Keith stood and screamed as he watched in horror as the Galra cruiser ship exploded. His hand slammed against the console as he looked down and closed his eyes tightly, tears threatening to fall. Even though he had seen the green streak he didn't understand what he had just seen. It couldn't have been the Green Lion. All five Lions were gone But she did summon her Bayard. No, it wasn't possible. Just a fluke. He sat, his form slumping in defeat. It couldn't be. She said shed be alright! Anger now coursed through him as he looked up to see there was a message notification. Keith looked at Lindsey who only weakly shrugged. She hadn't seen the green streak either she was focused on Keith. Keith tapped on the notification. It was an audio message, it was live, and it was from Pidge!

"Finally! I thought you'd never answer!" The Green Paladin stated. Keith's eyes widened as he answered back immediately.

"P...Pidge!? But, H how!?" He exclaimed.

"I don't know it myself, but the Green Lion saved me."

"Wait Pidge, did you say, The Green Lion!?"

"Yeah, I did! But something isn't right. All of its systems are out of whack. I can't seem to do anything. I have no visual communications and I have limited propulsion. Other than basic life support, almost everything is damaged and will need to be repaired. It's almost like it was in a battle recently. Quisnak, comms are shutting down. I'll meet you at Altea. Coran will want to see this. With that there was static and then nothing. Keith tried to get back in contact but it didn't work. He sighed, frustrated yet relieved.

Keith looked over at Lindsey who smiled weakly. Right, she needed medical attention. Altea wasnt that far off. It would take a day or so to make it. He set the ship on autopilot and contacted Kolivan to let him know the plan. They would reconvene on Altea. He sat back in the pilots seat and sighed. Right, time to take stock in what he had on the ship. He looked over at his childhood friend who was on the verge of passing out. Keith quickly stood and went into the room that was off to the side. It was a small cabin for longer voyages, it held a small double bed and built into the walls were shelves and drawers for clothing. It was bare, even though it was his personal ship. Being the Leader of the Blades of Marmora did have some benefits. He looked around the small room quickly, it was immaculate and clean. Keith turned down the blankets and fluffed the pillow and nodded to himself. It wasnt much, but he had hoped she could at least get some rest.

"Lindsey." he said as he walked out from the small room. She looked at him weakly, not saying anything. He took that as his cue to quickly make his way to her.

"Just hang on to me, ok? I'll make you comfortable. Don't worry about anything just get some rest." Even though she had seemed like she was asleep in that chamber it seemed it was more of a status. Her energy had not been replenished as if she had been sleeping and the little adventure she had just after waking up must have drained her of the rest of her strength. He picked her up bridal style as she quickly fell asleep in his arms. Keith smiled and shook his head as he walked her into the room and placed her gently on the bed. He pulled the covers out from underneath her and placed them over her gently. He took a moment and studied her features as she slept. No not creepy at all Keith!

Her skin was fair and pale. More so than it used to be. Most likely from being in that damn pod. Her frame was thin and looked gentle but she was still just as beautiful as he remembered. If not, more so. They had grown into adults after all. He sat on the edge of the bed. Dare he? Was her hair as soft as he remembered? His eyes traveled to her lips. They seemed dry and chapped. Completely unlike how they used to be. Though they had never kissed he had wished they did. He never got that chance. Coward, he thought to himself. His eyes went to her covered form. She as so thin and she wasn't that tall. Maybe five feet five inches at best. Was this the state she was in when they took her? Was her condition due to being in that damn tube? Or, was it from the experiments done on her? It didn't matter. What mattered was getting her healthy again and finding out why the Green Lion appeared and why it was in such terrible shape. He finally reached out with his hand and began to stroke her hair gently. It was coarse and brittle. Keith was slightly taken a back as he he looked at her face again and noticed her eyes were sunken in slightly and had dark circles under them. She was in worse shape than he thought. He leaned forward and lifted her bangs, kissing her forehead gently.

It was the only kiss they had ever shared when they were younger. She would kiss him on the forehead when he was sick or upset. It usually either made him feel better or it would calm him down. She always took care of him. My turn. He thought to himself. Keith caressed her cheek gently before standing and leaving the room. He turned to look at her once more, before pressing the button to close the door.

