Chapter 20
A/N: Alrighty! Next chapter is here! I really hope all've y'all are enjoying my story so far! Love hearing all your reviews and I hope to hear more! Just remember this is a fanfiction so some things don't need to fallow the canon version exactly.
/comms/
"Bold is intercom"
Flashback/private ghost-to-Guardian chat
"How soon will we reach the Blade of Marmora's base?" Shiro questioned.
"Based on the coordinates Ulaz gave us, we should be there in a few dobashes," Coran answered.
"Scans are picking up an anomaly in the area, might be similar to what was hiding the last base," Jaz commented.
"I can't wait to see it!" Pidge grinned. "I mean they were able to fold space-time, and that was just an outpost!"
"Mm, the space taco. It left us too soon," Hunk said and everyone glanced his direction as they heard his stomach grumble.
"Sure, but my point is imagine how awesome the home base will be!"
"Exactly! It could be anything! Like a space jelly-donut, or a long space éclair, or a space cheeze blintz with cerry sauce on top! Maybe a little powered-sugar dusting. That's the stars."
"Aw, now I'm hungry," Lance groaned.
"Guys," Keith sighed, sitting down. "This is a serious mission. We need to focus."
"We need to focus," Lance mocked.
Keith heard, but he didn't take the bait. He didn't feel like starting another petty squabble today, not with him finally getting close to some answers.
"The base is in range," Coran said.
"Take us in slowly," Shiro said turning away from the arguing teens.
"That might be a challenge," Jaz grimaced pointing dead ahead.
"Is that a black hole?!" Hunk exclaimed.
"No, no, no, no, no. It's two black holes and a giant blue star," Coran corrected.
"That's not better."
"No kidding," Pidge said. "Just inside a black hole, the temperature is one millionth od a degree above absolute zero. But outside that it's hundred of millions of degrees Celsius."
"Keith…are we even in the right place?" Yorak questioned sounding uncertain. "I mean, it doesn't look like there's enough room to fit a base, and even if there was they'd either be burnt to a crip by the star or get sucked into one of the black holes."
"Pionn't tho Rowuethen hewo tkii ntern unnupo it ut [Doesn't the Leviathan have two stars inside of it]?" Keith muttered quietly, thinking of the Cabalian warship that was said to destroy entire planets. "Tho beno kiyrp nyrwuwo iytnupo tho nter kiuth tho rught oqyupmont [The base could survive outside the star with the right equipment]."
"Uh…well…ok, you've got a point. But what about the black holes?"
"Muppro griynp [middle ground]?" Keith offered.
"So it's like when you try to nuke a frozen burrito in the microwave and it comes out all scorching hot on the outside but it's still frozen on the inside!" Hunk compared. "Right?"
"Now I'm hungry for lunch!" Lance whined.
"Hunk, please stop comparing things to food," Jaz grumbled, "otherwise I will walk straight down to the kitchen and eat that pizza you were working so hard to hide."
"YOU MADE PIZZA AND DIDN'T TELL ME?!" Lance exclaimed.
"Guys quiet!" Keith snapped standing up, stepping towards Shiro. "Coran, where's the base located?"
"In between those three deadly celestial objects," the advisor replied zooming in, and they could see a small, asteroid-sized base in front of the star, directly in the middle of the two black holes.
"Oh…guess you were right. Thought that does make sense because it's stuck between both black holes which hold it in place and keep it from falling into one or the other. Though I am curious to see how we get past the solar flares."
"The perfect defensive position," Jaz admired.
"Or the perfect trap," Allura contradicted.
"I'm with Allura, maybe we shouldn't, like, go in there at all."
"What are you talking about?!" Keith scoffed tossing a glare at them. They couldn't be serious? They came all this way and they were just going to leave without answers or even trying? Just because there was a risk? In case they hadn't noticed, every move they made was a risk; better to try and deal with the consequences than to not try and miss out on some potential allies. "We have to go in! This is the whole reason we came out here! There is no other option."
"Ok. Jeez, calm down," Lance said moving his hands as Keith turned away, glaring at the window.
"We've got an incoming communication," Jaz said pressing a button.
"Identify yourself."
"Are we responding?" the Awoken woman asked looking at Shiro.
The older man furrowed his brows for a split-second of contemplation before nodding, "Open a hailing frequency."
"It's open."
"We are the Paladins of Voltron, sent here by Ulaz," Shiro said going quiet as they all waited for a reply.
