They soon arrived at Keith's balcony, Pidge created a set of stairs and Keith slowly stepped off with Lance's help. As soon as the Prince was safely off, Pidge lowered herself down. Lance stood up so he was at eye level with the Prince.
"Good night, Lance," Keith said with a loving smile. "And thank you again for tonight."
"Sleep well Keith," Lance replied with a smile, the two started to lean closer, their faces growing closer. Pidge was finally tired of waiting and lifted Lance up. Lance and Keith's lips meeting, both of their eyes widened before they slowly relaxed and enjoyed the kiss.
When the need for air interrupted, they separated, smiles present on their faces. Keith slowly turned and walked to the curtains. He turned back to Lance and gave a small wave. Keith then entered his chambers, the curtains hiding him from Lance's view.
After a few moments, Lance remembered where he was and fell back onto Pidge.
"Yes!" Pidge then began to descend back to where their friends were. "I didn't expect that to go so well," Lance smiled as he glanced up to Keith's balcony. "Things are starting to look up." Suddenly hands ripped him off Pidge.
"Hey!" Lance cried out but before he could say anymore, a white cloth was tied around his mouth. "Blue!" Lance cried out, however, his words were muffled by the gag. Lance glanced up and saw Blue, Yellow, and Green hanging from a net tied around a tree branch.
He recognized the men as the palace guards. The guards shackled his wrists behind his back and shackled his ankles as well. One guard on his left side was knocked away by Pidge (who was still in carpet form), the knocked away guard recomposed himself and knotted Pidge around a nearby tree.
Lance from where he was, heard Green growl in response. As he struggled to get free, a staff was slammed on the ground a few feet in front of him, making Lance stop struggling. Lance glanced up and glared as he recognized the man as Lotor.
"I hate to interrupt your happy moment but I'm afraid you've overstayed your welcome here in Altea," he said with a smirk, Sendak sharing a similar smirk as he sat on Lotor's shoulder. "Take care of him and make sure he's never seen again," Lotor said as he walked away.
From behind, a guard struck Lance in the back of his head. Lance soon found himself unconscious. Blue whined as he watched her master being dragged away.
Lance woke up to one of the guards linking a rock to the chain around his ankles. He yelled muffled protests as the guards picked him up and tossed him over the edge of the cliff, down towards the ocean. As he fell, he could hear the guards laughing, before Kolivan yelled at them to leave.
Lance felt the impact of the water and tried to free his ankles from the rock. He fell deeper and deeper before finally hitting to bottom floor. Lance glanced up and watched his crown fall a few feet in front of him.
What landed beside it, was the lamp. It was attached to his belt, hidden by his cape. It must have come loose during the struggle of the guards tossing him over the cliff. If he could reach the lamp, he could get to Hunk. However, without hands, Lance couldn't reach it.
Lance tried to pull himself to the lamp, but the heavy rock was keeping him from doing so. Lance soon ran out of air and collapsed, the rock rolling down with him. When his body hit the floor, the lamp slid the few feet it needed to, closer to Lance.
His fingers twitched and soon the lamp shook and soon Hunk appeared with a yellow shower cap, a yellow bath brush, and a yellow rubber duckie.
"Every time, no time to myself," Hunk squeezed the duck with a sigh and then turned to the unconscious Lance. "Already buddy, what wish can I grant you now?" Hunk's eyes widened seeing Lance unconscious, and underwater. "Lance? Dude, snap out of it! Oh gods! I can't help this time, you need to use your wishes. You have to say "Hunk I want you to save my life," there are no more freebies remember?"
When Lance didn't respond, Hunk grew more desperate. He grabbed Lance by the shoulders and shook him softly "Oh my god! Come on Lance!" Lance still didn't respond. Hunk sighed "I'm just going to have to take that as a yes," Hunk's head then turned into a siren before turning into a submarine. Hunk grabbed Lance and the lamp and Lance's crown and then quickly sped to the surface.
Once they breached the surface, in a water spout Hunk climbed up to the cliff surface. He placed Lance down, who immediately started to cough the water out of his lungs.
"Dude! You can't scare me like that!" Hunk said with a sigh of relief.
"Hunk? I-" Lance couldn't find the words to say, so instead, he pulled Hunk into a hug. "Thanks Hunk," Hunk smiled. "I owe you one."
