Keith had opened his eyes too long before they entered the 'jail' of the castle. He heard a whoosh of the doors open. A deep, sultry voice came from inside the new room, sounding as if there was a barrier between them. Coran stopped for a moment. Keith tried to will his eyes to open but they just wouldn't. He heard Coran's high pitched voice have a conversation with whoever else was in this room. He felt Coran pick him up again, rather awkwardly, Keith could tell Coran hasn't lifted people often. He was placed on a slightly warm surface, one that was solid. Due to the drug swimming through his system, the transfer caused him to feel as if he was falling. Nausea entered his list of sensations. A few seconds passed. Maybe an hour. Keith didn't know. The world was dark and spinning and still and colorful and headaches and tenseness and relaxation. Eventually, his body slowed down. His head stopped spinning, going to a slight throb. His eyes slowly lost the heaviness. He vaguely felt someone watching him, probably the person in the other cell.

Keith tested out moving his limbs. He was on his stomach and really wanted to be on his back so he could see his new roommate. If you could say that.

"Hey, can you hear me yet?" the deep voice asked.

Keith took a bunch of mental energy into grunting in affirmation. Not his most attractive state but…

"Let me guess… Part Galra as well?" He asked. Keith grunted in response. He was able to nod a little.

"They drugged you up good, didn't they?"

Keith rolled his eyes but didn't respond. He figured that the real torture was actually going to be this guy.

"I'm Lotor. I'd shake your hand or something, but..."

Keith attempted to move his arm, gasping and struggling.

"Hey Coran!" He yelled. Keith was very concerned. A small ding was heard.

"This boy is very much still drugged. Can you give him the decency of putting him in a comfier position?"

A few minutes later, he heard someone enter the room. He heard two whoosh noises, one closer to him. Hands grabbed him and gently rolled him onto his back. He heard a few more noises, unsure of how to interpret them. He was more focused on testing out his body. Maybe he should focus on talking, getting information from Lotor? Keith decided that was the better cause of action.

Coran's steps receded. There were sounds of chewing a minute later.

"Better?" Lotor asked with food in his mouth. Keith was able to nod. His eyes finally were able to open.

He blinked a few times despite the lighting in the room being not that bright. His cell was rounded. Keith figured he could lay across it twice and that would be the diameter of the cell. The walls surrounding him were a particle barrier, light blue. He tried moving his head, rolling it to the side. In his success he was able to look at Lotor.

There was no denying, this man was beautiful. Rigid facial features. His long, platinum blonde hair slick and flowing. He was sitting against the far side of his own cell, back against the particle wall, one leg outstretched, one bended into the other. His skin had a noticeable purple tint to it, like many Galra Keith had seen. Only difference being that a majority of the Galra were not as elegantly angular. Keith wondered what the other half of Lotor's lineage was. He had mentioned being 'part Galra too'.

"Coran brought you some food too. I don't think you can eat right now but can I help you drink?"

Keith scrunched up his brows.

"How?" He rasped. God, his voice was rough. It surprised Lotor; he jumped in his position and then chuckled.

"We are allowed to interact. As long as both parties agree that the other can enter the cell."

"Sure," Keith grumbled. A tunnel was made in the short space between the two cells. It then opened the walls of each cell. Lotor entered, knelt down. Carefully positioned Keith in a sitting position against his leg. He brought the cup to Keith's lips, tilted it so the fluid would casually go into his mouth, and waited for him to swallow before repeating the process.

Keith almost choked because he got distracted by Lotor's presence. It wasn't him feeling attracted to Lotor though. Lotor has an aura that demands presence, similar to the Princess.

Keith finished the drink, feeling significantly better after. He wondered what was in it. Lotor returned to his own cell. He sat down again watching Keith. Keith could feel something going through him, giving him a little strength and ability to control his muscles. It took a few minutes but he was able to sit up. There was a bowl of food next to his empty cup.

"What's in the food?" He asked, his voice back to normal.

"Vitamins. Nutrients. It's food" Lotor deadpanned.

"I'm just asking because there was some sort of drug in the drink," Keith I formed him.

Keith ate the food slowly. Lotor's gaze went up and down Keith, a chill going wherever his gaze went. Keith swallowed hard.

"I honestly would not be able to tell you were part Galra." Lotor commented. "What's your other part?"

Keith wasn't sure he should answer. But, he was also wondering that about Lotor.

"Human."

Lotor clicked his tongue.

"Fascinating."

Keith looked him in the eyes.

"You?"

"Oh, you don't know?" Lotor teased. "I'm part Altean."

It made sense now that he knew.

"Zarkon, unfortunately, was my father."

Keith remembered Zarkon being mentioned during Coran and Allura's story about the Fountain of Youth.

"Was?" Keith asked. This caused Lotor to break eye contact with Keith.

"He died…."