"Two may enter. Come unarmed," the voice replied before the frequency closed.
"Why would they insist we come unarmed?" Allura growled.
"Probably because they're just as worried about us attacking them because they're Galra as you're worried about them trying to trap us for Zarkon just because they're Galra," Jaz commented with a shrug.
Allura scowled but chose to ignore her, "Shiro, this doesn't feel right."
"We've come too far to turn back now."
"They just sent us a route to the base," Coran informed opening the file and projecting the path on the screen. "But we'll have to be quick. Because of the solar flares it's only open for another varga. Then it'll be closed for two quintants."
"They're gonna close it for two years?" Hunk gaped.
"Two days," Pidge and Jaz corrected simultaneously.
"Oh."
"So, any thoughts on who's gonna join you on this little mission?" Lance asked. "I'm thinking things might get a little hot, so you're gonna want someone who can stay cool."
Keith rolled his eyes, Lance? Stay calm in a dangerous situation? So far, he's panicked every single time, without fail. Traveler forbid Lance be the one to go on this mission, he'd probably try to flirt with one of the rebels and end up getting beat up or insulting them.
"You're right," Shiro said and Keith glanced at Jaz whom just shrugged looking just as confused. "Keith, you're coming with me."
Thank the light for small miracles.
"What?" Lance squaked getting in Shiro's face. "Keith's a hothead! He's probably going to shoot first and ask questions later! And they're not gonna be able to answer his questions because they'll be DEAD!"
"Yee have little faith," Yorak grumbled and Keith grunted in agreement.
The Black Paladin put his hand on Lance's shoulder and slowly pushed him back. "We haven't yet severed Zarkon's link with the Black Lion, so it has to stay here. And the Red Lion can withstand the heat from that star. So yes, it'll be Keith."
"The course to the base will be quite treacherous to say the least," Coran stated. "You're walking a razor's edge between the gravitiational pull of the black holes and that star. One false move and you'll either be crushed into infinity or burnt to a crisp."
"Well, if there's anyone that can do it, it's Keith!" Jaz said slapping her friend on the back before leaning in. "Jurnegon, nyke ȳdra daor gīmigon skoros's jāre va lēda ao, yn sepār ȳdra daor gaomagon mirros doru-borto [Look, I don't know what's going on with you, but just don't do anything stupid]," she chided before walking back to the console.
-.-
Keith flew Red towards the base watching the path and making adjustments as needed. This was it, he could finally get some answers to questions both his father and his own ghost refused to answer. He just needed to make sure Shiro dadn't catch on to his ulterior motives, Jaz was already suspiscious. But if this was true, he could explain it to her and she'd most likely understand considering the similar situation she had in regards to her own father.
Shiro on the other hand…it was a lot more complicated.
"Hey, Keith, what did Jaz tell you?" Shiro asked stepping up beside his seat, supporting himself with a hand on the wall.
"Nothing."
Out of the corner of his eye, Keith could see Shiro frown. He didn't believe him. "You sure everything's alright?"
"I'm fine."
"You kinda blew up at everybody back there," he stated.
Keith grit his teeth wishing Shiro would just drop the subject. It wasn't important and they really did need to learn when to fool around and when to focus. Making plans and major decisions, that required focus.
Shiro continued, unaware of his brother's current inner frustration, "You'll have to control your emotions of you're going to lead this team someday."
That was not what Keith was expecting him to say. "Lead the group?" he chuckled. Yeah, funny, good joke. Shiro was just trying to make him feel better after his little episode back on the bridge.
"When we were stranded I told you 'if anything ever happens to me, I want you to lead Voltron,'" he said, no trace of humor in his tone.
Keith felt his stomach drop. Good God, he was serious. "I thought you were just delirious with pain," he replied keeping his voice even. Nothing was going to happen, this wasn't necessary. "Why on Earth would you make me the leader?"
"Because I know what you're capable of," he said, "if you can learn some self discipline."
"Why are we even talking about this? Nothing's going to happen to you," he said tossing Shiro a scolding glare for thinking like that before focusing on flying again.
A hand came to rest on his shoulder. "It's just in case. I need you to get focused. When you and Allura ran off it put us all in jeopardy. It you're going to be a leader, you've got to get your head on straight."
"Said the gay pilot."
Traveler, Yorak now was not the time for sarcastic commentary. Keith took a slow breath to calm himself down. "Sorry. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"I know. We all have," Shiro agreed.
