The staircase led deep down into the cave. The stairs never ending as Lance and Blue climbed down them. He counted each one as he went down, and eventually he lost count.

Lance eventually reached the bottom of the stairs and ahead was a doorway which led to a room. Upon entering the room, Lance was met with treasures beyond his imagination. The treasures were all made of gold and were piled high into many piles scattered around the room.

"Wow!" he exclaimed catching Blue's attention. Blue's eyes widened at the treasure "just a handful of this stuff would make me richer than the King!" Blue jumped off Lance and headed towards one of the treasure piles. "Blue!" Blue stopped running mid-way landing on her paws on a green rug. She stared back at Lanced confused "remember what the lion told us, don't. touch. anything," with each word Blue flinched back her ears folding down.

"We have to find that lamp," Blue stared at Lance sadly before taking a glance at the treasure and then following her master onwards. "But where is it? This place is massive, it could take days to find it."

Unknown to Lance and Blue the green and white rug she was previously on lifted off the ground and slowly began to follow them through the room. Blue got a strange feeling and turned around, only to see the same carpet that she landed on earlier behind her on the ground. Blue, still suspicious, turned and kept walking behind Lance, who was looking around for the lamp.

The rug once again began to lift off the ground and fly behind Blue. Blue caught something in the corner of her eyes and turned around once more. The rug leaned against a small broken pillar and rolled itself up. Blue glanced at the rug and slowly backed up before taking off towards Lance and grabbing his pant leg with her teeth. Lance turned around and glanced at Blue who motioned her head towards the rug.

"Blue, will you knock it off?" Lance turned and continued walking. Blue stared sadly at her master, that look turned to anger and soon she followed grumpily after Lance.

The rug once more flew behind Blue and without notice she turned around, the rug flying beside her out of her view. Lowing one of its tassels the rug pulled her tail making Blue turn around and the rug flew out of her view again. With Blue turned around the rug reached down and pulled her small black hat off her head and put the hat on its head and lowered onto the ground.

Blue turned around and to get her attention the carpet waved a tassel beside her. She turned around and yelped running over to Lance knocking on the ground. The carpet in shock also ran but in the other direction hiding behind. Blue turned Lance to face the way the carpet was. "Blue!" Blue jumped on his back. "Get off!" Blue bit a clump of Lance's hair in her mouth and lifted his head to stare at the carpet.

Said carpet peaked its head out of its hiding spot. Lance's eyes widened.

"Woah, a magic carpet?" Lance held a hand out with a gentle smile. "Hey, don't worry," the carpet seemed reluctant. "Don't worry, unlike Blue here I don't bite," Lance continued. The carpet went out of its hiding spot and picked up Blue's fallen hat off the ground, dusting the sand off it. The carpet approached the two and held the hat out to Blue who yelped and hid behind Lance's head before letting out a low growl.

"Calm down Blue, he's just giving you your hat back," the carpet stopped for a moment and then a puff of smoke suddenly vanished. In its place stood a girl.

"That's she to you," Lance blinked a few times and grabbed the hat from the girl's hands and placed it back on Blue's head.

"Thanks," Lance said with a nod.

The girl looked to be about 15 years old. She was shorter than Lance and had pale skin, long light brown hair that was tied into a ponytail, and brown eyes. She was dressed in black capris pants, a green tunic with a high to low skirt to the side, a black belt around her waist, and grey flats. She also wore a lighter green headband with a dark green jewel on it.

Blue made a few noises at her but the girl just smiled gently.

"Sorry about scaring your lion there," the girl said and then turned around and started walking. "I'll leave you to your business."

"Wait!" the girl turned around.

"What's your name?"

"Katie, but everyone calls me Pidge," Lance smiled.

"My name is Lance and this is Blue, maybe you can help us?"

"With what?" Pidge asked walking back over.

"I'm trying to find something, a lamp," Pidge smiled. "We're a little lost."

"I know exactly what you're looking for," she walked past Lance changing back into the green carpet.

