"Why am I the one having to do the dirty work here?" Sendak said as he ran on a gear that connected to another wheel with a bar attached, which Sendak held on to as he ran. The wheels turning as he ran. The result created a storm on top of the contraption. "We can't just wait for a storm to come?" Lotor rolled his eyes.

"We haven't the time for that!" Lotor yelled placing Shiro's ring in the contraption. "The longer we wait, the longer our plans falls out of place."

"Then just summon one!" Sendak yelled with a roll of his eyes. "You have the power to, your mother gave you magic didn't she?"

"Quiet, and run faster."

"Whatever you say," Sendak ran faster and a lightning bolt went through the ring and passed through to an hourglass below. Inside the sand started to swirl around and Lotor watched the sand.

"Sands of time," Lotor said as the sands swirled as if a mini storm was inside the hourglass. "Present to me the one I search for," the sand in top forms the Cave of Wonders. The sand then fell to the bottom in a swirl and showed a picture of Lance climbing a ladder, and then turning around to help Keith up, Lotor laughed.

"That's him!?" Sendak yelled. "A no good common street rat!?" Sendak then all of a sudden lost his footing and got sucked into the gears. Lotor ignored the bird and smiled.

"We mustn't be fooled by appearances," Lotor said as Senak was shot out of the gears and flew past Lotor, crashing into the wall.

"So what's the plan to get him here?" Sendak said shaking his head a few times before landing on Lotor's shoulder.

"He was with the Prince," Lotor said as he started to head out of his lair. "I'll just tell the guards that he was kidnapped from the palace and have the guards arrest the boy, simple."

Lance turned to Keith with a smile.

"Almost there, I swear," Keith finished climbing up but before he got onto the rooftop, his shoe got caught and he tripped, falling straight into Lance's arms. Keith blushed and stood up his cheeks with a dusty rose, he cleared his throat straightening his cloak.

"I uh-thank you," Keith said as he and Lance continued on.

"First time in the marketplace?" Keith chuckled nervously.

"Is it that obvious that I am?" Lance smirked.

"Only a little bit," Lance smiled at Keith, Keith returning the smile. Lance realized what he was doing a shook his head "You're just lucky I was there to help you out of there," he laid down a plank for Keith to walk over.

Without him seeing Keith jumped over, using a nearby pole like Lance had done a few moments earlier. Lance turned around eyes wide, Keith chuckled.

"I'm a fast learner," Keith tossed the pole to Lance who grabbed it, his and Blue's mouth open in shock and surprise. Lance shook himself out of it.

"You look like one," Lance said with a smile. "This way," Lance grabbed Keith's hand and pulled him into the roof of a building. "Watch out for the pole, gets people every time," Lance said as Keith ducked to avoid the plank of wood blocking the way. Keith glanced at his hand which was still clasped in Lance's.

"Is this where you live?" he asked in astonishment, Lance nodded.

"Yep, it's just me and Blue," Lance said motioning to the lion cub, who ran in behind them. "It's not much but we get a great view of the palace," Lance let go of Keith's hand to pull back the torn curtain to reveal the palace in the setting sun glow.

"It is quite a view," Keith sighed softly.

"It must be wonderful to live in the palace," Lance said staring at the palace.

"Yeah, wonderful," he said sitting down. Lance leaned against the wall with Blue on the ledge beside him.

"I wonder what life is like in there," Lance said as he gently ran his fingers through Blue's fur. "Have servants waiting to grant your every wish." Keith rolled his eyes.

"Sure," Lance turned his head in Keith's direction. "People who also tell you where to go and how to dress," Lance chuckled.

"It's better than living off scraps and constantly running away from the guards," Lance said as Blue pawed an apple from their small bowl of apples, however, Lance took it from her. Blue growled softly as Lance walked away.

"Except that you're not free to make your own choices," Keith continued on.

"Sometimes you just feel so…" Lance said his back turned to Keith as he walked.

"You're just…"

"Trapped," they both said at the same time. Both glanced up and smiled at each other. Lance snapped out of it and grabbed the other apple from Blue, one once again growled, and rolled it down his arm to Keith who caught it with a smile.

"Wow, way to copy me," Lance said with a roll of his eyes as he playfully shoved Keith's shoulder.

"Copy you? I thought of it first," Keith retorted shoving Lance's shoulder back.

"Well, I said it first," Lance said, the pair having a stare down before bursting into laughter.