"Yeah, you do," Hunk grabbed Lance's hand and then started to fly back to the palace. "Back to the palace we go."
As soon as they arrived, Hunk placed Lance down on the ground. Yellow and Green ran up in their human forms.
"You're alright!" they yelled out at the same time. Lance nodded.
"Where's Blue and Pidge?" Green pointed to the tree.
"Blue was getting Pidge unknotted," At the sound of her name, a girl turned around. She had tanned skin, light blue hair which fell straight to her hips, golden eyes, and pink lips. She wore a short light blue dress with a white underdress. She wore yellow strapped sandals, around her neck was a golden necklace, light blue teardrop earrings, gold cuffs around her wrists, and a gold headband with a light blue jewel.
"Lance! You're alright!" the girl cried out a smile growing on her face as she walked up. Pidge followed in her human form.
"Blue?" the girl in question nodded. "You finally shifted!" Lance said with a smile. Blue nodded.
"Yeah," Blue said with a shrug. "It just sort of happened while I was trying to unknot Pidge from the tree."
"So what's the plan now?" Pidge asked. Lance glanced up to Keith's balcony.
"We're going to get some help.
Keith sat on his bed with Red behind him, brushing through his hair as he hummed the song he and Lance sung earlier. As soon as he got back, he told Red everything that happened. Black had joined them a little while later and was currently closing the balcony doors for the evening. The two lions were happy that the Prince was in such a good mood, now that he knew that Lance was the boy in the marketplace and that he was alive.
Red stopped brushing the knots out of his hair and stood up to place the brush back on the dresser.
"Keith!" Shiro called from the double doors of Keith's room. Keith stopped humming and turned to the doorway. Red and Black quickly curtsied to the King as Shiro slowly walked into the bedroom. Black, however, was quick to notice something wasn't quite right with Shiro.
"Dad! You won't believe what just happened," Shiro nodded, unknown to Keith he was hypnotized by Lotor. Keith climbed off his bed and walked towards Shiro, the smile ever present on his face. "I had the most wonderful time with Prince Lancee, I've never been happier," Keith said remembering to use Lance's cover name.
'Not a very good cover name, it's just adding an extra E to his name' Keith thought will a mental roll of his eyes.
"You should be happy," Shiro said in a monotone voice. "A suitor has been chosen for you finally." Keith stepped back a few feet in disbelief. Red and Black looking at each other in disbelief and confusion.
"What? Who?" he asked, the other door beside Shiro opened to reveal Lotor with Sendak on his shoulder. Grins on their faces.
"Since you have not chosen a suitor, the law says you must marry Lotor," Keith shook his head. Lotor's grin seemed to grow as fear grew in Keith's eyes. Keith was aware of the power that Lotor help with his magic, and the power he would have once he became King. Especially with that staff of his.
"I see you are speechless Highness," Lotor said grabbing Keith's hand, Keith shook his head and yanked his hand out of Lotor's.
"You can forget about all this, I will never marry you!" Keith ran up to his father "I choose Prince Lancee," Shiro just stared at his son, Lotor seemed to be speaking for him.
"I'm afraid that his Highness Prince Lancee has left Altea, Your Highness," Keith glared at the man.
"You're-"
"Are you so certain about that Lotor?" Lotor and Keith turned, relief grew in Keith while anger grew in Lotor.
"Prince Lancee," both Lotor and Sendak gasped in surprise.
"How in the he-," realizing he was talking Sendak went back to squawking. "Uh, awk!" Lance stomped over in anger.
"Why are you soaking wet?" Keith asked as he saw water dripping from Lance's clothes and hair. "What happened to you?"
"Yeah Lotor, what happened?" Lance spit stepping into Lotor's personal space. Lotor gave a nervous smile.
"I'm not sure why you're asking me this question," Lotor said with a nervous chuckle. "Perhaps you simply-"
"Lotor tried to have me killed," Lance interrupted with a glare to the advisor.
"What?" Lotor stepped onto Shiro's left side. "That is ridiculous Your Majesty," Lotor said placing a hand on Shiro's shoulder, Lotor brought his staff closer to the King. "He is obviously lying," Shiro responded, even more spaced out than before.
"Obviously...lying," seeing the glowing eyes on the staff, Lance felt anger grow in him.