She motioned her tassel and flew off with Lance and Blue following her. Pidge led them through a long cave with huge spikes growing from the ceiling.

A few minutes later and Lance was squeezing through a doorway with Blue following. Once they were through Pidge changed back into her human form.

"I believe that is the lamp you're looking for," Lance glanced up and saw the lamp. Pidge turned back to her carpet form which confused Lance but he shook it off.

The lamp sat on a tall pillar of rocks with a set of stairs leading up to it. Surrounding the stairs and pillar sat a body of water, uneven rocks formed a bridge. At the top of the pillar was a beam of light, beaming down onto the lamp. Blue jumped off his shoulder as Lance began towards the bridge.

"Wait here, I'll be right back," he told Blue who nodded. Lance began crossing the bridge and Blue sat down beside Pidge, who was watching Lance, looking around the large cave bored. A glance behind her and something caught her eyes. It was a statue of a golden lion holding its paws out. In its paws, it held a giant ruby. Blue became entranced by it and started to head towards it.

Lance had made it across the bridge and started climbing up the stairs. Pidge glanced around and caught sight of Blue heading towards the gem. Panic flooded her and she grabbed Blue's tail trying to hold her back.

Lance finally got to the top of the stairs and headed towards the lamp. He picked it up gently and turned it around taking a good look at it. The lamp wasn't very big but it also wasn't very small either, it was a golden colour that designs on the top and the bottom.

"This is it? It doesn't look like anything special, why does that-" Lance went to glance at Blue and Pidge only to see Pidge trying to hold Blue back from grabbing the jewel. Blue's tail slipped out of Pidge's tassels and she lunged towards the jewel. "Blue! No!" Blue grabbed the jewel with her teeth pulling it off the statue. There was a rumble and the cave began to shake.

"You have disobeyed the rule!" the lion roared. Blue flinched and whimpered. "You have touched what was not yours to touch!" Blue placed the ruby back on the statue but both ended up melting into lava. "Now you will never again see the light of day!" the rock that the lamp was on ended up exploding and lava spilled up into the air.

Lance jumped off and started running down the stairs. The stairs ended up falling apart and made a ramp which Lance slid down. One part of the ramp broke up and Lance was tossed into the air and landed on the ramp once more. At the end of the ramp, Lance was tossed into the air and towards the water. Which now had turned into boiling hot lava. He would have fallen in, if it had not been for Pidge who flew and caught in just in time.

"Thanks Pidge, I owe you one," Pidge flew between two rocks and made a u-turn. Lance glanced down to see Blue jumping on the rocks, which were quickly exploding on either side. As if reading his mind Pidge flew faster and before the rock Blue was on exploding Lance picked her up and pulled her onto the carpet. Lance glanced behind and his eyes widened as a lava wave started rolling after them.

"Woah Pidge let's move!" they dodged falling spikes and rocks as they fell into the lava and flew through the save they entered through earlier. The lava following and gaining on them quickly. A falling rock almost hit Lance but he ducked down just in time. The rock landing in the lava.

As Lance sat back up his and Blue's eyes widened seeing a wall ahead and started panicking. Pidge went into a dive just in time both Lance and Blue screaming as they dove and turned entering through another cave and popping out the other side.

Outside Lotor watched as the save began to close and descend back into the sand dune slowly.

"Come on boy, hurry up," he growled.

The staircase began collapsing and Pidge dodged falling rocks and lava exploding trying to get her new friends out of the cave and into safety. Lance sighed in relief seeing that they were almost out.

However a rock fell and hit Pidge knocking Lance and Blue off and Pidge falling to the ground pinned under the boulder. Lance flew and grabbed onto the ledge which used to be the staircase. Lance glanced up seeing the old man.

"Help me up!" Lotor held a hand out.

"Throw me the lamp!" he yelled back.

"I'm slipping! Give me your hand!" Lotor growled and held his hand out further.