Shiro didn't even know the half of it.
"Keith!"
Hearing Yorak's call, Keith focused on flying again as the alarms went off. He didn't adjust far enough. "We're getting drawn in by one of the black holes."
"Get us out of here!"
"No, how about we fall in."
Keith turned Red and activated the thrusters, looping around an incoming asteroid. Locking back onto the path, he sped his lion through the closing solar flares.
"Great job. That was close."
"That's precisely why you don't distract the driver," Keith quipped under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said. Landing on the planetoid, they walked out trying to find an entrance. "Doesn't look like anything's here. Looks like a plain asteroid."
A rumble came from the ground and both Paladins turned as they heard something click. Two dark figures wearing the same uniform as Ulaz rose from the ground.
"Come with us," the larger on said.
Keith didn't hesitate before walking towards them, he was going to get answers here one way or another. Shiro fell into step behind him as they walked onto the platform with the two Blade agents. It began lowering into the elevator shaft, and the exit closed above them. Red sent a push of worry, seeming anxious, but Keith reassured her, he was going to be fine. He could heal faster than anyone, she knew that.
The elevator came to a stop and the door opened, revealing a line of soldiers on either side of the room leading to a singular form standing on a platform under the holographic symbol of the rebel group.
This was it.
They walked between the soldiers, up to the long figure wearing what Keith thought resembled a mix between a warlock's tunic and a hunter's cloak. "I am Kolivan, leader of the Blade of Marmora."
"My name is Shiro, and this is Keith. We are Paladins of Voltron."
"I know who you are."
"Why do you need us to announce ourselves then?" Yorak said.
"Then you know that we were sent by one of your own," Shiro replied.
"Ulaz was a fool to divulge this location to you," Kolivan stated coldly. "He had a penchant for ignoring orders and following his impulses."
"Doesn't that sound like someone we all know and love? Right Keith?" Yorak said and Keith felt an eyebrow twitch. Why was Yorak determined to drive him nuts?
"That's what got him killed."
"Ouch."
Apparently Shiro didn't like the commet either because his eyes blazed with fury. "He gave his life to save us! What he did brought us here today and Voltron is ready to assist you. Are we welcome here or not?"
"…You were told to come unarmed."
Red? Sure she was a weapon, but she was the biggest identification anyone could get. "You also told us to identify ourselves! The lions are as close as we get to an ID."
"If anything happens, believe me you'll be happy to have the Red Lion by your side," Shiro reassured trying to mediate the situation.
"I imagine we would," Kolivan said and Keith frowned, he didn't like that tone. "However, I wasn't referring to your beast."
Oh qogralbar.
Keith turned just as one of the masked agents grabbed his arm, pinned it behind his back and knocked his feet out fron under him. Pinning him on his stomach, pressure was placed on his arm. If he moved it would be broken.
Painful, but if it came down to it, he'd handle it.
"Keith!" Shiro called and he glanced up to see another restraining him.
Then there was the sound of a blade being unsheathed. "He has one of our blades," the one on his back snarled pressing harder. "Who did you steal this from?"
"I didn't! I've had it my whole life," he answered.
"Lies!"
"Can you corroborate your friend's statement?" Kolivan questioned looking to Shiro. "does this blade truly belong to him?"
"I…I don't know," Shiro stuttered looking at the scene in shock. He really shouldn't have been surprised Keith brought a weapon, he never went anywhere unarmed, but this…why did his brother have a Galra's blade?
"Shiro, you know me," Keith pleaded as he caught a flash of doubt in the other's eyes, "I promise you, I didn't steal it. I've had this knife as long as I can remember."
A hand pushed against his back, shoving him closer to the ground. "We can't trust them."
"I'm tellin' the truth!" he snapped pushing back a bit. "Ulaz had a knife like this. Tell me what it means."
"Our organization is built on secrecy and trust," Kolivan stated.
"That's not an answer."
"You two should leave, now."
The Galra let him up and Shiro darted over checking if he was ok quickly before turning his angered gaze back to Kolivan. "We came here to form an alliance, but obviously we're not welcome. Come on Keith, we're leaving."
Sorry Shiro, but Keith was going to disappoint this time. Steeling his resolve, he planted himself in place glaring up at this "Kolivan." "I'm not leaving without answers," he stated. "Somehow one of your knives ended up with me. Tell me how."