"I never did thank you for saving me," Keith said turning to Lance. "So, thank you, I guess."

"Well, that's what you do for a friend," Lance replied with a smile.

"Friend?" Keith asked tilting his head.

"What, don't tell me you've never had a friend before," Lance said with a soft laugh.

"My father is protective of me, ever since my mother and my aunt disappeared years ago," Keith said shaking his head softly. "I don't get out much, or at all."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Keith said as he sat down with a soft sigh. "I have Red by my side."

"Red?" Lance asked as he sat down beside Keith.

"She's been there since I was a baby," Keith said with a soft smile. "She's taken care of me since my dad is always so busy, especially after my mother and my aunt disappeared."

"I see," Lance said with a slow nod before he turned to Keith with a smile. "Well then, since I saved your hand from being cut off, I think that deems us friends," Lance said holding his hand out.

Keith was silent for a few moments before a small smile grew on his face.

"I guess it does," Keith replied shaking Lance's hand, his cheeks flushing softly.

"So, where are you from anyways?" Lance asked. "You're definitely sheltered from what I seen in the marketplace and from what you've just told me."

"It doesn't matter," Keith said with a shake of his head. "I ran away and there's no way in hell I'm going back."

"How come? Why run away from everything you've ever known?" Lance took a bit of the apple in his hand and handed it to Blue who growled. Blue saw Keith hadn't eaten his apple yet and smiled.

"Wouldn't you if your father was forcing you to get married?" Lance blinked a few times.

"Yeah, that sounds awful," Lance said with a frown. "I can see why you ran away," Lance saw Blue trying to get her mouth around Keith's apple and snapped at her "Blue!" Blue quickly ran away back to the ledge. Blue started making noises at Lance and Keith stared confused.

"What?"

"Well uh, Blue agrees with me," Blue stared at Lance like he was stupid. "She thinks it's not fair, you being forced to marry." Keith smiled.

"Did she now? Blue, said that?" Lance nodded.

"Of course, she did," Lance said with a smile. "What? You don't believe me?"

"And does Blue have anything else to say?"

"Of course she does," Lance said staring up at Blue who rolled her eyes. "She wishes she could help," Keith chuckled.

"Well, be sure to thank her kindness for me."

"I will," Lance said with a soft nod.

"So, I've told you my life story, what's-"

"Here you are!" Kolivan yelled breaking the two apart in shock and surprise. Blue yowled hid in her safe spot Lance told her to hide in just in case. Keith and Lance both stood up.

"They found me!" they turned to each other confused. "They found you?"

"Dammit Dad, you had to send the guards after me?" Keith spoke under his breath watching the guards trying to get past the beams and poles. Lance hopped onto the ledge and turned to Keith.

"Do you trust me?" Keith turned to Lance who held a hand out.

"What?"

"Do you trust me?" he repeated and Keith nodded slowly in confusion grabbing his hand.

"Yes?" Lance pulled him up onto the ledge.

"Then jump!" before Keith could protest Lance jumped pulling Keith with him. They ended up landing in a large pile of sand, Lance helped Keith off and they headed for the exit. Only to be blocked by Kolivan who smiled.

Kolivan grabbed Lance by his vest and pulled him up off the ground, Keith backed up afraid Kolivan would recognize him and send him back to the palace.

"We just can't stop running into each other can we?" Blue jumped on Kolivan's head off the beam of wood she was on knocking Lance out of his grip. Lance grabbed Keith's wrist and they ran to the exit only to be blocked they turned back hoping to run past Kolivan.

Kolivan pulled Blue off him and tossed the cub into a nearby pot the lid closing. Kolivan grabbed the back of Lance's vest and tossed him back to the guards who secured his arms.

"I told you that you wouldn't escape so easily," Kolivan said as he picked his sword up off the ground. "The dungeon is where you're going," Lance struggled to release his arms.

"Get off me!" he yelled still struggling.

Keith started throwing punches at Kolivan's arm with a heated glare.

"Let him go!" he snapped as Kolivan turned with a smirk.

"Well, well, well," another guard said as Kolivan tossed Keith to the ground. "Friend of yours?" the guard asked as he held onto Lance who continued to struggle. Keith had just about enough, he stood up pulling off his cloak hood.