"Dad, what's wrong with you?" Keith yelled trying to shake Shiro out of his trance. Lotor stepped away a smirk on his face. "This isn't like you."
"I know what's wrong!" Lance yelled grabbing Lotor's staff. "This!"
Lance smashed the staff on the ground. The head of the staff shattered, lights emitted from the staff and Keith, Lotor, and Sendak all flinched at the bright lights. Shiro's eyes returned to normal as the trance was broken.
"What…happened?" Shiro said as his consciousness came back to him. Lance walked up to the King, broken staff still in hand.
"What happened is Lotor has been controlling you the whole time, with his magic," Keith said placing a hand on his father's shoulder.
"And with this!" Lance handed the staff to Shiro who gripped it in his hands. Shiro turned to Lotor with a glare
"What?" Shiro asked. "Lotor! You traitor!" Shiro said as Lotor backed up with a nervous chuckle as Shiro, Lance, and Keith all started to advance on him and Sendak. Red and Black shifted to their lion forms and stopped him from backing up. "You're just like your father, a traitor!"
"This can all be explained Your Majesty," Shiro was having none of it.
"Guards! Guards!" Kolivan and his guards started to fill the room. Lotor now has nowhere to run.
"Yep, we're dead."
While Sendak was babbling on, Lotor caught a glimpse of the lamp which was back to being tied around his belt. Lotor made a move to grab it but was grabbed by two of the guards.
"Arrest Lotor at once!" Shiro ordered. Lotor growled as he was dragged from the room. "Take him to the dungeon and lock him up."
"Yes Your Majesty," the guards responded.
"This isn't the last you'll see of me!" he yelled pulling out a vial. "I'll be back!"
Lance's eyes widened and he started to run towards him. Lotor threw the vial on the ground, and in a cloud of dark purple smoke was gone, along with Lotor and Sendak. Everyone coughed as the smoke faded from the room.
"Kolivan I want him found and arrested," Kolivan nodded.
"At once Your Majesty," Kolivan and the two guards left the chambers.
"Black, please and go fetch Coran, tell him that he will be replacing Lotor's position," Shiro said turning to Black who had shifted to her human form. "Effective immediately."
"Yes Your Majesty," Black said leaving the room to go and fetch Coran.
"Keith are you all right?" Lance asked helping him stand up as he coughed the smoke still in his lungs. Keith nodded.
"I'm fine," the two leaned in to share a kiss. Shiro however, in anger, ended up walking between them. Black and Red shared a look of amusement as Keith and Lance leaned in once more.
"It's just like Zarkon all over again, I should have suspected something like this, he's just like his-" Shiro stopped rambling and turned back to the pair. His eyes widened. "Wait. Keith, have you?" Keith nodded a huge smile on his face.
"I have," Keith said. "I choose Prince Lancee."
"Oh thank god," Shiro said with a sigh of relief. After all his struggles, his son had finally found a suitor. "I'll have Coran make wedding preparations right away," Shiro said turning to Lance. "We'll have to prepare for when you become King as well Prince Lancee."
"King?" Lance repeated, Shiro nodded.
"Of course, you and Keith are both smart and kind people, the kind of Kings this kingdom needs." Lance could feel his heart splitting in two. He was happy that he would marry Keith, but taking the title of King when he wasn't really a prince? He couldn't help but feel guilty.
The door to Lotor's chambers slammed open and Lotor panted as he entered. Sendak flew off his shoulder and into the chamber.
"We're dead," Sendak said as he landed on the edge of the chair in Lotor's chambers. "So, any bright ideas now? My Lord?"
"Prince Lancee is nothing more than that street brat Lance," Lotor said and he banged his fist against the stone wall. "And he has that lamp."
"So, now what?" Sendak asked as a smile came to Lotor's face.
"I want you to go and get that lamp," Sendak stared at Lotor in confusion.
"Me?" Lotor nodded as the first phase of his new plan moved into action.
Lance sat on the railing that sat outside of the room he had been given by Shiro. He stared at the garden and sighed.
"King?" Lance said as he took his turban off. "They want me to be King?" Hunk popped out of the lamp and smiled.
"There's our conquering hero!" Pidge exclaimed as Lance trudged in. Blue, Yellow, and Green turned from their spot on the railing, currently in their human forms. Blue was still getting used to hers.