"Your friend is right. It is time for you to go."
"Where did it come from?" he demanded. "I have to know."
Kolivan remained quiet this time, and Keith swore if he told them to leave one more time he was going to get what he wanted the hard way. "You seek knowledge? There is only one way to attain knowledge here."
Now they were getting somewhere. "How?! I'll do it!"
"The Trials of Marmora. Should you survive, you may keep the blade and its secrets will be revealed."
"Survive?" Shiro scoffed storming over and grabbing Keith's shoulder. "Keith, this is crazy! If they're not going to help us, let's get out of here."
"I'm not going anywhere. I have to do this."
"Antok, give the boy the blade," Kolivan ordered.
Keith turned snatching his blade from the massive Galra that had pinned him. "We will meet again."
"Can't wait."
"These trials result in one of two things: knowledge or death."
-.-
Keith walked into an empty room wearing a thin suit that resembled the material the spies were wearing under their armor. Clutching his knife tightly, he glanced around for his opponent. Getting a strange feeling that these guys would understand his normal go-to languages given their talk with Ulaz, Keith whispered quietly in Hivian, "Yorak, Xy sxxw gio di xadtxy tawx dtx puld kg nioswz uyx txuqasf iy tiqw ipp is txuqasf dtxk piy uz qisf uz jizzarqx [Yorak, I need you to either hide the fact my wounds are healing or hold off on healing them for as long as possible]."
He could sense the little light's discomfort at the request to do the opposite of his purpose to his bonded partner, but Yorak needed to understand they could not risk discovery. Especially not with the appearance that the Galra druids could sense his already unstable quintessence. "…Ok. I'll do what I can. But if it's serious not even you will be able to stop me."
Keith nodded, he could live with that.
An elevator whirred to life and Keith sunk into a fighting stance watching the Blade member rising from the floor. "Surrender the blade," he said pulling out his own sword. "You cannot win."
"Try me," he grunted quietly before lunging forwards. Their blades clashed and Keith jumped, swinging his leg out as the agent ducked back. Slashing forwards, he growled as they continued their evasion tactics, opting for a fighting style that would've ended up with Lord Shaxx personally interrupting a Crucible to beat their gundja. Flipping the blade in his hand, he stabbed at them, ignoring the next clang of metal before punching, holding back as his fist slammed into their shoulder.
Apparently, he held back too much because they were still able to slam him away with a quick punch to the jaw and a kick in the gut, sending him rolling across the floor. He got back to his feet, and flipped the knife again putting more force into his defense, wincing whenever the other's blade would break through his defense and cut him. What Keith would give for real armor.
The sword slashed down and cut into his right shoulder as he ducked out of the way. He couldn't hold back a cry of pain, nor the resulting punch that gave a loud crack as he hit them. Separating they panted for a moment, Keith was relieved to see he didn't kill his opponent, but that shoulder did not look right.
Lunging again, Keith lashed out with the knife, ducking as a fist swung towards his face. Pain exploded in his injured arm and he cried out as it was pinned behind him and a sword touched his nape.
"Surrender the blade and the pain will cease," the other growled, sounding winded.
"I won't quit," he stated ducking his head down and pressing his left hand to the floor as he kicked upwards with his legs. Twisting his torso, he kicked the agent away, catching himself in a crouch before standing up straight clutching his wounded shoulder. Looks like this would be one Yorak would need to slowly heal rather than handle it like the already gone bruises and minor cuts.
"Then the pain continues," the soldier grunted getting up. "You are not meant to go through that door."
Whatever, he was going to win. Victory or death, right? That was the Galra way.
Storming into the next room, he found himself facing two opponents. The left one shot at him first, jumping over, he parried the sword before ducking as another sword swung over his head. The left one lunged from where he landed and Keith jumped out of the way, rolling under the sword of the second before swinging at them. The blocked and kicked, slamming their leg into his right arm with a crack that Keith was sure was his own arm judging from the pain.
It would heal, wounds always healed.
-.-
"This isn't a fair fight!" Shiro protested as Keith cried out in pain. He was already hurt, why would they let this continue? Even back in prison he and Jaz got treatment and rest between fights, the other guy was getting treated right now, so why did Keith have to continue?
"Nor is taking on the Galra, yet that is the fight we face," Kolivan replied coldly as Shiro winced as Keith was flipped on his back landing painfully. Yet he still got back up, practically becoming a blur as he attacked the larger one, ducking under his sword and taking out his legs, before rolling out of the way of the second.
