Keith managed to get the robot soldiers behind him as he ran. He could hear them closing in on him. Without breaking stride, he grabbed a grenade from his belt, pulled the pin with his teeth, and tossed it over his shoulder. A few seconds later, an explosion knocked him to his feet, and the enemy fire stopped. Panting, Keith got up and checked behind him. The blast took out the whole squad of robots. Keith grinned, and continued to the Gym.

Lance and Allura made their way to the Control Room. "I love this gun! Keith's never going to get it back." Lance exclaimed after disposing of a group of enemy soldiers. They rounded the corner to see a squad of Druhle robots waiting for them. "Oops! Wrong way!'' Lance backpedaled and he and Allura ran in the opposite direction.

Keith rounded the last corner before getting to the Gym. As he got closer, he heard voices, one in particular.

"The Princess was not in her Blue Lion! She must be here somewhere! Find her! Do not harm her or the Voltron Commander! Bring them to me." Lotor was commanding a squad of his robot troopers. The soldiers saluted him and hurried off to follow his orders, leaving Lotor quite alone.

A deadly calm settled over Keith. He drew his gun out in front of him, and stepped out of the shadows. "Lotor."

Lotor whirled around, sword in hand. Spying Keith, his eyes narrowed. "So, we meet again." Lotor snarled.

Keith walked forward, still aiming at Lotor. "It's over Lotor. Give up."

Lotor smiled evilly. "Never Captain. My father and I will never give up until this miserable planet is ours!"

Keith smiled an evil smile of his own. "Your father is dead."

Lotor's grin faltered. "You lie."

Keith walked closer. "I never lie Lotor. A charming Druhle Commander by the name of Hazar called me with the good news."

Lotor paled at the mention of Hazar. "It…it can't be true!"

"But it is Lotor." Keith advanced on the Druhle prince. "One more thing. Hazar and the Druhle Empire don't care what happens to you." Keith smiled nastily. "You're mine."

Lotor stood staring dumbly in shock. Suddenly, his mind cleared and he leapt at Keith. "Die human!" He snarled.

Keith managed to fire off a single shot, before Lotor slammed into him. Keith's gun flew out of his hand, as he fell to the floor. Lotor tried to grab it, but Keith kicked it away, and punched Lotor in the face. Lotor's sword went flying across the hall. "Die yourself!" The two men got to their feet, circling each other warily. "Afraid Lotor?" Keith asked.

"Of you? HA!" Lotor responded. He again lunged at the Voltron Captain. This time Keith was ready. He blocked Lotor by a vicious judo chop to the chest. Lotor lay stunned for a moment.

Keith stood over him. "Done yet?"

Instead of responding, Lotor's hand moved to his chest. Faster than lightning, he pulled a dagger and threw it at Keith. The blade imbedded it's self in Keith's shoulder. Keith howled in pain, backing away. He glared at Lotor from across the room. Lotor got to his feet, grinning in victory. "Who's afraid now Keith?"

Keith reached up and pulled the knife from his shoulder. Except for a small hiss, he made no sound. Keith sent the knife clattering across the room, far out of Lotor's reach. "I'll never be afraid of you Lotor." Keith made his way closer to the prince.

Lance and Allura had found a squadron of Space Force soldiers. Lance immediately took command. "Follow me. The Captain is under attack." He turned to Allura. "You sure you don't want to stay here? They could get you somewhere safe."

Allura shook her head. "It's my home that's being destroyed. I'm going."

Lance shrugged then turned to the troops. "You heard her men. The Princess can take care of herself, but keep an eye on her just in case." They all ran off in the direction of the Gym.

Keith and Lotor had made their way into the Gym.

"Princess Allura will be mine Voltron Captain!" Lotor taunted.

"She will never be yours! She belongs to her people and her planet!" Keith yelled back. He tried to keep his temper in check. Anger is weakness. Both opponents were showing signs of wear. Lotor had a split lip, and one eye was swollen shut. He limped slightly due to a sharp kick from Keith. Keith fared little better. Blood dripped down his left arm thanks to Lotor's knife, and he too had a split lip.

"I will have her." Lotor said forcefully.

"Over my dead body." Keith replied.