Well this was awkward, Keith thought.

"Mine's dead too," Keith blurted out. Lotor smiled a little. Amusement? Relatability?

Keith finished his meal and placed the dishes at the part of the cell closest to the door.

Keith waited for what he thought was twenty minutes. In that time, Lotor had fallen asleep in his sitting position against the wall, on the floor. Keith decided that if he had all this spare time, might as well make it useful. He worked out for a bit; lunges, push ups, crunches. If he had the slightest chance of escaping, Keith did not want to abandon his strength. He also needed to clear his head.

The Alteans were obviously ethical enough to feed him while he is their prisoner. They even reversed the weird drug they gave him earlier. So they must not hate him, they just don't trust him because of his Galran heritage. If he could change their minds… would they let him go?

Keith got up and ran laps around the cell.

Maybe Shiro would convince them? Shiro definitely was not going to be okay with this arrangement.

As if on cue, the doors opened and Shiro stormed in. Keith was surprised; Shiro was walking, although it looked painful. He seemed like he was more focused. Shiro scanned the room, his steely gaze landing on Keith. Keith stopped his laps near the front of the cell. Coran entered, running.

"Shiro, we can't trust him. He's Galran. We have made our decision."

"If Allura can do that weird shit with sensing quintessence then she can do it on Keith. Sense what his soul is truly about," Shiro declared.

"Wait what?" Keith asked.

"Allura was able to tell how long I have before the poison will kill me after the healing pod session. We have 2 days before the poison comes back and then it's progression is going to get exponentially worse. In our conversation she mentioned that she truly wished I could go to the Fountain of Youth because my quintessence reading was pure. That I was a good person." Shiro explained. He gave Coran a pointed look. "If she can do that for me, she can do it to Keith."

Keith looked at Coran, expecting him to say something. Shiro gestured to the panel.

"Let Keith go. He has done no harm to you. You are making a prejudgment based on racist ideas. Keith just wants me to not die."

Coran sighed. He said he would try to convince the Princess and then left.

Keith and Shiro stood in awkward silence for a while. Shiro's arm was still off, but he looked not just healthier but like he cleaned up. The Alteans gave him clothes. Granted, he was barely in them. Even dying and poisoned, Shiro was still muscular as hell.

"You're looking better," Shiro commented to Keith.

"I could say the same thing about you," Keith said, a small smile escaping.

Shiro looked over to the other cell, his facial expression dropping to curiosity.

"Who's this guy? Lotor?"

"You know him?!" Keith exclaimed.

"Not personally. Allura told me about him while examining my stump," Shiro wiggled his stump "and told me why he is in here."

Keith's eyebrows raised and he crossed his arms.

"Lotor was apparently looking for the Fountain. He wanted to hopefully tap into it and heal his mother. But when he arrived, no mother was with him and he admitted he was not accompanied by a dying person. Allura threw him in here. I don't know whether the Princess found his true intentions because she did not explain further."

Keith nodded in acknowledgment. The way Lotor spoke hinted that he was solely in there because of his Galran heritage, like Keith was. Shiro looked around the room, his expression lighting up as if he remembered something. He went over to the panel that, to Keith's knowledge, controlled the room. He stared at it for a moment and then looked to Keith.

"It's in Altean… Do you think I could press a button and it coincidentally be the correct one?"

"That thing could kill me, maybe, so I don't think that is a good idea. Besides, we don't know the ritual yet."

Shiro crossed his arm over his chest, as if to cross his arms. But only having one. He turned his gaze back to the panel. Keith's eyebrows furrowed.

"Shiro, what are you doing?"

"Seeing if there are any patterns that could lead to something."

Keith saw Princess Allura before Shiro. The door opened silently, the Princess entering. Meanwhile, Shiro was talking. He was trying to describe the layout of the words and symbols. Keith tried to intervene to tell him when he saw Allura enter but Shiro was too focused on the symbols and decoding. He went to press one; Allura quickly grabbed him by the wrist.

"If you want to kill Keith and Lotor, that button was the right one." Allura sternly said. Shiro sheepishly took his arm out of her grasp and tucked it into his pant pocket. Allura looked levelly at Keith. He felt like she could see every cell in his body, every hair on his mulleted head.

"Keith," she addresses. She takes a deep breath, looking him square in the eyes. As if daring him to defy her. "If we let you out, you have to promise not to attack so that I can use my… revealed powers," her eyes flick to Shiro for a second, "and see if your intentions are true."

"My answer is the same. I just. Want. to. Heal. Shiro." Keith said levelly, the snark escaping a little in his tone. Allura pushed a symbol on the screen and suddenly the particle barrier around him was gone. Allura asked Keith to follow her and he did.