"Hand me the lamp first!" Lance reached into his vest and pulled out the lamp. He reached up as far as he could and held the lamp out to Lotor who reached down and grabbed it standing up straight and letting out an evil laugh holding the lamp above his head. "Yes!"

With help from Blue, Lance had almost climbed out fully. Lotor turned back to Lance and kicked the lion cub out of the way. He grabbed Lance's arm and pulled him up.

"What are you doing?" Lance cried out trying to free his arm.

"You wanted your reward didn't you?" Lotor pulled out a small dagger with a wicked smile. "Well here it is!" he spoke in his normal voice.

Lance's eyes widened and flinched his eyes shut. Blue jumped onto Lotor's arm and bit down hard making Lotor cry out in pain and let go of the dagger but he also let go of Lance. Lance fell back into the cave with a yell. Lotor grabbed Blue and tossed her in as well.

Lance yelled in pain as he hit the cave wall hitting his head and knocking him unconscious. Pidge pulled herself free from the rock, finally, and flew up catching Lance and Blue as they continued falling rocks landing on them.

Lotor watched as the cave descended becoming a dune again. He laughed and ripped the fake beard he had on off and stood up. Sendak flew out and breathed in the sweet smell of fresh air. Lotor chuckled.

"Finally! It's mine!" he reached into the coat pocket and went to pull the lamp out of the pocket. Except he pulled out nothing. "Wait. Where is it?" Realization hit him and he dropped to his knees

"Nooooo!"

"You dropped it!?" Sendak yelled. "ALL THAT WORK FOR NOTHING?"

Meanwhile back at the palace, Keith was sitting in his room with Red. Red had carried him to his bedroom and sat down on the bed, laying his head on his lap as she ran her fingers through his hair. Black, Shiro's lion had joined them a little while after.

Black had pale skin, yellow eyes, and long black tied into a ponytail over her shoulder with grey ribbons. Her dress was black and grey with thick black straps, and she wore white shoes. She also wore a black necklace like Red's, gold cuffs around her wrists, grey teardrop earrings, and a gold headpiece with grey jewels.

Black had overheard what happened to the boy in the market and came to check on Keith. She was concerned seeing as the Prince was just lying on Red's lap staring at the wall with dull eyes. She wasn't as close as Red was to the boy but she cared for him all the same.

After all, after his mother and his aunt disappeared, the two lions had to help Shiro raise Keith.

She sat behind Keith and gently rubbed the boy's back as he lay curled under his blanket, Keith leaning back into her comfort.

Shiro was furious when he learned Keith had escaped the palace and was found by the guards in the marketplace. He couldn't believe his son had just up and ran away. Sure, Keith was upset at the thought of marrying someone he didn't love. But to run away? That would solve nothing. All it would do would worry Shiro.

After all, Keith was all he had left of Adam.

Shiro quietly entered Keith's chambers and his eyes widened seeing his son lying on Red's lap, dried tear tracks on his cheeks, his eyes red and puffy. Wrapped in his favourite red blanket.

"Keith?" Shiro said quietly, Keith slowly sat up and wiped his eyes, flinching at the crust around his eyes from where his tears had dried up. Shiro walked in with a sigh.

"Dad," Keith whimpered as Shiro headed over. Red and Black moved over and Shiro sat beside Keith on the bed.

"What's wrong?" Shiro asked gently in concern. Keith hadn't cried since his mother disappeared when he was 4 years old. And then when his aunt Allura disappeared trying to find Adam. Shiro still remembered that first night after the search to find Adam had been called off.

*Flashback*

"Can I do anything for you, Your Majesty?" Kolivan asked. Shiro let out a soft sigh and shook his head.

"No, thank you Kolivan," Shiro said softly. "That will be all."

"Of course," Kolivan said with a bow, a frown on his face. "I'll take my leave then, good night Your Majesty."

Kolivan then left Shiro alone in his study, shivering at the solemn mood that blanketed the palace.