However, when Lance didn't respond, the group became worried. Hunk appeared in front of Lance and held his hands in front of him like a director would with a camera.
"Lance. You are the first to successfully win the heart of Crown Prince Keith!" Hunk exclaimed with a smile. "Anything to say to your fans?" Lance sighed and walked past Hunk. He tossed his crown down on the bed and fell on top with a sigh, the lamp landing on the bed as he tossed it off his belt. Blue stared at her master in worry, she had never seen him this upset before.
Hunk appeared at Lance's side with a script book titled 'Diamond in The Rough' and whispered to Lance.
"This is your line buddy," Hunk said trying to get Lance to say his line. "Remember? "Hunk, I grant you your freedom", remember that?" Hunk asked with a smile. "We went over this with the author when the fanfiction started production, wouldn't want to disappoint the readers now would we?"
"I'm sorry but I can't," Hunk scoffed and threw the book away.
"What are you talking about? It's easy just to say "Hunk I-" Lance shook his head and sat up.
"I'm serious Hunk," Lance said running his fingers through his head. "I'm sorry, really I am." Lance turned to Hunk and sighed.
"What do you mean? Now, what's wrong?"
"They want to make me King," Lance said before he rethought his sentence. "No, not me, Prince Lancee," Hunk shook his head.
"Is that so bad?"
"But without you and your magic, I'm just plain old Lance," Hunk sighed.
"But you won! Isn't that what you wanted?" Hunk said desperately.
"I only won because of the magic!" Lance shot back trying to make Hunk see things his way. "Keith may have found out I was alive but he doesn't know I'm not actually a Prince, and King Shiro doesn't know anything about me," Lance said pacing back and forth.
"But-"
"And what happens when they find out I'm not actually a Prince? What happens then?" Lance asked turning to Hunk with a frown. "I need you," Lance whispered softly. "I can't set you free."
"Figures as much," Hunk said with a roll of his eyes. "But, I understand," Hunk started to say, heavy sarcasm following his words. "You've lied to everyone else that I was starting to feel left out of the group. Now, if you'll excuse me, Master," Hunk shrunk down and eventually disappeared into the lamp. Pidge sighed and headed over to where the lions were sitting.
"You really should have just told him the truth Lance," she said climbing out the window. Green following, Yellow gave Lance a soft glare and followed the two. Blue stayed where she was, giving her master a worried expression. Lance sighed and picked up the lamp.
"Hunk, wait, I'm really sorry," a tongue popped out of the spout and blew a raspberry at him. Lance drew back and slammed the lamp down on the bed, burying it under one of the pillows. "Fine, then just stay in that lamp!" Lance glanced up to see Blue still watching him. "What?" he asked angrily, Blue whimpered at the anger and Lance felt guilt rush through him.
"Blue-," Blue shook her head softly and climbed out the window to join the others. "Wait, Blue! I'm sorry!" before he knew it Blue was gone, Pidge was gone, as was Yellow and Green. "What have I done?" Lance asked with a sigh. "They're right, I have to come clean."
Lance stood up and stared up at the palace with a sigh.
"Riffraff, Street rat
Would they think that
If they look much closer?
Still, I can't play a prince here
No, sirree"
Lance stared at his crown sadly before shaking his head and turning to stare at his reflection and was upset at who he saw. What he saw was not him. It was someone who lied his way up to get what he selfishly wanted. That wasn't who he was.
"Gotta tell the truth, I can't pretend
Even if it means this dream will end
Even if he walks away from me"
"Lancee?" Keith's voice called out from outside.
"Well," Lance said grabbing his crown and slipping it on. "Here we go." Lance then exited his guest chambers. "Keith? Where are you?"
"Over here!" Keith's voice called out. Lance turned in the direction of the voice and headed towards it.
As Lance left, Sendak took the chance to fly into the chambers and caught sight of the lamp under the pillow.
"Easier than I thought," Sendak said grabbing the lamp in his talons and flying back to Lotor.
Meanwhile, on top of a podium that overlooked Altea, Shiro was making an announcement to the kingdom.
Keith was behind the curtain looking around for Lance. He was now dressed in a pair of black pants, a red blouse, a black coat with dark yellow lining, dark brown shoes and a grey belt around his waist. On top of his head, he wore his crown.
"Any sign of him Coran?" Keith asked, Coran shook his head.
