Voltron belongs to WEP. Sorry, I forgot it on the last Chapter. My bad.

Shards of a Different World

CHAPTER TWO

Within a matter of heartbeats, Alfor went back into the shadows and the team arrived on the scene – not knowing what was about to happen was a test for one. Haggar still didn't want to believe that he was worthy of the chance, but unlike her former love she would give the boy who could have been a child of hers the chance that she was denied. "About time you five showed up for your destruction."

"Shut up Haggar. Today was one day you should have stayed under your rock! You're under arrest for war crimes." Keith snapped.

Allura tensed hard for a moment. It was as if something was changing around her. It scared her, but she could feel her father's presence near-by and allowed that to keep her mind focused and her stance strong.

Haggar growled at that. She just knew that the boy was Alfor made over – a traitor. "Wrong. Today is the day all I lost long ago becomes mine once again!"

She flung a dark fluid filled crystal against a nearby wall. The moment it shattered the cavern filled with a dark green smoke. The team began coughing and unwittingly separated from one another.

Keith did what he could to breathe, but it was rough. There were others in the cave, but he felt their names begin to slip from his mind … along with their faces. His memories were being wiped out by the smoke, as were the memories of the others.

Alfor stepped forward and merged himself with the young Captain, using his magic to create a shield to protect the young man from the smoke and undo the damage it had caused. Keith could sense the old man within him and felt good for the first time in years. Alfor still held him close to his heart. Even with the lies, Keith still mattered to the dead King.

Then Keith found himself standing where Haggar had been. On the table like stone before him was Haggar's diary! The proof Keith had search for since he first learn the truth about himself was there in front of him! However there was a clear crystal with a shimmering milky blue substance in it lying next to the book.

Alfor gave Keith the knowledge that shattering that crystal would clear the cave and its influence on the rest of the Voltron Force. However, once the leader chose one the other would vanish. The truth and his true name or his friends. There was no choice in the Captain's mind.

Keith shattered the crystal on the floor and looked to find that as Alfor had warned the book was gone. Feeling lower than ever, Keith sat on the rock and forced himself not to cry. Yes, King Alfor was proud of him. Yes, that meant the world to Keith. But still, Keith was the same as he had been for years – alone without his true name and a part of his heritage along with the family that came with it.

Alfor slipped out of the young man's body, leaving his pride for Keith and his faith in him within the man. Would Haggar keep her word? After all, Keith had proven beyond Alfor's expectations of how good a man he was.

Allura sat next to Keith on the rock, but remained silent. She knew that look on his face well. Keith was struggling to keep his mask on until he could get alone. He wouldn't cry in front of any of them … not even her – it wasn't like him to do so.

"Stupid boy! The spell I cast would have reversed the moment they got into the sunlight! But, instead of regaining your honor and family, you choose the so-called friends you won't share your deepest secret with! You really are a foolish child!" Haggar heckled before teleporting away, the book Keith longed for tucked safely in her arm.

Lance and the others looked at Keith and Allura with numb shock. The truth was out, and now the pair would have to face it. Keith ordered everyone back to the Lions; he wasn't ready to speak of the truth yet.

Silently the group made their way through the caves. The three in the rear were confused, hurt, and seething with anger. Keith had held them out on a secret?

Allura touched Keith's arm gently. She could see that Keith was aching inside. If only she could change the laws. If only she could go back and undo the past. If only …

"Maybe we should leave the lovebirds alone boys. Bet Ally knows the truth." Lance sneered. He was the most hurt of the rest of the team. He and Keith had seemingly always been open and honest in the past. Haggar's words had been a hard blow on the pilot's faith in his leader.

Allura growled in frustration. It was none of the guy's business until Keith was ready. "Lance hold your tongue! That is none of your business …"

"Hold on Ally. Lance and the others deserve to know. And it will end their taunts finally." Keith stopped in the middle of the cave.

For fifteen minutes he and Ally explained the truth to the team. It was hard for Keith to open himself, but he trusted these men with his and Ally's lives – he could trust them with his past.

Once the talk was done, they continued on. The trio now was stunned and ashamed for their earlier behavior. Now they understood the truth, and knew how much it had taken to get Keith to tell the story. In fact they had never been so respectful and proud to call the two before them their friends.

Once the sunlight hit them the group got a shock!

Lying beside Black Lion's left paw was an old book! It could be!

Keith rushed over, the others following quickly behind him. It was! It was Haggar's personal journal! The proof Keith had wanted so badly.

Just then Alfor came into view. "You have proven yourself to be the man I always knew you were, Keith. And now you have you reward for following your heart. Now you have you name."

Once again Keith felt the old man's pride in him, but Alfor vanished before the young man could say 'thank you'. That had always been how things were. Keith always knew of the Kings pride in him, and Alfor always knew how thankful Keith was for his help and faith in the young Captain.

How was that? Are you guys just itching to find out what the big secret is? Any guesses before I spill? I'm really starting to like this story. Wait until the reality shatters. Better close now before I give it all away.