Lotor smirked. "That can be arranged." He feinted towards Keith, trying to draw the young Captain out. Keith held his ground. Finally, Lotor attacked, rushing Keith. Keith jumped back at the last minute, at the same time administering a punch to Lotor's stomach. Lotor rolled across the room, and managed to get his hands back on one the Katanas hanging on the wall. Keith looked franticly for a weapon. His gun was too far out of reach. Lotor advanced towards Keith, the sword held out in front of him. "Give up, and I might just spare you. Then again, I might not."

"Kiss my ass Lotor."

Lotor growled and threw himself at Keith. Keith desperately tried to stay away from the sword. At one point, Lotor managed to give Keith a thin slice across his chest. Keith kicked his legs out, and knocked them both to the floor.

Keith got to his feet first, and grabbed another Katana off the wall. He watched Lotor stand and retrieve his sword. "Seems like old times, eh Lotor." Keith grinned.

Lotor snarled and advanced on Keith. He swung the sword wildly, trying to knock the Voltron Captain off balance. Keith easily side stepped and slashed at Lotor's face. The Druhle prince yelled, and backed off.

They circled each other warily. Where the hell is Lance! Keith's shoulder was throbbing from the knife wound. "Had enough Lotor?"

"She will be mine!" Lotor hollered and attacked.

Keith waited until Lotor got close, then swung his sword out, connecting with Lotor's wrist. The Katanas flew out of both of their hands. Before Lotor could recover, Keith launched himself at the evil prince, knocking him to the floor. Keith grabbed Lotor by the throat, and punched him hard, in the face. Lotor lay back, groaning, unable to get to his feet. Keith knelt over him, breathing heavily.

Suddenly, Lance, Allura, and two Space Force Soldiers appeared. "Keith!" Allura cried, rushing towards him.

Lance grabbed her arm, keeping her from getting close to Lotor. "No way Princess." He turned to one of the soldiers. "Watch her." Lance and the other soldier walked over to Keith and Lotor. "Cap. Need a hand?" He held out his arm for Keith.

Keith pulled himself up. "Thanks." He nodded to the soldier. "Lock him in the brig. We'll let Galaxy Garrison deal with him." Keith pointedly turned away from Lotor. The soldier bent down to help the Druhle prince to his feet. Lotor stood dejectedly, looking at the floor. Keith walked over to Allura and took her in his arms. "It's over."

She held him tightly, then stepped back to look closely at him. "We sent the rest of the troops to finish off the last of the robots."

Lance joined them. "Hunk and Pidge should be landing soon. Coran has communications back up. The other Voltron Force took care of the two Robeasts, and managed to destroy Lotor's command ship." Lance smiled evilly at Lotor. Lotor still didn't move.

"Let's go get you patched up." Allura took Keith's hand and started leading him out the door.

Out of the corner of his eye, Keith saw movement. Lotor delivered a violent chop to his guard's face, knocking the man to the ground. In the same instant, Lotor grabbed the soldier's gun. "If I can't have her, no one will!" He fired off a shot at the Princess. Keith threw himself over Allura, grabbing her gun. He felt Lotor's shot hit him high in the back. He fell to his knees, but managed to keep his grip on the gun. Whirling around, he and Lance fired simultaneously. Lotor fell.

Keith slowly got to his feet, walked and stood over Lotor. He held his gun out at the evil prince's head. "I'll kill you." He said quietly. Lotor looked up at him, his blue face a picture of terror. Blood was covering Lotor's chest from the laser wounds. He stared into Keith's icy expression. Lotor gave a shudder, and passed out.

Lance stood next to him. "Keith. Don't do this." Keith didn't answer. Lance was afraid at the lack of emotion in his Captain's eyes.

Allura ran over and tried to get Keith to look at her. "Keith! My love! Give Lance the gun! Don't let Lotor do this to you!" She pleaded desperately.

Keith didn't move.

"You heard her Cap. Just give me the gun, nice and easy." Lance said, trying not to panic himself. He'd never seen Keith like this, so cold and emotionless.

"Keith! Keith! Don't do this! He's an animal, you said it yourself! Don't sink to his level. Keith, please!" Allura begged, trying to get through to him. Tears began running down her cheeks.

Keith's hand started to shake. His finger tightened on the trigger. "Keith. Give me the gun. Now." Lance demanded, more frightened now than he had ever been in battle.

Keith held his position for a moment more. Then he looked up. Allura's blue eyes were filled with tears. His whole body started to tremble. "Allura….." Keith started. He loosened his grip on his gun. Lance quickly took it from him. Then Keith's eyes rolled up into his head, and everything went dark. Lance caught him before he could hit the ground.