"Afraid not Your Highness, but don't worry we have the servants and the guards looking for him."
Coran had been quick to pick up the work Lotor was dealing with before he was relieved of his position. Coran had been working for his father ever since he got married to his mother, so Keith trusted him. The man was wearing a white shirt with gold trim, black pants, a gold belt, brown boots, and a light grey coat.
"People of Altea, My son has finally chosen a suitor!" the people cheered, Keith peeked behind the curtain.
"Keith?" called out a familiar voice. Keith turned and a smile of relief grew on his face.
"Lance, where have you been?" Keith asked as he pulled Lance up the stairs.
"I was looking for you when Kolivan found me and brought me here," Lance explained. "Keith, I have something I need to tell you."
"The whole kingdom has turned out for the big announcement," Lance's eyes widened. "Not my idea, my dad's, I tried to stop him."
"No! But Keith, listen to me, please!" Keith smiled and kissed his lips gently.
"You'll have to tell me after," Keith said as he fixed Lance's hair just as Coran pulled him to the curtains and then pushed Lance through the curtain where he landed beside Shiro.
"I present, Prince Lancee Ababwa!" the people cheered and Lance gave a nervous wave.
"Oh boy, this is gonna be a hard one," Lance muttered under his breath as Keith eventually joined him and Shiro onto the podium, followed by Red and Black. Lance's heart ached remembering Blue wasn't here.
Above gazing from a window Lotor and Sendak glared at the celebration.
"Disgusting," Senak said with a roll of his eyes. "Cheering for a fake Prince." Lotor rolled his eyes and turned away.
"Let them cheer, it will be over soon," Lotor raised the lamp and rubbed it until Hunk emerged from the lamp. His arms were crossed and he was clearly in a bad mood.
"You have the audacity to summon me after-" Hunk turned and stopped mid-sentence seeing the man before him was not Lance. "You are not Lance," Hunk pulled out a playbook and started flipping pages while shrinking down to Lotor's size. "Tonight, the role of Lance will be played by an evil cunning L'Oréal hair sponsored dark and sinister man," Lotor growled and grabbed Hunk's ponytail and threw him to the ground. Lotor then pinned Hunk to the ground with his foot on Hunk's cheek.
"I may not be Lance but I am your Master now," Hunk winched.
"Well the author never went over this scene with us," Hunk said with a shudder. "I was afraid you were going to say something like that."
"Now, for my first wish, I wish to shit high on the throne as King of Altea," Hunk sighed.
"Your wish is my command, Master."
"What's that?" Green asked as she noticed the sky turn dark. The group turned and their eyes widened seeing the palace surrounded by a swirl of dark purple clouds.
"Lance!" Blue exclaimed before turning back to the group. "We have to go back and help them."
"Get on!" Pidge yelled as she changed into her carpet form and the trio of lions climbed on. As soon as they did, Pidge took off towards the palace as fast as she could.
Outside, the celebration was cut short as dark purple clouds swirled around. The wind picked up and from the strength of the wind, the podium that the royals were standing on was ripped away. Lance covered Keith as protection.
"Whoa!" Shiro straightened himself and helped Lance and Keith up.
"What's happening?" Keith asked turning to his father, his eyes widening.
Suddenly Shiro's crown started to fly up, when he grabbed it Shiro lifted into the air. His clothes being stripped away, all except for his black and white striped boxer shorts. Lance handed Coran his cape and Corn quickly pinned it around Shiro, the cape acting as a skirt. A few feet away stood Lotor, the King's garments now on him. Including Shiro's crown. Shiro glared at the man.
"Lotor, you vile betrayer," Sendak landed on Lotor's shoulder. "You're just like your father!"
"That's King Vile Betrayer to you," Keith glared at the bird.
"I knew there was something about you," Lance stepped up beside Shiro.
"Oh, yeah? Well, we'll just see about that!" Lance went to grab the lamp from around his belt but his eyes widened as he realized the lamp was not there. Lotor gave a dark chuckle and pulled the lamp out of his sleeve.
"Looking for this, Your Highness?"
The group to find Hunk was now a giant version of himself, he leaned down and picked up the palace. Lance glanced around and seen Pidge flying with Blue, Green, and Yellow on top. The trio jumped off and Pidge flew by Lance. Lance jumped on and Pidge flew up to Hunk.