--

FLASHBACK

Keith laid in his bed. He had to be about 1ten or eleven years old. His arms were stretched out behind his head as he stared blankly at the ceiling. He sighed and grunted as he turned to his side. Why did his dad have to go and die on him? Why hadn't his mother ever come for him? Now he was stuck in this home. That was just a glorified named for it though. It was more of an orphanage. The people didn't really care about him or the other kids they cared for. They had the bare minimal necessities. What's worse is there were rumors that yet another poor kid was joining them. Was tonight the night she was arriving? A girl, huh? He wondered about her age and what she had been through, or if her parents simply didn't want her. Like his mother. He turns again, this time looking at the open door to hear the two adults talking about where to stick her. The light from the hallway was bright so it skewed his vision but he saw her small frame. She held a single small sailor moon suitcase in front of her as she simply looked down. His eye lids felt heavy as he fell sleep.

When morning came, he finally had a proper look at her as she was introduced. Her name was Lindsey and she was there because her father didn't want her and her mother had died recently. Hm. Sounded a lot like his situation. He took a good look at her now since he couldn't last night. Her frame was indeed small but she was cute. Really cute. Her deep royal purple eyes would probably have sparkled normally but they were flat and held a deep sadness. Her skin was fair and pale but her cheeks held a slightly blush then his eyes met hers. He blushed too, but tried to hide it by looking down at his sorry excuse for a breakfast. Once he was sure wasn't looking at him anymore, he lifted his gaze once more. Her hair was a raven black but had a hint of a purple shine in it. If she properly bathed, he was sure her hair would be even more beautiful. He shook his head. What was he thinking? He had no interest in girls or anything really. He just wanted out of that home. But he felt a sort of connection to her due to their similar circumstances. He watched as she was told to sit with the other two girls there. There were eight kids in total not including her. Six of the kids were boys and two were girls.

After breakfast it was time for school. She didn't go as the paperwork was still pending and she had to acclimate to her new home. Keith, climbed onto the bus but swiftly exited secretly through one of the windows. He was stealthy like that. A smug look on his face proved that he never got caught. He made his way back into the orphanage and to the girls side of the bedrooms where he heard her crying. He knew how she felt. Abandoned, lost, confused, and depressed. She had her back towards the door as he walked in, pants in his pants pockets. He sat on the edge of her bed. And just looked forward.

She turned towards him, tears in her eyes. He looked back at her. Her eyes looked as if they were used to crying. Her cheeks, puffy and red from the sobbing. She said nothing, but he just put a hand on her arm and mustered a smile.

--

A small notification alert woke him from his dozing. He sighed, that dream was a memory. A memory of when he first met her. How he couldn't keep his eyes of her. He wasn't even at that age yet where he was supposed to like girls. She intrigued him. He yawned and rubbed his eyes and tapped on the notification.

"Oh, hey Keith! Its me, Hunk!" proclaimed his culinary friend.

"I know who you are Hunk." He replied as he yawned. "What's up?"

"Well..., I was talking to Pidge and she said something interesting happened, and I wanted to hear it straight from you! So, you found a long-lost friend from when you were little? That's just so Great! So, what's she like? Can I meet her? where is she? Oh! And The Green lion coming outta nowhere!? How crazy is that!? Do you think the others will return too? I mean its a possibility but..." Hunk chuckled and rambled.

"Yeah, you heard right." Keith merely squeezed the bridge of his nose and sighed and interrupted him. He knew Hunk wouldn't shut up if he didn't interject. He groaned, but knew there were hardly ever secrets between any of the other Paladins.

"I honestly, have no idea about the other Lions, and she's sleeping right now. We're on our way to Altea. She needs some serious medical attention. If you want to learn about her, just come to Altea and meet her.

"Hahaha, yeah! Shay and I are on the way there too actually! Coran was able to get some rare ingredients. I'm going to experiment with them!" Hunk chuckled and waved goodbye to the raven-haired man. Keith sighed and slumped in his seat and looked at the clock. He was dozing a lot longer than he thought. He looked up to see the rings of Altea coming into view. He set the ship to auto-land in the designated place and stood. Keith stretched and walked to the door to his cabin where his childhood friend now grown as asleep in his bed. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed thinking to the dream he had of the memories before pressing the button to open the door and wake her up for the descent to Altea.

Chapter end.