"Unhand him, by order of Crown Prince Keith," Kolivan turned to snap at the boy but his eyes widened seeing it was indeed the prince and bowed down, his guards following suit which forced Lance to bow as well.

"Your Highness," Lance glanced up his eyes wide.

"The Crown Prince?" Kolivan stepped forwards.

"Your Highness, what are you doing out of the palace?" Kolivan asked sliding his sword into his belt. "And with this lowlife?" Keith glared at Kolivan.

"I don't believe that is your concern," Keith said which made Kolivan flinch at his raised voice. "Now unhand him!" Kolivan gave a nervous smile.

"If I could, I would Your Highness" Keith raised an eyebrow.

"Are you defying an order Kolivan?"

"Not at all Your Highness," Kolivan said with a wince, shaking his head. "But my order doesn't come from your father but instead from Lord Lotor," he nodded to the guards who dragged Lance away bowing as they went.

"Why is Lord Lotor ordering his arrest?"

"He said the boy kidnapped you, Your Highness," Kolivan said, turning to see the last of his men leaving.

"What?" Keith asked with wide eyes. "Where did he get that idea from?"

"I'm sorry Highness, if you want to know more, you'll have to speak to Lord Lotor about this. Keith glared and growled out watching Lance being taken away.

"Believe me," Keith said glaring up at the palace. "I intend to."

Lotor exited his secret chamber, he turned to close the door. It was night so he didn't really have to worry about anyone seeing him as most of the servants had retired for the night.

Keith entered the room and looked around before his eyes landing on Lotor.

"Lotor!" he yelled out getting the man's attention. Lotor turned around and smiled seeing the prince. He slammed the door shut behind him trapping Sendak.

"Your Highness," Lotor said with a forced smile. "What can I for you on this evening?" he said bowing extending his cape to hide Sendak.

"Lotor can't breathe," Sendak choked out, but Lotor ignored him.

"Mind explaining to me why you ordered the arrest of a boy from the marketplace?" Keith asked, stepping towards Lotor who smiled. "A boy who did nothing wrong."

"Well His Majesty has me in charge of keeping peace on the streets of Altea," Lotor said fixing his cape. "The boy was a criminal, otherwise he wouldn't have been arrested."

"And just what was his crime? Stealing a loaf of bread?" Keith asked with a glare. "Not everyone has the luxury of being able to buy food, especially with how Altea has gotten over the years."

"Lotor I can't breathe!" Sendak said once more, which was once again ignored.

"Well, that is one of his crimes," Lotor said with a sigh. "But he kidnapped the Crown Prince after all when your father found out, he ordered me to find you and arrest the culprit."

"If you could just-" Lotor kicked his foot back and knocked Sendak back into the room. "That hurt!" Keith shook his head.

"Where did you get that idea?" Keith asked with a roll of his eyes, Lotor was always making things up. "He didn't kidnap me, I ran away!" Lotor walked past the prince pretending to be shocked.

"Well Your Highness, if I had known, I wouldn't have ordered his arrest," Keith walked up to his side.

"You're hiding something," Keith accused with a glare. "What did you do to him?" Lotor turned to face Keith faking a sad look.

"Unfortunately Highness, his sentence has already been decided."

"And what sentence is that?" Lotor smiled softly.

"Death," Keith gasped covering his mouth with his hand stepping back a few steps. "He is to be beheaded before the midnight hour."

"No," Keith whispered out his eyes watering as he sat down on one of the plush chairs. Lotor moved behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "No."

"I am sorry Your Highness," Lotor said, hiding his grin. "If I had known-" Keith turned to Lotor with tears in his eyes, Lotor hiding his grin.

"You cold hearted monster," he whispered his voice breaking. "You're just like your father," Keith hissed as he took off and ran out of the room, soft cries escaping him. Sendak managed to get unstuck from the door and appeared on Lotor's shoulder wheezing for air.

"Well?" Sendak asked as he caught his breath. "How did it go?" Lotor turned to Sendak with a smile.

"I think he took the news rather well."

Red walked into the gardens, Keith's red blanket in her arms as she found Keith collapsed on the edge of the fountain sobbing into his arms. She frowned, not liking when her cub was crying and upset. She walked over and sat next to the crying Prince, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Black told me what happened," Red said softly. "Are you okay cub?" Keith looked up to find his only friend now. He wiped his tear-stained cheeks and turned to Red.

"He was innocent," Keith said as fresh tears continued to slip down his cheeks. "It's all my fault."