"Hunk, No! Don't!" Hunk sighed sadly, the palace still in his hands.
"I'm sorry," Hunk said with a frown. "I have a new Master now." Hunk placed the palace on top of a hill and Lance felt guilt swarm through him. This was all his fault.
"Lotor, as the King of Altea I order you to stop!" Lotor chuckled.
"If only you were King still but there's a new order now!" Lotor said adjusting the crown on his head. "You will all bow to me now," Keith stepped in front of his father, giving Lotor a harsh glare.
"We will never bow to you!" Sendak rolled his eyes.
"Why am I not surprised?" Lotor gave the Prince a harsh glare. "The hot-headed Prince always has something to say."
"Since you will not bow before a King then you will bow before a sorcerer!" Lotor turned to Hunk.
"Genie! My second wish!" Hunk turned to face Lotor. "I wish to become the most powerful sorcerer in the world!" Hunk sighed sadly and nodded.
"Your wish is my command," Hunk held a finger out, pointing it towards Lotor. Lance grabbed onto Hunk's finger and tried to pull his hand away.
"Hunk! stop!" Hunk, however, bound by his duty could not stop. Lotor laughed as he felt Hunk's magic rush through him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, a warm Altean welcome for Sorcerer Lotor!" Sendak yelled from where he was flying beside Keith and Shiro. Lotor with Hunk's magic had returned to his regular attire and his staff was now fixed and back in his possession.
"Now, what to do with you?" Lotor said turning to the two royals. "Ah, I know," Lotor hit Shiro and Keith with his magic, the spell forcing them to their knees and bow down before him. When Coran tried to help the two royals, he too was forced to bow down.
From behind Lotor heard the angry roars of Red and Black, he turned and zapped them with his magic.
"Down girls," the two lions now two lion cubs, black iron cages locking the two in one cage. Green and Yellow had joined the fight and from the other side tried to attack Lotor as well. However, they suffered the same fate as Red and Black and were now locked in a cage as well.
Lotor approached Keith and with the front of his staff, forced Keith's chin up. Their eyes meeting, Keith gave a glare as best he could.
"I have someone I think you're going to want to meet Your Highness," Lance took noticed and flew down towards the group.
"Lotor! Get your hands off him!" Lotor turned around and zapped Lance with his magic, stopped the prince where he was. Lotor forced Lance down on the ground. Lotor smiled
"Prince Lancee, yes, it is he
But not as you know him!
Read my lips and come to grips
With reality"
Lotor's magic forced Lance to hover, he then brought Keith closer. Lotor grabbed Keith's arm, the magic fading away
"Yes, meet a blast from your past
Whose lies were too good to last
Say "hello" to your precious Prince Lancee!"
Lotor struck Lance with magic, changing him back into his street clothes. While Keith already knew it was Lance but Shiro and Coran were surprised.
However, Keith was surprised when Lotor revealed that Lance was no Prince.
"Or should we call you street rat instead?" Sendak said flying around Keith.
"Yes, Lance was no Prince," Lotor said with a smile on his face. "But just a no-named street rat."
"Lance? Is that true?" Lance sighed.
"It is, I'm sorry," Lance said, avoiding the Prince's eyes. "I tried to tell you but-"
Before Lance could finish, Lotor stepped in once more, he forced the two apart with a smile.
"So Lancee turns out to be
Merely a street rat
Just a con, need I go on?
Take it from me"
Blue, in her lion form, came charging towards Lotor, a growl coming out of her. Lotor struck her with magic and froze her in place. Lotor then placed Lance and Blue in a pillar of dark purple magic.
"His personality flaws
Give me adequate cause
To send him packing on a one-way trip
So his prospects take a terminal dip
His assets frozen, the venue chosen
Is the ends of the earth, whoopee!
So long!"
Lotor then placed Lance and Blue in a pillar, Pidge jumped and flew up into the window. The bottom rumbled and soon the pillar was taking off like a rocket. Hunk stared sadly as the pillar flew away, he wanted to help, but he was bound to his new master.
"Ex-Prince Lancee!"
Keith helped his father stand up. The two backed up with Coran as Lotor drew closer. His shadow looming over them. Lotor was stuck in his own world as he laughed like a madman. The trio knew, that now, their lives were at the hands of a mad sorcerer with evil intentions.