Keith was slow at walking, mostly because he was amazed at the Castle. When he was drugged and being carried through, he could barely see the magnificence of it. Now that he was sober, he could take the castle in all its glory. Allura led him back to the medical bay, Shiro and Coran in short stride behind Allura, with Keith at the back of the line.

Allura gestured to one of the chairs again. Keith sighed. He grudgingly sat down and allowed himself to be strapped in, hoping his compliance was noted. Allura did not give any indication. Shiro was told to stay by the door. He obliged; Keith could see his foot tapping and Shiro went to twist a robotic finger that was not there. Allura placed her hands on Keith's temples. He saw it happening before he felt it. Allura's hands at the corner of his eyes were glowing a bright red. Keith hoped that was good. Just as that thought had entered, his brain became mush. He could barely think a thought straight - not that his thoughts were straight before, in a sexuality sense - and he closed his eyes. The extra input was causing his brain to throb. Or was that the probing Allura was doing? Keith didn't know. He succumbed to being thoughtless for however long it took Allura to judge him.

"Ah!" He exclaimed. His eyes suddenly focused on the face in front of him; Shiro stood, bent over him and was lightly tapping his face. Relief washed over the older man's face. He help Keith sit up; he was in a room. Not strapped down, or trapped. It was simply furnished.

"Hey there." Shiro greeted. Keith rubbed his eyes.

"What happened?

"Well you passed out after Allura was done. She said you were pure of heart and then excused herself. I think she feels bad about how she treated you. Coran helped me get you here. This is your room."

Keith processed that slower than usual, looked around again.

"My room?"

"Yes. You have to learn the ritual."

Keith groaned and rolled over so he was facing the wall. He heard Shiro chuckle.

"Until you learn it, I will be getting healing sessions every two days. Assuming it takes you at least a week."

Shiro patted Keith on the shoulder, squeezing lovingly.

"For now, get some rest."

And Keith did.

The next time Keith woke up, he was alone in his room. He got up and explored the space, feeling fully rested and energized. His clothes were put into the closet that was in the room. He has a nightside table that his tablet was inside. There was a bathroom attached to the room, one that appeared to be just for him. He had a quick shower and decided to explore some more. Now he was a guest, rather than a prisoner. It felt weird.

He wandered down the hall, eventually hearing voices coming from a nearby room. He remembered this from his first introduction to the Castle. He was on the bridge of the ship Castle. Allura and Coran were there, discussing something. They heard his footsteps and turned to greet Keith.

"Good Morning Keith!" Coran cheerily said. Allura's wary look forced a smile out of her and she greeted him too.

"We were just going over the ritual. We need to teach it to you." Allura said.

"Ok." Keith said, not too sure what else to say.

"It involves three parts, but each part can produce some… challenges." Coran began. He and Allura walked over to Keith, Coran gesturing for Keith to follow. They went into the living room with a big couch. Coran sat across from Keith, the projector on and next to him. Keith sat down on the couch, crossing his arms.

Coran explained the ritual part one was a few specific lines that Keith had to memorize. The second part was a dance. Keith was NOT impressed. The last part was called a "love transfer". Could Coran be even more vague? Keith tried asking him but Coran just kept saying that he will find out when he gets there. Coran got Keith to follow him to the training deck, where Allura and Shiro were. They were sparring.

Keith was at first glad to see Shiro up and on his feet. This was how he was used to seeing Shiro. Except there was one problem. Shiro's hair was buzzed at the sides, and that was normal. What wasn't normal was the color. Instead of just one poof of his bangs being white, his hair was white. When did it change? Was Keith asleep for that long? Allura got a blow into Shiro's chest, knocking him back and leaving him gasping for air. Allura backed off, waiting for Shiro to recover his breath. She looked over and saw Keith and Coran.

"Hello boys. Keith, are you ready to learn the dance?"

"Dance?" Shiro smirked breathlessly. "I wanna see this."

Keith grumbled something inaudible. Shiro and Coran went over to the benches in the room while Keith got into position, facing Allura.

This was how most of the days went. Keith would wake up, eat, learn the dance, eat, explore the Castle ship, eat, practice the lines he needed to say. By the fifth day, he was performing the dance by himself, and had the lines to say memorized. He still didn't know what they meant by Love Transfer. On the seventh day, Coran and Allura declared that he was ready to go to Puerenia, the planet of the Fountain of Youth. He packed his stuff back in his ship the next morning, ate breakfast. As he was silently eating the food goo in the dining room, Princess Allura entered. She grabbed some food and sat down across from Keith.

"Good morning Keith. Are you ready for your departure?" She greeted.

"Yep."

"Shiro is just in the pods for his last healing session. He should be good to go by the time Coran is finished loading Shiro's stuff into the Red Lion."

Keith nodded in acknowledgement. Allura looked down at her hands, which had not touched her food or anything. They were interlaced on the table.