"Come on Keith."
-.-
"Surrender the blade and the pain will cease," one of them said as Keith panted, getting back to his feet.
"Never."
"You are not meant to go through that door."
Keith jogged through, only slowing his charge just enough when he saw the next three rise from the ground to make sure he wouldn't kill them. He managed to injure one, broke their leg by the looks of it. The other two got payback.
He went to four. Even more pain for him, and more injuries for them as he began to lose his restraint.
Five, he got a deep cut in his leg and some broken ribs. Two of them wouldn't be able to walk for a while.
At six, another blade hit his wounded shoulder and Keith actually let out a spark that was masked as his knife clashed with another sword before he was forced to dodge three of the others.
Seven, he hit one in the chest and there was a sickening crunch and they collapsed, still alive, but definitely possessing broken ribs. Another had a bone peeking through their leg. Keith got a cut across his abdomen.
-.-
"How long does this go on?"
"Sometimes, the greatest challenge is knowing when to stop."
"He'll never quit."
"One way or another, this will end. Knowledge or death."
-.-
"How long has it been?" Allura questioned stopping her pacing.
"Roughly ten vargas."
"We cannot just wait here."
"In case you haven't noticed Princess, there isn't much we can do," Jaz reminded from where she was lying on the ground. "Not unless you want to be, A: sucked into a black hole, or B: burnt to a crisp. Take your pick."
"Isn't the path closed for like, I don't know, another thirty vargas or something?" Lance asked.
Coran typed on the monitor, "That's actually correct."
"Really?" Hunk said.
Lance cracked his knuckles, "Yeah, I wasn't born yester-quintant!"
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day," Jaz acknowledged.
"Hey!"
"I have to know what's going on down there," Allura said.
"There's no way to get a reading on their base," Pidge informed. "Too much interference from the solar flares and black holes."
"If we account for the gravitiational lensing maybe we can reduce some of the noise and interference and connect with the Red Lion's sensors, right?" Hunk suggested. "That's right. Right?"
"Are you looking at me?" Lance asked with a shrug.
"We can try," Coran said.
"Get on it."
-.-
Keith tried to keep down the tired tremble in his body from all the fighting he'd been doing. He wasn't even sure how long he'd spent fighting each group through the pain in his shoulder and increasingly uncontrollable light. The more rounds he did the harder it got to hold back, if he kept this up someone was going to die in a burst of light and ash. There had to be someway out of the loop, there was more to the challenge, there always was more to a challenge. He just needed to slow down enough to find it.
They each started stepping off the platforms they came up on and they started lowering. There. That was what he was missing!
Going into a full sprint, he put all his strength into throwing the blade, making it too fast for any of them to knock out of the air before it became lodged between the small doors. Kicking the first two aisde, he dropped under a third blade before grabbing them and hurling them into the others with his good arm. Sliding between the legs of the last on he grabbed his knife and jumped down the shaft.
He stumbled into another room, holding his throbbing shoulder chuckling lightly. "Guess I really wasn't supposed to go through that door," he huffed. Jaz always said Titans like him always charged into things without thinking them through. Guess she was right.
Seeing double for a moment, he slowed his steps trying to regain some bearings as darkness consumed his vision.
Keith slowly opened his eyes, hearing footsteps walk towards him. When did he end up on the ground? Did he black out? Or did he die? It didn't feel like he died, his body was still throbbing with pain, that should've healed by now. It would've healed by now if he were dead.
A shadow stopped over him, and he focused his vision, relaxing as he saw a familiar form above him.
"Hey, man. You did it." Shiro held out a hand, and Keith stretched out his arm, ignoring the pain as he was pulled to his feet. He could live with pain, he had before, he could get over it.
"Shiro?" he grunted making sure he could stand on his own before looking to the Black Paladin.
"Kolivan told me you lasted longer than anyone ever has in those battles."
That meant nothing, he should've figured out the exit sooner. The only reason he was in there so long was because he was too impatient to think things through and figure it out.
"You don't have to keep this up."
"What…what are you talking about?" Keith questioned taking a step back. Something didn't feel right…
"Just give them the knife Keith, let's get out of here," Shiro continued ignoring the panic that Keith knew he wasn't hiding. Something was very wrong.
-.-
"What is this?" Shiro questioned. "Is that a hologram?"