A few moments later, Shiro left his study and slowly headed back to his chambers. His eyes caught the photo frame on the desk, a drawing of him and Adam on their wedding day. His heart clenched and Shiro forced himself to turn away from the photo.

"NOO!" a familiar voice called out in the hallway. Shiro turned just as the door burst open and in ran his son, Keith. Behind him was Allura, Adam's older sister.

"Keith!" Allura called out trying to grab onto the boy. However, Keith dodged her arm and ran to his father, hugging his legs tightly.

"Keith? What's wrong?" Shiro asked softly, pulling his son's arms off his legs and kneeling down in front of him.

"I apologize Shiro," Allura said with a sigh, huffing a bang out of her eyes. "He ran when I wasn't looking and we ended up here."

"It's alright Allura," Shiro said with a soft smile. "I've got it from here."

"Later?" Allura asked giving Shiro an eye. Shiro nodded and Allura left the chambers.

Shiro turned back to Keith only to find him staring at something. Shiro turned and sighed softly seeing him staring at the photo frame of him and Adam.

"Did you find Mama yet?" Keith asked turning back to Shiro.

"We-" Shiro paused and let out another sigh. There was no point in lying to Keith, he was too smart for that. For only being 4 years old, he was smarter than other kids his age. "We never found him."

There was silence for a few moments before tears welled in Keith's eyes and slipped down his cheeks. Shiro was quick to gather Keith in his arms and sit on his and Adam's bed.

Adam was better at comfort than he was but Shiro would be there for his son. He couldn't completely replace Adam's presence but he would never give up.

A month later, Allura went off on her own to find her brother. Despite Shiro trying to stop her, she left anyways. She was only supposed to be gone for a week and then return to the palace. That was the deal they had set.

However, 2 weeks had passed and no one had heard from her nor had they seen her. Like Adam, she had disappeared without a trace.

When Shiro had told Keith the news, the 4 year old was completely distraught and clung to his father as he cried.

"Dad?" Keith asked tilting his head up to stare at his father.

"What is it?" Shiro asked as he leaned back against the wall, Keith laying across his lap as they lay on Keith's bed.

"You're not going to leave to are you?" Keith asked softly. "You're not gonna leave me here all alone right?"

Shiro's heart broke. With a shaky breath, Shiro gave Keith a soft smile and brushed the bangs out of Keith's eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere," Shiro said as tears slipped down his cheeks. "I promise," Shiro whispered softly as he kissed Keith's forehead softly.

"I'll never leave you."

*Flashback*

Keith turned to Shiro tears forming once again in his violet eyes.

"Lotor...he…" Keith choked out fresh tears falling down his cheeks as the memory of what he was told washed over him.

"Lotor? Keith, what happened?" Shiro asked, running his fingers through the raven's hair.

"He's done something terrible," Keith choked out before erupting into tears once more.

"Oh Keith," he spoke running his thumbs over Keith's cheeks and wiping the tears away. "Tell me what happened and we'll figure this out." Keith nodded and leaned against his father telling his story.

Starting with the marketplace.

Back in the cave, Lance lay on top of Pidge, unconscious still. Blue jumped beside him and nuzzled his shoulder gently. Lance stirred and gave a soft moan, Pidge hearing this started to fly up lifting Lance up slowly as he started to wake up his head pounding.

"Ow," Lance said rubbing his head gently, he glanced up and sighed seeing the cave sealed in. "Great, we're trapped," Lance grew angry and shook his fist at the sealed entrance. "That bastard!" Lance sighed and sat down properly. "Whoever that guy was, he's long gone now, and with that lamp he wanted."

Pidge changed back to her human form and smiled.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that one Lance," she said pulling the lamp out of her pocket.

"How did you?" Lance asked grabbing the lamp, Pidge smiled.

"I didn't, your lion there did," Lance turned to Blue who had a smile on her face.

"You furry little thief," Lance glanced at the lamp and sighed. "I don't see why he wanted this," Lance said staring at the lamp. "It's just an ordinary lamp." Upon closer inspection, Lance could make out writing on the side.