"Keith, I… wanted to apologize for my behavior when we first met. I shouldn't have treated you the way we did. While I could have done the Quin-test, it just… it tires me out. I know you passed out, but so did I. And if I did that for every person who comes in here, seeking the fountain or whatever else, then I would be tired and possibly dead."

Keith sighed and put his spoon down.

"I understand where you are coming from. But you withheld that test because I was part Galra. You did it to Shiro because he was human."

"The Galra and Alteans do not have the best record with each other. I was right to be cautious."

"You said Galra have attacked the Castle before?"

"Yes-"

"Have other species attacked the Castle?"

"Well, yes but-"

"But nothing. I appreciate your apology Princess, but unless you change your behavior or your methods, then you might as well not apologize."

Keith finished his goo. He put the bowl and the spoon in the wash hole, surprised at the silence. When he turned back around, Allura had her head in her hands, palms to her eyes.

"Coran and I," She said softly "are looking into different methods after you leave."

Keith hummed. Glad he could make an impression on them.

"Good." He said. Keith sauntered out to go get Shiro and head to Puerenia.

Allura joined him soon after; Coran was not in the med bay. Allura informed Keith that she did not get to mention that, on top of her change in behavior, they were installing a cryopod in his ship. So he could better transfer Shiro. He and Allura helped Shiro exit the pod and wake him up. Allura grabbed his mechanical arm, reattached it to him.

Allura escorted the pair of boys to their ship; they arrived as Coran emerged.

"Ready to go?" Coran asked.

"Yes. Despite the, uh, rocky start, I want to thank you for your hospitality. We greatly appreciate all of the kindness you have shown us." Shiro went in for a handshake, but Coran pulled Shiro into a hug. Shiro chuckled. He went to the Princess, bowing slightly. Allura waved him off, going for a hug too.

"Good luck. And I mean that," she said. Despite hugging Shiro, her eyes were open and looking at Keith. He felt the sincerity.

"We have also added you into our contacts. You should be able to reach us from anywhere in the universe!" Coran informed them.

"We will wormhole you to the planet Puerenia. After that, it's all up to you."

Keith and Shiro started to enter the ship, but before Keith could, Coran tapped on his shoulder.

"Not so fast."

Keith turned around to face the man.

"What!" Keith said through gritted teeth. Coran brought him in for a hug. Keith stood there, with his arms by his sides at first. He slowly lifted his arms up, patting Coran's. When they parted, Allura looked at him expectantly. Keith sighed and allowed her to hug him.

"Let me guess, you have learned so much that you can now hug a Galra." Keith dryly said.

"This," Allura said, ignoring his comment, "is a less powerful love transfer."

With that, they left, leaving Keith outside his shi in stunned silence.

Keith heard Allura and Coran's screams before he felt the blast.

Shiro and him were in the air, sailing towards the Red Lion-sized wormhole when Allura's panicked voice came through the intercom they set up.

"Keith, some of Lotor's minions are here. They are trying to break him out of the Castle and stop you from-" she was interrupted by her own scream. The coms shut off for a minute. Keith activated the scanner on his ship. He sensed two ships coming for him, two were docked at the Castle.

"Princess! What do you want me to do?" Keith yelled into the coms. He waited for a response.

"Try," Coran's nasally voice came through "to enter the portal before they can shoot you down!"

On cue, there was an explosion that rocked the ship. Keith did a systems check; the air conditioners were damaged but he could still fly safely.

"What about you?" Keith yelled.

"The Castle's particle barrier is up. The two after you can't get us, and those that were in here are inside the castle trying to break Lotor out. You just get to the portal!"

Keith cut the energy from some not-needed systems - sorry music - and redirected it to the engines. Just as the head of the Red Lion was inches away, he heard and felt another explosion noise. This one rocked the ship so hard, Keith had to put his seatbelt on. Shiro was still passed out in the cryopod; they were sure how long the journey would be from the spot in Puerenia's galaxy they would be deposited.

Suddenly, they were freefalling. Freefalling into a planet on the other side of the portal. The portal, which was not behind them anymore. And they were alone. Keith, hyper focused from the fact that they were in danger, made the only choice he could to save them. He redirected power from the cryopod to the engine. He couldn't save Shiro from dying if Keith was dead himself. Or Shiro was already.

Keith brought the Red Lion to a gentle land onto the planet they had plummeted to. He landed softly in some water, then was able to fly onto land. Keith rested for a few seconds, just breathing.

They were alive. Keith did it.

Shiro was not going to be for long though, if they were somehow not on Puerenia.

Keith switched on the GPS system and requested it to tell him his location. The screen read:

Planet - Freglia-4

Occupants - humanoids

Keith had no clue what this planet was or where it was. He searched for how long to get to Puerenia, typing in the coordinates the Holts gave him. Shiro only had maybe a week left before the poison kills him.

Expected journey: Two weeks