"His suit has the ability to create a virtual mindscape," Kolivan answered. "It reflects the wearer's greatest hopes and fears. And right now, your friend desperately wants to see you."
Shiro looked at this twisted version of himself standing in front of Keith, he felt sick. What were these trials doing to his best friend, his brother? They were literally using him against Keith. Why? Keith had done nothing to deserve that…thing that was toying with him. Sure that knife may've been questionable, but Keith was admimant that he had it his whole life. He had to be telling the truth to some degree.
Right?
-.-
"What is it with you and that thing?" Shiro questioned, his voice practically turning into a growl as he motioned to the knife in Keith's hand.
"Shiro, I know there's a lot I haven't told you, a lot I haven't been all that honest about. But this is one of the last things I have left of my past. It's my chance to learn who I really am," he confessed.
"You already know who you are, a Paladin of Voltron. We're all the family you need."
"Takashi, you're my brother, but please understand I have to do this," Keith pleaded. Shiro needed to understand why this was so important to him.
"No. You don't, so just give them the knife!"
"I can't do that," he said, standing up straighter feeling his ribs realign. Why was Shiro being so pushy about this? He was never like that before. Even right before the start of the trial he finally surrendered and agreed to let Keith go through with it. What changed?
"Just give up the knife Keith! You're only thinking of yourself, as usual!"
Keith didn't bother to hide his flinch. Shiro…Shiro didn't really think that did he? Was he really being selfish? He could sense Yorak's distress at the thought, evidently the ghost didn't feel the same way. "Keith, I know Shiro as well as you do. This isn't right. I think he might be a fake."
Keith could agree to that, Shiro wasn't acting like himself. "I've made my choice," he said quietly, refusing to make eye contact with one of the few people he called family.
"The you've chosen to be alone," Shiro barked, whirling on his heel and storming away towards a bright light.
Bile crawled up his throat. What if he was wrong? What if that was just Shiro finally speaking his mind, saying what he really thought? "Shiro! Wait!" he called taking a few steps forwards.
Wind ruffled his hair and Keith stopped dead in his tracks. He stood on a patch of grass near a railing, staring out over a sprawling city surrounded by gleaming white walls, the moon-sized Traveler flying above.
He…he was home?
An explosion sounded and Keith turned, looking in the direction past the hangars and towards the mountains. Smoke, why was there smoke? Did another of Amanda's or Cayde's experiments blow up again?
"Keith?"
Said young man froze at that voice, he knew that accent, it was the same one he worked to hide while growing up in order not to get made fun of while he lived on Earth. Gulping, Keith slowly turned to see a man in white and red armor, a black sash on his hip, dark blue eyes, brown hair, a small scar on the right eyebrow perched on the spires jutting out from the walls, letting Guardians mount and dismount their dragons and wyvern.
"P-Pop?" he gasped looking at the man he hadn't seen in years.
A wide smile broke out on the older Guardian's face as he got up, swinging over the railing. "You're home, son."
Another explosion rocked the walls.
"It's alright Pal, don't worry 'bout what's goin' on over there," Allen reassured putting a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be fine as long as we stay here. Don't ya wanna to stay and catch up? Hear about the Red War?"
"Of course I do."
Allen smiled, putting his hands on his hips with a chuckle. "Son, so many years've passed. Look how much you've grown. I've got almost as much to tell you as I'm sure you have'ta tell me."
The explosions began again, and Keith looked back towards the smoke, looking at everyone else in confusion. Why was no one panicking? Was it a drill? A Crucible? Gambit? Cayde letting the younglings play with the missile launchers again? "What is that?" he questioned walking over to the boardwalk as a strong hand rested on his shoulder.
"Trust me kiddo, everything's fine."
Shrugging out of the grip, Keith stepped out into the open and froze. It was the desert, Earth, back at his house. There was a Galra ship razing everything to the ground, he could hear people screaming. He could see Red, up on a ridge, he had to get to her! His dad could round up the others! Start an evacuation, get the civilians out as any remaining Guardians handled the invaders.
"Dad! I've gotta go! There's people that need us to—" he said turning to find himself in the livingroom of their house.
His father stood near the bookshelf, holding the knife. "Don't you wanna know about where you came from?" he asked holding up the glowing blade. "Your mother gave this to me, she wanted you to have it."
"Mom?" he whispered quietly. These were the answers he wanted, but…he couldn't just abandon those people.
"Don't worry. She'll be here soon."