"Appearances can be misleading you know," Pidge said with a sigh as she brushed the dust off her clothes.

"Wait," Lance said as he studied the writing. "There's something written here."

Lance started rubbing it as Pidge and Blue watched. Suddenly golden smoke started to come out of the spout. The lamp also started to glow and shake. Lance held firmly onto the lamp and watched as someone or something started to come out of the lamp.

Lance, Blue, and Pidge watched as a person was formed. The person had tan skin, chestnut brown hair tied in a ponytail with his bangs lose, and brown eyes. He was dressed in a dark yellow shirt with elbow-length sleeves, a grey belt around his waist, and a yellowish-brown vest. Around his wrists were gold metal cuffs. The bottom half of his body was made of the same golden smoke that came from the lamp.

"Geez!" he yelled "You know being stuck in such a small space for a few thousand years can really crick up your neck!" The man grabbed Lance by the back of his vest and hung him on an outstretched rock. The man then grabbed his head and pulled it off his shoulder and spun it around before placing it back in its place. Pidge pulled Lance down and glanced back at the man. "Man! I'm glad to be out of there! I don't do well inside small spaces." A smile grew on Pidge's face and she waved her hand to the man.

"Hunk!" she yelled grabbing the man's attention, Hunk glanced down and a smile grew on his own face as he recognized the one who called his name.

"Pidge!' he yelled back grabbing her in a hug. Lance and Blue just stared at the two until Hunk put Pidge down. Hunk then grabbed the bottom of the smoke tail he had and used it as a microphone.

"Nice to be back to the outside world," He turned to Lance "Hi, I'm Hunk," he stuck the microphone in Lance's face who starred at the man like he was crazy. "What's your name?"

"I'm Lance," Lance spoke and Hunk smiled.

"Lance," he said as if discovering something new and huge. A neon sign appeared with Lance's name on it surrounded by chase lights. "Hello, Lance nice to have you on the show," Hunk smiled. "Can I call you Ance or how about just L or maybe Lancey?" The sign changing with each nickname Hunk listed off. Lance shook his head and rubbed his head.

"I must have hit my head harder than I thought," he spoke turning to Pidge who shrugged. "And please it's just Lance, never been one for nicknames."

"No nicknames, gotcha," Blue stared at the genie not sure how to respond to the newcomer. Hunk stared down at Lance looking him over. "You're a lot shorter than my last master," he spoke holding his hand above where Lance sat. "Either that or I'm taller than I used to be," Hunk said turning to Lance "I've been in there for 10, 000 years, so it's probably just me." Lance blinked a few times.

"Wait. Master?" Hunk nodded and slapped a graduation cap on his head and a diploma in his hand.

"That's right! You rubbed the lamp, therefore you are my master now," Hunk said with a nod.

"So, what do I get?"

"Anything you want," Hunk explained with a shrug. "I'm here to fulfil your wishes."

"Wishes? Like magic wishes?" Lance asked with wide eyes. Hunk nodded and held up three fingers

"3 wishes to be exact," Hunk said with a smile. "You can't wish for more wishes though, sorry." Lance chuckled. He turned to Blue who returned the playful look her master was giving her.

"Someone wake me, I'm dreaming," Pidge rolled her eyes.

"You probably shouldn't have said that," Lance turned to Pidge confused.

"Why?"

After Keith had told Shiro what had happened up until the boy in the marketplace had been put to death, Keith was utterly exhausted. His heart felt heavy.

Red and Black had busied themselves with tidying up Keith's bedroom while Keith told his story.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this Keith," Shiro said with a soft sigh.

"I'm sorry I left the palace," Keith said softly with a sniffle. "This wouldn't have happened if I didn't go out the palace walls."

"Don't worry about that now," Shiro said with a shake of his head. "What matters is that I make sure you're taken care of."

Keith was quiet and Shiro could see that he was struggling, his heart aching. He was never good with comfort, that was Adam's specialty. But now that he along with Adam's sister Allura were gone, the job was left to Shiro. Red did her best but nothing could replace the comfort of a parent.