"Shh," Red said as she pulled him into her lap and ran her fingers through his hair, gently wrapping the red blanket around his chilled form.

"I didn't even know his name," Keith said through his sobs as Red started to rock him and hold him. "What kind of Prince am I? I got an innocent person killed."

Lance, who still had a head attached, sat in the dungeon his hands chained to the wall with the only light coming from the moon through the window.

"I can't believe he was the Prince," Lance mentally kicked himself. "I must have sounded so stupid, saying how perfect life in the palace must be." A soft meow from above made Lance look up to the window and a smile grew on his face seeing Blue.

"Blue!" Blue jumped down and landed in front of Lance. Before she went to help him, Blue enlarged her eyes and strutted pretending to be the Prince. Lance chuckled.

"He was in trouble, what was I supposed to do? Let his arm be chopped off?" Lance asked with a sigh. Blue rolled her eyes and jumped onto the bar holding Lance's wrists in place and stuck her claw in to unlock them.

"I guess that was the last sight I'll ever see," Lance said with a sigh. "He has to marry someone of royal blood, it's the law." Blue rolled her eyes as she finally finished unlocking his wrists and jumped onto his lap and he straightening himself. Lance sighed rubbing his wrists "I'm a fool, aren't I?" he asked leaning his head back against the wall. "Thinking I could end up with the Prince, live happily ever after like in the fairytales."

"Only fools give up," Lance and Blue jumped and turned to the dark corner where an old man emerged. Lance hadn't seen the man earlier, or maybe he was just blind.

"Who are you?" Lance asked as the man hobbled his way over.

"A prisoner just like you," the man said stepping into the light of the moon. "But perhaps we can be more than souls waiting to die and be forgotten," the man rubbed his fingers together getting Lance's attention.

"I'm listening."

"Deep in the desert, lies a cave," Lance continued listening urging the man on.

"A cave?"

"They call it the Cave of Wonders."

"Cave of Wonders?"

"It's filled with treasures that can please any man or woman," the man pulled out a few rubies. Blue jumped onto Lance's shoulder as they stared at the rubies. The man then pulled his hand away putting the rubies away.

"Sounds too good to be true."

"Not so, I have a way to get there," the man said with a smile. "There's enough treasure in there to impress that Prince of yours." The man turned around and Sendak popped out of the hump on the back. The revealed to be Lotor in disguise.

"Lotor hurry it up I'm dying in here!" Lance interrupted.

"But the law says that he can only marry someone of royal blood," Lotor turned back to Lance getting up close. "And in case you haven't guessed, I'm not-"

"Never heard of the golden rule have you?" Lotor asked with a roll of his eyes. "He who holds the gold, makes the rules." Lance stood up and Lotor went behind him.

"So why share this treasure with me? Why not do it yourself and keep the treasure for yourself?" Lotor tapped his wooden stick against Lance's legs and tapped his back.

"I need someone young with a strong pair of legs and a strong back to go after it," Lance chuckled.

"I mean, I'd be more than happy to help you," Lance said with a shrug of his shoulders. "But it's out there and we're stuck in this dungeon."

"Don't fret, things aren't always what they appear to be," Lotor pushed a chunk of the brick wall to reveal a hidden exit. "So, deal?" Lotor asked holding his hand out to Lance. Lance turned to Blue with a smile who shrugged her shoulders.

With Lotor (still in disguise) on a horse and Lance leading the way, they made their way through the desert which was currently having a wind storm. Blue sat in front of Lotor on the horse as well. Following the man's directions they ended up at the Cave of Wonders, the white lion head already formed out of the dune.

As Lance approached, with blue hiding in his vest, the lion spoke.

"Who dares to disturb my slumber?"

"My name is Lance," Lance called out. The lion's head was silent for a few moments before it spoke again.

"You may proceed," the lion said as it stared down at Lance with glowing eyes. "But be warned, touch nothing but the lamp," with a roar the lion opened its mouth to reveal the staircase heading down.

"Remember," Lance turned back to Lotor. "Fetch me that lamp and I shall grant you your reward," Lance nodded and with a sigh he turned to Blue who nodded, though her eyes held fear.

To be honest, Lance himself was scared. But he did promise the old man he would get him the lamp from inside the cave.

"Come on Blue," he spoke stepping into the cave and heading down the stairs, his heart pumping madly the whole time.