-.-
Shiro watched as Keith collapsed to the floor, seeming to be in pain. These people were messing with his head! Shiro knew all too well on how it felt to have someone mess with his head, it was still difficult for him to determine what was real because of Haggar's experiments. He couldn't let that happen to his little brother. "You need to get him out of there!" he said turning to Kolivan. Keith had to be done. He figured out their stupid trick with the fighting, he didn't give in to the pressure of someone he trusted, the trails had to be over now!
"He can decide when to leave."
"You're messing with his mind! You're going to kill him!"
The masked rebel leader looked at him through the glowing mask. "Knowledge or death, Shiro."
He really hated that damn Galra mantra and any variation of it. Whirling around, he stormed to the doors, he'd had enough watching this torture. Keith needed him. "I'm calling this off."
Two of the Blades stepped in his way.
-.-
"Dad! Please! Just tell me quickly! I have to know!" Keith pleaded shifting nervously from foot to foot as he stood near the door. "Where did the knife come from? What does it mean?"
"Your mother's almost here," he said. "She'll explain everything, I promise."
There was the sound of a bomb dropping and Keith ducked as the fiery light flashed outside. They were getting closer. "Pa! I can't wait around anymore! I have to go!" he said turning towards the door and grabbing the knob.
"If you go out that door, you will never find out who you are."
Keith could feel the tears pricking his eyes. Why? Why couldn't his father just tell him? Why wouldn't Yorak tell him? Why was everyone so insistent on keeping him from knowing his mother? Keeping him from knowing who he was?
Looking back at his pop, he felt his heart sink. He knew this could very well be the last time he ever saw him. "Goodbye Pop."
Opening the door, he walked out into the red light.
-.-
"The Red Lion's moving!" Allura exclaimed as they all shot up hearing an enraged roar.
"We've gotta get down there!"
"It won't be ready for five more minutes!" Hunk informed.
"Hold on, we don't know that they're in trouble. They could just be getting ready to come back to base," Jaz said trying to calm everyone down before it all fell into pandemonium.
Red fired at the base.
"Nope, Keith's in trouble," Jaz deflated. What did he do? She told him not to do anything stupid!
-.-
Shiro stopped struggling against the agents restraining him as the base shook. Looking back at the screens, his heart stopped as the cameras broke into static. What was—Red. It had to be Red, she was unusually protective of Keith. She had to have felt he was in danger.
A blade ran in bringing words of confirmation. "The Red Lion is attacking the base! It's trying to break through!"
"It has a link with Keith! It knows when he's in danger. It's coming for him," he warned.
Some of the roof caved in and the blades jumped. Taking the opportunity, Shiro elbowed one in the gut and pulled himself out of the other's grip, sprinting out into the hall. He needed to reach Keith. With Red attacking like this she could bring down something on top of him!
Sprinting into the room, Shiro was releaved to see Keith untouched by debris and slowly regaining consciousness. Being careful of the wounded shoulder, he lifted Keith to his feet, slinging an arm over his shoulder for support. "Keith are you ok?"
"Stop what you're doing!"
"What're you talkin' 'bout?" Keith grunted, almost sounding like he was slurring. Shiro cursed, he either had a concussion or was feeling after-effects of the mind manipulation. "What's goin' on?"
The area rumbled again as Red attacked.
"Call off your beast!"
"Move out of the way! We're leaving!" Shiro demanded tightening his grip, they might need to run, Keith was in no condition to fight.
"You're not leaving with that blade! It does not belong to you. You failed to awaken it!"
"What does that mean?!" Keith demanded sounding more like himself.
"Give up the blade!" Antok hissed running for them.
Shiro growled and activated his arm. Keith wouldn't fight so hard to keep a knife for no reason, there had to be some degree of truth in what he was saying. He was not going to let them take it.
"Wait!" Keith called holding it out. "Just take the knife."
Shiro lowered his arm in surprise. Why? He'd fought so hard to keep it and now…
"It doesn't matter where I come from. I know who I am. We all need to work together to defeat Zarkon, if that means I give up my knife, fine. Take it."
The hilt began glowing and Shiro shielded his eyes from the light. "You've awoken the blade."
Seriously, what did that mean?
The light faded and Shiro stared, the knife had been replaced by a sword. Guess that's what they meant.
"The only way this is possible is if Galra blood runs through your veins."
Keith froze and Shiro watched his brother's world shatter in his indigo eyes.