Shiro let out a soft sigh and pulled Keith onto his lap, wrapping the red blanket tighter around him. Keith was confused as to what his dad was doing but his body was too exhausted to do anything about it.

However, his confusion faded away when his dad started to softly sing an all too familiar song.

"When the shadows unfold

When the sun hides its gold

When the wind and the cold come calling

When the path isn't clear

And the stars disappear

As an endless midnight's falling"

Keith glanced up at his father, warmth washing him. Warmth he hadn't felt in a while. He recognized the song, his mother used to sing it to him when he was upset or had a nightmare.

"At the edge of the sky

There's a moon hanging high

When you're lost

It'll try to remind you"

Shiro leaned back against the wall, Keith curling into his father's embrace.

Red and Black smiled softly as they listened to the song. It had been years since they had heard that lullaby. Not since, King Adam and disappeared, then Princess Allura later on.

"On a dark desert night

You can look to the light

Cause it's shining there

To find you"

As the song continued, Keith found himself singing along softly with his father.

"Desert moon light the way

Till the dark turns to day

Like a lamp in the lonely night

Bright and blue

Desert moon

Wild and free

Will it burn just for me?"

"Shine down," Red sang softly with a smile as she walked over to pick up Keith's crown off the bed and place it on the vanity.

"Shine down," Black repeated with a smile, closing the curtains to Keith's balcony.

"Till I find my way to you"

*Flashback*

"Mama!" a boy's called out, shaking Adam out of sleep. His husband slowly waking up as Adam got out of bed and headed to their son's bedroom, pulling on a robe as he did so.

"Keith?" Adam asked as he entered his son's bedroom. A frown appearing on his face as Keith ran off his bed and hugged his legs. "What's wrong love?"

"I had a nightmare," Keith answered, tears slipping down his cheeks. The 3 year old clung onto his mother tighter with a shiver. "I was all alone and I couldn't find you, you disappeared."

Adam smiled softly and knelt down to pick his son up into his arms.

"It was just a dream Keith," Adam said as he walked back to Keith's bed and sat down, sitting the boy onto his lap. "I'll always be here, I'll never leave you."

"You promise?" Keith asked softly, rubbing his nose with his sleeve. Adam nodded softly and grabbed a tissue from his robe pocket and used it to wipe Keith's nose.

"I promise," Adam replied. Keith seemed to calm down a little from his words but Adam could still see that Keith was shaken from his nightmare.

"Mama?" Keith asked softly, his violet eyes staring into Adam's brown eyes.

"What is it love?" Adam asked wiping his tears away with his thumb.

"Can you sing the lullaby?" Keith asked.

"Of course," Adam said with a smile, grabbing the red blanket Keith always had with him and wrapped his son up in it.

It was a clear night out, the stars were out and the moon was shining. Keith loved staring up at the stars and so Adam decided to venture out to the balcony.

"At the edge of the sky

There's a moon hanging high

When you're lost you can try the view"

Hearing his mother's voice, Keith started to calm down as he stared up at the stars. A soft smile forming on his face.

"Cause it waits for you there

And if you see it too

I can find my way"

Adam smiled as he heard Keith yawn softly, his son leaning his head down and laying it against his chest.

Adam slowly headed back into the bedroom and smiled seeing Shiro standing by the door, a smile on his face. Adam slowly lowered a now sleeping Keith back into his bed and tucked him back into bed.

"I can find my way"

Kissing Keith's forehead softly, Adam and Shiro then headed back to bed.

*Present Time*

Shiro smiled seeing Keith had fallen asleep. Gently, Shiro moved Keith until he was lying in his bed. Shiro climbed off his bed and covered Keith with the rest of his blankets.

"I can find my way

To you"

Shiro kissed Keith's forehead softly before he blew out of the candle by his bed, Red and Black doing the same to the other candles in the room.

The trio shared a nod before they left the Prince's bedroom.